Another good race is in the can.
Welcome back Barney Hall of MRN. Those of us who listen to the races on the radio – and web – have missed your eloquent presentations.
The ending notwithstanding, the 2% of the race with 20% still remaining (the battle between the 11 and the 48 ) was well worth the price of admission. It’s that kind of battle that really makes you wish you were there.
My initial reaction to the events at the end was one of despair. It appeared we were robbed of what was to be a great finish by some selfish action. Normally I don’t watch all of the post race interviews. Having done so this time, I was reminded that one should be cautious in reacting to situations before having all of the facts – whether it be about hoodies, “who shot JR?”, or why someone parked their car on the race track. I listened to David Reutimann’s explanation and I believed him. I was satisfied that it was just one of them racin’ deals. Too bad, and move on.
But wait, there’s more. Two days after the race, according to Sporting News, although his car was indeed broke, David said if he wasn’t trying to protect Danica’s points, he probably would have gotten to pit road. You can read it here. Bottom line, even when you think you have all the facts, there may be more. I try to live by the axiom that there are three sides to every story: yours, mine and the truth. It is, however, easy to forget.
But this whole fiasco gets back to Nascar‘s convoluted attempt to limit car ownership and the maze of owner/number swaps that result. Within a couple degrees of separation, somehow the 10 is a de facto Hendrick car, ergo a Hendrick car ruined Hendrick’s day. This is all irrelevant, of course if you’re a Ryan Newman fan. Wait. Isn’t he a teammate of Danica?
Considering the finishing order, I bet everyone is wondering what kind of pre race shot A.J. Allmendinger got to, as he said, ” make me feel better “.
And finally, love him or hate him ( ok, not too many love him ), whatever you think of Bruton Smith, he has never shied away form spending to make the fan’s experience better. The clamor over the Bristol racing has prompted him to spend what it takes to rectify the situation. Personally, I don’t see the problem, but I’m sure he knows better than I. He’s always been one of the very few CEOs who subscribe to what I like to call the “trickle up theory”. Take care of your customers first, and eventually you will reap the benefits.
4.1.79: At Bristol, Dale Earnhardt, in his 16th Cup start, got his first win.
If Ned was in the booth we’d know what’s up with Glenn Allen, Jr.
By Gary Erdakos
Ref: racing-reference.info, Greg Fielden’s “Forty Years of Stock Car Racing”, Richard Sowers’ “The Complete Statistical History of Stock-Car Racing”.
