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An Exciting Pennsylvania 500 Follows Boring Brickyard 400

An Opinion



August 5, 2009

By Chuck Abrams

Chuck Abrams
I don’t know if it was the fact that it was a Monday race or what but the Pennsylvania 500, that was postponed on Sunday, was one of the better races of the year and was desperately needed. Unfortunately, many folks probably did not get to see one of the best Pocono races ever since it was on a Monday and on ESPN. That is not good for the cable TV challenged. And there are more of them than you would think.

The race featured fantastic restarts, seventeen lead changes and Hamlin, whose car was good all day, finally won after being shuffled into the middle of the field on pit stops.

In all honesty, Pocono does not always provide for the most exciting of races. And coming on the heels of the Brickyard 400, it is a bit hard to stay tuned to another long race at another big track. While I was prepared to catch part of the race on Sunday, I was pleased it was postponed and I could go about my day. I tuned in on Monday expecting the usual and was pleasantly surprised to see a pretty good race.

Jimmie Johnson was three laps down at one point and thanks to the Lucky Dog rule, he winds up getting back on the lead lap and finishing 13th -- thus staying ahead of Jeff Gordon by two points in the point standings.

How the heck does that 48 team do it?

While I dislike the Lucky Dog rule, the 48 team plays by the same rules as everyone else and they still overcome roadblocks and stay in contention. Maybe they are on steroids…. Whatever it is, they are an incredible team to come from behind like that.

Many have said that something is going on at Roush Racing, that they have fallen off their game. Well, Carl Edwards, one of the favorites going into the race, sure was not able to capitalize on track position or anything on Monday. Matt Kenseth wound up leading the charge in 11th, Biffle in 15th, Edwards a disappointing 18th, Jamie MacMurray in 20th and David Ragan in 22nd. Not the best of days for the Roushkateers although all cars did finish the race.

Midway through the race it looked as if Marcos Ambrose and David Reutimann would vie for a top ten finish until they ran out of track, talent or time and wound up wrecking each other. On a track as big as Pocono, I am amazed at how often cars get into each other. You would think that at a track where they can easily run 4-wide they could avoid running into each other as much as they do.

It was nice to see a bunch of new faces in the top 10 this week and it really mixed up the chase for the Chase. Kyle Busch has pulled within striking distance of the Chase as have Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers. Reutimann has nearly ruined his chances after staying in contention for much of the early part of the season. He has been running well, but has found trouble too often.

A strong run by Juan Pablo Montoya and Kasey Kahne gave them more wiggle room and Montoya has to be tickled pink that Watkins Glen is up next.

With just five races left before the Chase starts, Greg Biffle, Kenseth, Mark Martin and Ryan Newman must do everything they can to keep from falling prey to Busch and Vickers. With Bristol just weeks away anyone with a hope of making the Chase had better get up on the wheel. While many drivers hate the restrictor plate races since “anything can happen”, Bristol is another place where a dream of making the Chase could be lost or won. If you are off at Bristol, you will get lapped in a hurry and that can make for a long, frustrating night. Even if you are running well, getting caught in a pile up not of your making is entirely a possibility.

As tight as this race for the Chase is, I expect the Bristol race to not be as tame as the spring race. Let’s see some fireworks boys!

Well, that's all for now. Let me know your thoughts.

Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.







Feel free to send Chuck your thoughts on this and other race topics at Insider Racing News.
You Can Read Other Articles By Chuck Abrams

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.

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