NASCAR has found well-rounded success in the most unlikely of places - a ROAD COURSE. This weekends Cup race at Watkins Glen was everything a race should be. You had the close racing NASCAR and its fans prefer, many "quality passes" (in this case, they were TRULY quality passes), and as much drama as I can remember in an auto race.
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Just the sequence in the last 20 laps with Stewart, Hamlin, and Edwards deliberately taking their cars across the grass in a complex series of turns in order to preserve their side by side positions was absolutely INCREDIBLE. That was racing in the old world meaning of the word. The 'shiners would have been most proud.
On top of that, the track was clearly a significant challenge to drive. The best drivers in NASCAR (some of the best drivers in the world) had trouble negotiating the course at speed without losing control of their massively heavy machines - both Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon totally lost control while leading the race. And you had strong road racers trying to bring their substandard rides up through the field, and largely succeeding (Fellows and Gordon), including an incredible sequence where Robby Gordon GAVE WAY to the faster Ron Fellows - probation clearly has produced its intended result. Both of these great road racers were spectacular, gaining nearly 20 positions (well, Gordon did this twice) during the race.
Of course, you had the Montoya vs. Harvick drama which, accentuated by a long red flag period to clean up the fluids left on the track after their wreck, added even more emotion to an already intense race. As funny as it was to see two guys in giant helmets, colorful driving shoes, and funny looking jumpsuits pushing, slapping, and dancing with one another, it definitely added another dimension to the event. Would the young bully engage the less-than-svelte former CART champion and Monaco G.P. winner in a one round full blown street fight? Thankfully, we were spared that excitement. Save something for the next race, I always say ...
And then, the most unlikely drama of all: while leading with just two laps to go, NASCAR's finest driver spins out with a sure victory in his sights. Jeff Gordon will see that one in his sleep for a few weeks. Such an event would NEVER have happened on the relatively easy to navigate, repetitive oval courses they typically run, but a complex road course - another story altogether. Amazing stuff! Absolutely GREAT racing.
I would LOVE to see a road race added to The Chase (as already mentioned in these blogs by other contributors). The best racing so far this year has occurred on road courses, and as Tez has already pointed out, the road courses have let the truly superior drivers separate themselves from the pack (vs. the randomization that seems to occur on the ovals, particularly the restrictor plate tracks).
As you get more and more drivers becoming accustomed to driving on road courses, these races will get better and better. It's hard to imagine how much better a race could be than this weekends race at The Glen, but I'm betting we'll see it happen over the coming years. Great stuff NASCAR!
I've made no secret of my unbridled hatred for road courses in NASCAR. The race at Sonoma earlier this summer is a great example of why.
It was a total snooze fest. As much time was spent under yellow as it was under green. It was a fuel mileage race (those suck to watch). There was very little passing. It was also the very worst COT race of the year.
The race at the Glen yesterday was different.
It was an exciting race EVEN without an old school NASCAR driver fight. Bumping, ####ing, passing.
It was also a big step up over the same race a year ago. The race was a credit to the COT. It seems to work really well at that track in terms of providing great racing.
CCR - agree about the fuel mileage issue. Surely something could be done to reduce the risk that this factor will dominate what otherwise would be great racing - maybe mandatory yellows at certain intervals or something.
Volfan - Great commercial, eh? Love Carl Weathers in it.
Dave-
Great re-cap and I couldn't agree more with you! Some priceless moments coming out of that one. You know it was a good race when Jr blew an engine and is now 100 points out of 12th isn't even news! LOL
I will have to respectfully disagree with CCR on Sonoma, well, sorta...I agree Sonoma was boring this year (I was there) but it was clear many of the drivers were having a tough time figuring out how to drive the "bus" on a road course. (It was pretty funny to watch some of them try to drive it)
I think Sonoma was the testing grounds for WG and allowed for better racing yesterday. Most of the teams had that COT set up. Now we just have to get us some of those gravel pits in Sonoma!
Ya' know what would have made this race even better? Marcos Ambrose being in it.
The greatness of this race does not erase the fact that NASCAR has a seriously screwed-up approach to qualifications.
Further side note: The guys shown above with the sunglasses on the baseball hat. Would someone PLEASE declare an end to this fashion statement? I suppose it's o.k. at a race track, ... but out in the general public? What a bizarre affectation (often coupled with the wearing of a bluetooth earpiece).
Last edited by Dave_in_Indy on August 13th at 9:03 AM.
You know as well as I do that any event where the hottest ticket is to the wine tasting hosted by the Jeff Gordon Vinyards on the eve of the race isn't a NASCAR race. Unless of course JGV starts selling their product with a screw top. I don't know what it is, but it isn't a NASCAR race.
HottieLori.... I liked that guy. I think I've seen him at one of my family reunions...
I agree Dave, that was as close to what "the shiners" did as any other race on the sched. I think the COT was the deciding factor toward that point. It let the drivers be the chief difference in the race. (Maybe, just maybe... Nascar really has a plan.... and a clue...) I thoroughly enjoyed that race..... and this post.
(although..... I had hoped for a different race outcome....)
Dave In Indy
Montoya has proven to me why it is he could never cut it in F1. He just couldn't cut it there ! And if he thinks that he can get away with that sort of behavior in NASCAR ,then he's sadly mistaken. I don't
know that the hell Jeff Gordon was thinking at Watkins Glen but he did himself no favors by being that stupid so close to the end of a race. Did you also see Franchitti's flyout and tailspin ? I bet Ashley Judd can't have been to happy with that ? Twice within the period of ten days.
That was enough for her to pee in her pants or whatever she chooses to wear.
Yeah...sonoma was kinda boring, but Watkins Glen was unreal...and as a Smoke fan....I actually turned off the set when he spun out with 44 laps to go and fell into 19th. Imagine my surprise when I turned it back on and watched that miracle finish! It aint over til it;s over....I'll never give up again on Smoke. Poor Junior...my heart goes out to him. Do you think Theresa is behind it? J/K
Last edited by lisa4usc on August 13th at 4:56 PM.
Dave, what do you reckon about this idea; NASCAR have to give drivers permission before they can race on the ovals (which is why Marcos sat out the first couple races last year), maybe they need to do the same with the road courses.
Anyone who knows anything about racing on them knows that when you get blocked, you go the other way. You don't run into the back of the guy since it creates a chain reaction (I'm looking at *you*, Mr Truex Jr) *rolls eyes*
One of the better races this year with passion, ecitement, and near fist fight. Think TEZ brain washed me but I do enjoy road races. Now if they could only race and qualify in the rain.
The guys in the hats, Maybe they have another set of eyes in them hats.
Merlot? MERLOT?! (... refraining from inserting worn-out "Sideways" reference here). However, there's room for EVERYONE under NASCAR's tent (so long as their security contingent is a good one).
I'm beginning to wonder whether or not Lisa's on to something - someone at DEI sabotaging Jr's engines. I'd be interested to know how many other drivers over the past several years have had so many engine related DNF's.
The road course behavior is getting much better. I haven't seen anything that was horrible (and JPM is the most aggressive driver out there now, and he's an oval AND road course vet).
Enjoying everyone's comments - fair number of folks seem to be enjoying the season so far, yes?
Yep. Enjoying the season so far.
About the Sunglasses,Just be thankful the mullet is gone now.
I've always thought the road courses were the most exciting events. Seems now that many folks agree. Every now and then you'll have a stunk up show with fuel mileage and the like, but most times that is not the case. I still think they could spare us with two Daytona big-ovals and turn one of those events into a road course.
Admit the engine woes for Jr. Sound troublesome and I don't remember if they are into the R07 or not. But I don't belive for a minute that anyone is sabotaging them. What I do believe is: It is hard to make the most horsepower live!
Because of work, I only got to watch the last 20 laps of the race. I will always contend that Montoya was SQUARELY at fault for that wreck that took both him and Harvick out. Truex had a run on Montoya and Montoya cut sharply in front of Truex. I was watching the race on surround sound and could hear the fans screaming for a fight. It came THIS CLOSE to happening. For a moment, I thought it was going to be Yarborough vs. Allison II. (Somewhere ole Cale was smiling)
I love road course races; in fact I went to Sonoma in 2002. I've gotta give props to Carl Edwards who was busting his #### trying to win and took an unplanned detour. And of course, props to Smoke for winning the race.
I've also been hearing that NASCAR may add a road course to the Chase. I suggest a second date for either Sonoma or the Glen.
Road races are by definition fuel mileage races. Fuel mileage is a very key ingredient to a good road race. The best machine tht makes power and saves fuel often wins. That's what I like about road racing.
There you go with JPM couldn't cut it in F1 again. That's just wrong.
Did you hear that Dario didn't know the race was over and that is why he ran over the other car while it was slowing down? He was pissed at himself for that.
I have heard Ms. Franchitti say she thought Wynona was going to pee her pants after Dario won one of those Gibson guitars at Nashville.
I'll agree with the fuel strategy as being an important component of non-NASCAR road racing, but the idea of a fuel strategy win in NASCAR just doesn't fit the formula for me. I'd like to see more road races in NASCAR like this weekends, where fuel mileage didn't play out to be the single, key factor. I don't know if it's possible, but the idea of mandated yellows at certain intervals sounds promising to me.
It's not terrible, and I also don't like the number of full course yellows you see in a Cup road race - but I also don't like "fuel mileage wins" in a Cup road race as much as I like races like Watkins Glen this past weekend.
14Falcons
What is it with the fact that Montoya was a tool in F1 that you don't understand ? He didn't command the respect of his peers because he not only put them in danger with the way he raced but also himself. That if anything tells you all you need to know about the guy. I'd rather have a guy that has the respect of those around him than someone who has no respect of his competitors or bosses at all. Seven win throughout his entire F1 career and that makes him somethinf special ? Lewis Hamilton has only been racing in F1 one year may well have equalled his career total before this season ends. So what's your view on that ?
Let the real men race and the boys who like to play in the sandbox play ! Because that's all Montoya is about ! He's got to learn to treat his competitors with respect.
14Falcons
If Franchitti can't tell that a race has ended and is still going flat out. Then that just makes him an ever bigger fool for doing something that not only endangered him but also several of the other racers on the track. Too eager to please and not eager enough to be prudent and fully aware as to what's happening around him.
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