November 4, 2009
By Chuck Abrams
Because of a last minute warning from NASCAR, we all tuned in to watch one of the most boring races at Talladega Superspeedway in recent memory.
We were also treated with one of the wildest endings in recent memory. But that ending was not fun or safe.
Ryan Newman performed aerial acrobatics that left him upside down for over 10 minutes before he was extricated from his car. When that was all cleaned up, another next to last lap wreck, collected much of the remaining field and sent Mark Martin tumbling down the frontstretch as well.
The wrecks were from what we have come to expect at restrictor plate races when drivers bunch up and jockey for position. All it takes is an ill-timed blocking move, someone lifting out of the throttle ever so slightly, a mechanical issue or just plain ol’ brain schisms on the part of a driver or two to send the cars flying.
This past Sunday race fans were appalled to find a 200 mph parade take place. Some of the best early racing was on the entrance to pit road.
Granted, there were a few times that a driver or two took the pack three and four wide and we were treated to what is some of the most intense racing in NASCAR. But for the most part, the drivers were content to run in single file, just making laps until the end. The fans hated it, the drivers hated it and ABC had to hate it.
There was nothing they could do to spice up the broadcast.
Jimmie Johnson did his best Dale Jarrett impersonation, riding in the back of the train for most of the day.
ABC kept going to his in car camera trying to add at least some different visual angles to the 43-car parade. But there ws not much to say about what he was doing. His strategy was obviously to stay away from the pack and any big wreck that might happen. Scintillating TV, that strategy.
In the end, that plan worked as the final accident caught up much of the contending cars and allowed Johnson to pick up a sixth place finish, just about ending the discussion on whether or not the No. 48 team will win a fourth consecutive title.
Let’s face it. Many fans still “blame” Kenseth’s 2003 title run for creating the Chase. Kenseth captured the championship and won only a single race, but by being the most consistent driver in the garage for the entire year. NASCAR seemed determined that would never happen again. They wanted a champion who went out and won a lot of races gosh darn it anyway. No more of this winning by just getting more points. You have to win to gain those points.
Well, now we have Jimmie Johnson who is ruining the Chase. But it is not his fault, just as it was not Kenseth’s fault. Johnson just happens to be dominant on most of the 10 tracks in the Chase. Which could let you make the argument for changing up the schedule each year to allow for different tracks to be in the Chase and ensuring no one driver would dominate the way Johnson has been allowed to do.
Johnson will win it all again this year. Let’s hope he does not win it next year.
Other thoughts…
Why did the broadcasters keep saying that if Newman had been injured, safety crews would have gotten him out faster. How? I am sure Ryan Newman would have loved to get out much sooner. There were a lot of folks trying to get him out and I am sure they were trying to do their best to keep from accidentally injuring Newman. But I think NASCAR ought to have a new plan for getting drivers out of totally trashed vehicles at Talladega and Daytona.
I will give it to NASCAR that the new car is generally safer. Or is it? The roof flaps in the old cars seemed to work a lot better, keeping the cars on the ground than the new cars. I wonder if the rear wing has anything to do with the cars scary ability to get airborne so quickly and easily. You would think the lowered rear bumper would also help keep air from getting underneath the car. But after the past few years, I have to wonder if there is an issue here. I would love to hear from an engineer on this.
This is not Denny Hamlin’s year. After leading much of the parade on Sunday, his car suffered a race-ending mechanical failure. Hamlin has been so close this year to winning races only to suffer mechanical issues or wrecks, most not of his making. If they can turn around the bad mojo, he could be a contender next year.
Jamie Mac better enjoy this Talladega win. Might be his last for quite some time.
Brad Kesekowski is going to Penske starting this Sunday at Texas and David Stremme is done. Stremme has actually had a couple of decent outings. Too bad there were not more -- and sooner. But he can go back to the Nationwide Series and do well there. I think he may have worn out his stay in Cup racing.
That’s all for now. Let me know your thoughts.
Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.
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