Did anyone out there think that the Sprint All-Star race was even a little bit exciting? Me neither. The Challenge transfer race was not bad, but the drivers, for the most part, don't have the same skill set as the drivers in the All-Star race do. What's the racing going to be like Sunday night during the 600? My one word answer would be boring, based on the All-Star race. I'm on a streak right now of wrong on my predictions, so the 600 might be pretty good.
Last Saturday night it seemed like we had regressed back to those boring days of yesteryear when 'clean air' was the buzzword. It looked like the driver who was out front was much faster than those trying to reel him in. I don't mean just Kyle Busch. Anyone who happened to get the lead was hard to catch, and hard to pass.
The All-Star race only had 25 lap segments. How strung out will the field be after 40-50 green flag laps Sunday? 600 miles at LMS is a loooong race. Especially if there is no racing up front (where a certain network's cameras will be 99% of the time).
A few questions for the commenters before I close......If the racing is as boring as Han thinks it will be, how many 'debris' cautions will fly?.....How many times will the network All-Star team in the booth use the words 'clean air'? Out of the 400 laps, how many will I sleep through?
In your case, I know you weren't bored because it wasn't a crash fest but a lot of fans only think it is a good race if they see a lot of carnage. Personally 400 green flag laps this weekend will be fine with me AND I think the racing will be much better because it is a points race. Too many teams and drivers had too many different agendas in the All-Star race. I agree with Kristen's comment on another blog that the All-Star race has just become a glorified test session. I predict a great 600. I do hope, however, we don't have to hear "clean air" multiple times from the weak team in the booth.
Hanahan...I was definitely expecting some fireworks this year esp. with all the hype between Rowdy and Jr but there were nothing but duds. I was amused by the yawed out cars but that will not amuse me for 400 laps. I dont want to see a wreckfest but I wouldnt mind some side by side racin'. I am stuck watching every minute of it to write H/N, lets hope the race doesnt end up on Not.
Well, I will note the comments before me. I hope your prediction is wrong, but I think we are going to see some great RACING this weekend. Hopefully :)
HR13...It seems like the racing would be better if there were no points to worry about. I've noticed that Dale Jr's priorities have turned into points first, wins second this year.
There were 5 green flag lead changes Saturday, and two involved blown engines. Not that great in a 100 lap shootout.
This will be our personal shootout...you're predicting "a great 600", while I'm predicting, "ZZZZZZZ".
kristen...thanks for the chime. Side-by-side would be fantastic. I would like to see two of over-yawed cars side-by-side for a couple of laps. The two cars would use up about 5 lanes of the track.
D-Man....My predictions have all been wrong since the season started. Let's hope, for the fan's sake, that the streak continues. Never bet against a streak.
Chuck, is anyone doing the double duty this year? I remember when Smoke (I know you dont like him) did it and got a top ten in both. That is what made me a fan, any reason why nobody is doing that anymore?
P.S. I disagree, I think this race is going to be decent. I think they will be racing in packs, while the leaders will break away, I think they will be relatively tight, as Hoosier said it is a points race, everyone cares.
Pete...No one is doing it this year. I heard that Penske asked Hornish if he wanted to, and Sam said no, he's a stock car racer now. Aww, how cute. He's a stock car racer.
I like Tony's driving style, or I did until this year. Like Jr, he seems as if he's points racing now. And, maybe that's just the 'make the chase' style required today?
I'll send you an email later today about what I've been up to.
- 4 debris cautions
- 8 references to 'clean air'(Although Larry Mac will pronounce it "Clair").
- 0 laps that I will sleep through because I will have had a two hour nap during the Indy 500.
- Oh, you meant yourself? I don't know, man. But I suggest 4 Jager bombs with Red Bull.
Aero-racing sucks. But I don't want 25 cars finishing on the leap lap, either. I would be willing to bet that the last 125 laps are run under green until 5 to go when we see 1 red flag and then 1 green-white-checkers. I take Mark Martin to beat Carl Edwards back to the line.
Hanny, the All Star was a yawn fest. The 600 is 200 too long in my opinion. At least JGR will show up with the proper engine package, which will allow Kyle Busch to be a factor in causing some racing incidents, which seems to be his major objective. Maybe with the multiple pit stops in a 600, stratergy will be interesting. If there are more than 10 cars on the lead lap at the end, I'll be somewhat happy.
mose....I will set your 8, as the over/under on clean air references. I'll take the over.
Mmmm, Jagerbombs! I've had them a few different ways. As a shot with Red Bull only. Also, some places drop that same shot--shot glass and all--- in a half full mug of draft beer. Then you chug. 4 of either will do the trick. How are they served at Frothys?
Oh Hanahan, you are correct. Kyle's major objective is winning races. We heard it from his own mouth, "I don't care how many cars I have to wreck to get a WIN". I stand corrected!
Hanahan--With having monday off because of the holiday im going to be to drunk to care if its boring or not and tell me about wrong preditions.. but at least JR.s in striking distance of the points lead and I hope its going to be a side by side drive em till your wheels fall off race but if not see first paragraph..
In past years when both Tony and Robby Gordon raced the 500 and the 600, it was possible only because the state of Indiana did not follow daylight savings time. This, in effect, gave drivers wanting to run both races an extra hour to get from Indianapolis to Charlotte.
Since the Indiana legislature voted to adopt daylight savings time a few years ago, there isn't enough time for a driver to get from Indy to Charlotte and be in the car to take the green flag.
Hanny,
The green is scheduled to wave at 1:11 p.m. Indy and Charlotte time. Depending on the number of cautions, you have to figure a little over 3 hours to run (2.94 at a 170 mph ave.) meaning a driver could leave the infield in a helicopter for the airport at around 4:30 p.m. Probably means getting out of Indy no earlier than 5 - 5:15 p.m. with at least an hour and a quarter to Charlotte then a helicopter to Lowes. Best case scenario the driver would get to LMS around 6:30 p.m. What time does the 600 start? I'm sure that schedule is too tight which is probably why no one does it now. Did you know John Andretti is running Indy? He first ran it in 1988. Wow time flies.
1100 laps of racing cars is certainly going to have an effect on attention span for most. I for one will be taking No Doze or drinking plenty of caffenated coffee to keep on top of both races.
One last comment, if I may Hanahan. Apparently JPM has ANOTHER crew chief. Didn't he finish 2nd at Dega with Elledge as new cc? Hmmm... may be interesting indeed.
Moseby, Monaco has the lighted tunnel. Back in the 60's I remember a driver died coming out of that into another car. They didn't have it lighted then, and the driver was blinded by the daylight coming out of the tunnel. The movie Grand Prix has a similar scenario early in the movie.
I think there's going to be some good racing in the 600. This whole weekend will be devoted to nothing BUT racing. As for the 600, I think it's going to be either Edwards or Biffle.
jon, don't count the old guy Mark Martin out. I do like Biffle and Edwards though. Wonder if Chad and Jimmy have it figured out? It's their house, it'll be interesting!
Han, great thought provoking thread! Yes the race is too long, must have thought that the fans have a 3 day weekend so they won't miss the time!
Totally agree the leader ain't point racin like the others. Still to early for Smoke though, can't wait for it to get Hot out. He always starts out slow and hits his stride mid year.
Clean Air - I'll take the over, Same for lead lap cars - over. How many referances by DW about Digger? Yawn! The race is long enough to get drunk, pass out, wake up and see the end.
CR Racing - If I'm not mistaken - Wasn't it JPMontoya who bumped Michael Schumacher coming out of the tunnel under a safety car several years ago? The sun off the bay must have been his eyes. LOL
It is probably one of the greatest camera shots in sports to see the ground level picture of the F1 cars going through that structure. The sound is incredible.
