Race Re-Cap: Muscle On The Monster Mile
Sunday, June 1st, 2008 by Jim Mc Coy
I’m honestly not sure that big wreck on lap 18 really did much to affect the outcome of today’s race. Today’s real contenders were nowhere near this mess as it seemed that before we even got here, the race at Dover was about the Roush-Fenway Racing team, the old guard at Hendrick Motorsports, and the ever-present Kyle Busch. He wrestled the Monster Mile and made it cry “Uncle.”
Did you ever have a premonition? I swear when they went to Elliott Sadler’s on-board camera, I was thinking “Watch- he’s gonna wreck.” Sure enough, ol’ “Rabbit Release” moves down on David Gilliland, goes sideways on the track- and next thing you know, a collection of racers- including top runners like Kevin Harvick, Junior, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Clint Bowyer are all wadded up. Could this change the outcome? Note the absence of Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Jamie Mc Murray from this mishap.
Did you catch Tony’s interview? Some fans were saying, “Wow, this is a different side of Tony. He’s taking responsibility for the mess. Why?” I think they missed the sarcasm. Basically, Tony was so much as saying that it’s his fault for being anywhere near Elliott Sadler. That’s the second time in the last few weeks the two have gotten together. I also got a kick out of Smoke’s “dune buggy” line. I appreciate his sense of humor about the whole thing.
By the time the smoke cleared, and Smoke was cleared, it was obvious that there was really only three serious contenders for the win at Dover. Greg Biffle put together another fine effort before mechanical problems set him back. Teammate Carl Edwards once again showed himself to be light on his wheels on concrete. The Roush Gang sure got it done today. Not only did Biffle and Edwards shine, but Matt Kenseth is becoming the 2008 edition of Lazarus as he seems to be bringing his Chase hopes back from the dead. Jamie Mc Murray is running like a guy who wants to stay with the team. But really, but late race, it was obvious that barring a catastrophe, there would be only one real serious contender.
Kyle Busch is just on one of those runs that drivers have from time to time. Don’t get me wrong, you have to be talented and have good equipment to do it, but it also helps to have Lady Luck in your corner. She’s got a real affinity for “Wild Thing” right now. But again, remember that “Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.”
If you don’t like him, give him credit for this much: he spread the love around. Busch was quick to credit his crew for good stops, to Joe Gibbs for their top flight organization, and for all his fans and all NASCAR fans.
Maybe’s he’s learning something. Nobody likes a champion who is not gracious.
The way he’s going right now, I wouldn’t bet against him. All the ingredients are there to take it all in 2008. I still think Edwards, Junior, Jimmie and maybe even the old guard like Gordon, Smoke, JB or even Biffle may have something to say about that- right now, it’s “Rowdy’s World” and we’re living in it.
Other random thoughts…
Brian Vickers’ pit penalties sure screwed up a good opportunity to have an awesome finish….did you see Paul Menard weave through that big wreck? Dinging the inside barrier looked like a better altnernative than getting crumpled up in the middle of the crash….FOX reported their NASCAR ratings were up this year, so much for the death of NASCAR, huh?….Jeff Hammond made a good point and I must concede that I agree. Unlike free-agent-to-be Greg Biffle, who’s stated he’d prefer to stay at Roush, you don’t hear how Smoke want to stay at Gibbs. He may be gone- or he’s screwing with the media big-time…The speculation that Franchitti will give up NASCAR was something I foudn interesting. There seems to be a school of thought that this “stock car thing” is harder than it looks…According to Darrell Waltrip, even Sam Hornish is not sure a sure bet to stick around.
It’s all the drama that keeps us watching, and helps us endure a race like today.
Spread the Boom:
6 Responses to “Race Re-Cap: Muscle On The Monster Mile”
jimmccoy22
You may have a point Tim, yet look at the outcome in the standings. In spite of Jr.’s troubles, he’s still 3rd. About the only driver dramatically affected by the wrekc was Denny Hamlin.
On a more narrow focus, however, my point at the end of the day is that Busch dominated the race and I don’t think Earnhardt, Stewart nor anyone else in that wreck had anything to challenge him.
[...] Race Re-Cap: Muscle On The Monster Mile14 hours ago I’m honestly not sure that big wreck on lap 18 really did much to affect the outcome of today’s race. Today’s real contenders were nowhere near this mess as it seemed that before we even got here, the race at Dover was about the …The Finish Line - http://nascar.fanboom.com [...]
[...] Race Re-Cap: Muscle On The Monster Mile14 hours ago I’m honestly not sure that big wreck on lap 18 really did much to affect the outcome of today’s race. Today’s real contenders were nowhere near this mess as it seemed that before we even got here, the race at Dover was about the …The Finish Line - http://nascar.fanboom.com [...]
And, I understand that, Jim … but, this was just one of those races that, to me, was going to all boil down to pure circumstances. I didn’t think that Kyle Busch had the best car all day, and I’m not entirely convinced that it was the best car at the end of the race. All day long, the car out front was just dominant, and there were very, very few green flag passes for the lead. Again, I doubt that we would’ve seen a different race winner, but it could’ve shaken up the frontrunners.
As for the Chase contenders, what the wreck did was destroy any comfort zone they had. There’s a handful of drivers that were “solidly” in the top-12 going into Dover, but now they’re just “in”.
Ah, but Tim, you know as well as I do know…winning is more than just a fast car. Teamwork matters and I thought it was cool he gave props to the crew.
This probably (it pains me to say it as a Fontana native) was my least favorite race of the season. I think the Busch- Edwards rivalry will stand up for years to come.
Tim Zaegel
I’m not sure that it’s entirely fair to say that the wreck didn’t do much to effect the outcome of the race. Would Kyle Busch have still won? Sure … probably. But, that doesn’t mean that some of those cars such as Stewart or Junior couldn’t have competed for top-five’s.