The Bud Shootout Saturday nite was a strange race, even for a restrictor plate track. Typically, in order to win at Daytona and Talladega you need another car that will get into a draft with you and help you get to the front.Last nite's race was the first I've seen where late in the race, virtually every car was hooked up with a drafting mate. As the image above shows, the two-car draft with Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray won the race after the race-leading two-car draft of Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin broke apart when Hamlin split off the rear of Newman and attempted to pass him for the win.
As they split apart, thus slowing, the 22-1 express rolled on by, helped in part by the 11 dropping below the double yellow line, out of bounds, while passing the 39. The 11 of Hamlin appeared to cross the finish line first, but was black-flagged.
It's a complete change in the race car paradigm when it takes two to tango. Racin' is always ME against YOU, each in a different car. This two-car deal isn't real racing, but for one night it definitely put on a different show than we've seen in the past. It sure kept my attention and I had no reason to pause the TiVo to go pee pee!
NASCAR doesn't usually like for drivers to go beyond the NASCAR vision for competition. So, we'll have to see what happens between now and the two Daytona 500 qualifying races on Thursday and for the Daytona 500 next Sunday.
My perception is that the RP (restrictor plate) tracks of Daytona and Talladega privide a TV SHOW and typically do not constitute a true race. This two-car deal certainly makes it a race again, while at the same time causes NASCAR to pull what few hairs they have left out of their swelled heads.
My opinion is that the TV Shows will be done once NASCAR leaves Daytona and shows up at Bristol and Martinsville come spring. Then it'll be back to 'boys have at it' and some real rubbin' and racin' short track fun.
Just my opinion,
JD
PS - NASCAR did NOT award twin trophies to win!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment