Ok, now either everyone is letting me do the blog on this or there's nothing anyone can add on Lee Spencer's article about it...I'm guessing it's the former so thanks everyone since I was obviously asleep when the news broke (time difference and all that jazz).
First off, let me remind everyone that I don't hold Robby at fault for what happened at Montreal. As far as I'm concerned, it was just hard racing by two good road warriors. The only things that spoiled it in my mind was the black flag thing and that Robby didn't at least try to get alongside of Marcos when he punted him off.
Anyway, Robby Gordon has, apparently, spoken to Eddie Wood about the possibility of running a second car this weekend in the Watkins Glen Cup race...with a certain Australian behind the wheel.
After seeing how well Marcos ran at Montreal, I was very surprised when he wasn't on the preliminary list as evidenced by my post about it yesterday (um, does anyone actually know Robby or something since that is rather freaky). You can say what you want about if this is just a conspiracy by Robby and he's only doing this to try to get back into NASCAR's good books or if he is doing this as he recognises that Marcos is a talent on road courses like Robby himself is.
Either way, I think this is a wonderful gesture and I sincerely hope that both the #7 and #77 make the race since it would be really cool to see the two guys who fought tooth and nail (and fender) for the win last time out to be racing together...I just hope they don't take each other off again.
If there's one thing I'll say about Robby, it's that he does everything by instinct...so thanks, Robby, I reckon you'd have redeemed yourself in many Australians (and Ambrose fans in North America) eyes by doing this.
Of course, since this isn't yet reported anywhere else, it may very well be a wind up...but it's the thought that counts right? Scrap that, jayski have Marcos listed as an 'add on' for the Cup race so this could be legitimate.
Ok, it was all looking wonderful for 70 laps in Montreal. My man was cruising along in front and going to win his maiden Busch race in his rookie year.
Marcos, of course, comes from a road racing background downunder and showed on the streets of Mexico earlier in the year what he was capable of doing in the Busch series when they start turning right instead of just left all the time.
He was fast in every practice session and stuck his #59 Kingsford Ford Fusion in fifth for the race. I have no idea why the TV guys said he had slipped under the radar...they must have been watching a different race or something. Ambrose made up a spot at the start by passing Max Papis and was sitting in fourth for the early stages of the race. As the pitstops came and went, it was clear that Marcos had, without doubt, the best car in the field as when the caution flag flew on lap 66 his lead was over four seconds. Fuel was the main issue but once that yellow came out, the crew (and Marcos) all breathed a huge sigh of relief as that was the break they needed to be good to go to the end.
The complexion of the race changed when, ironically, Marcos' teammate blew an engine. Scott Pruett at that time was fending off Ron Fellows when he slid wide on the oil and Robby Gordon was able to sneak past both into second place. When the green flag waved with four laps to go, Marcos pinched a break on Robby going into turn 1 but Robby was able to muscle his way alongside (if the damage to the right rear of Ambrose's car was anything to go by) after getting a better exit off turn 2.
Behind them, chaos was the order of the day as Pruett sqeezed Harvick onto the grass and got promptly spun, collecting Fellows in the process bringing out the yellow again. At that time, the TV coverage switched back to show Gordon being hit by Ambrose and spinning...but we don't know exactly when the yellow first flew and who was leading. Nor do we know if Robby saw the yellow and slowed down that tiny bit which caused Marcos to hit him (despite everyone on the foxsport racetrax claiming they know...armchair experts and all that *rolls eyes*).
Regardless, Gordon, understandably, was ticked off at Ambrose and gave him a few friendly love taps while they were behind the safety car. Of course, you knew what was coming at the next restart and Robby paid Marcos back by punting him in turn 2 before going on to win the race...or did he?
NASCAR black-flagged Gordon for not being in the right position when the green waved for the last time so the race got awarded to Kevin Harvick. See, you have to maintain a minimum speed behind the pace car...which Robby didn't since he was backwards on the track. He was supposed to start in 12th or something but took the restart behind Ambrose in second.
Robby said in his post race interview that he was the leader and would appeal the result. Marcos said that he wasn't mad, just disappointed for the whole team at being that close to pulling a win off (how's that for showing class in that situation...some drivers should be taking notes).
In the end, Marcos finished in 7th, collecting the bonus points for leading the most laps (35 in total)...scant consolation for what was a brilliant drive. My feelings right now echo exactly what Marcos said; absolutely gutted at seeing a win slip through his grasp.
When asked afterwards about possibly just letting Robby by when the green came out for the final time, Marcos offered up this; "We were talking about whether we should pull over and let him pass, but you know, I've got two laps to go and I'm trying to win the race. If somebody is going to take me out, they're going to take me out. If they feel strong enough, they're going to do it. I'm not going to go into it."
Despite his seemingly calm demeanor, Marcos admitted that he would probably be needing therapy for a couple years to get over being that close to a historic win.
Marcos' dream of getting his first win were ruined by the front end of Robby Gordon's car
Gordon has said that he didn't think what Marcos did was intentional (about 2:00 in)...if that was the case, then why was he so annoyed with Marcos?
Oh well...there's always Watkins Glen next week I guess.
Marcos Ambrose; the moral victor of the inaugural Montreal Busch series race.
Raceday dawned and we were treated to blue skies in Sonoma…hmm, maybe there’s something to be said about having more races on the West Coast purely for better weather.
Anyway, Robby Gordon took the lead into turn 1 and was intent on sailing off into the distance, but by the end of the day we had our third first-time winner in five races as Dodge got off the mark for 2007 with Juan Montoya storming through the field from outside the top 30 to score Ganassi’s first win since 2002.
Juan Montoya celebrates his first Cup win at Infineon Raceway
No new names added to the list this week as I have reconsidered my previous idea of punishing Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson by not classifying them in the race, so Boris misses out as Jeff keeps his two points for finishing in 7th:
Tez's NASCAR Race Championship Standings - after round 16
1 - Jeff Gordon, 77* points (4 wins) 2 - Jimmie Johnson, 65 points (4 wins) 3 - Jeff Burton, 43 points (1 win) =4 - Matt Kenseth, 39 points (1 win) =4 - Tony Stewart, 39* points 6 - Denny Hamlin, 38.5* points 7 - Kevin Harvick, 30 points (1 win) 8 - Kyle Busch, 29.5* points (1 win) =9 - Carl Edwards, 25 points (1 win) =9 - Mark Martin, 25* points 11 - Martin Truex Jr, 24* points (1 win) 12 - Ryan Newman, 21* points 13 - Casey Mears, 17.5* points (1 win) 14 - Juan Montoya, 15 points (1 win) =15 - Dale Earnhardt Jr, 14 points =15 - Greg Biffle, 14 points =17 - Clint Bowyer, 13 points 18 - Kurt Busch, 12 points 19 - Jamie McMurray, 9 points 20 - JJ Yeley, 8 points =21 - David Gilliland, 6 points =21 - Jeff Green, 6 points =21 - Kyle Petty, 6 points =24 - Reed Sorenson, 5 points =24 - Mike Wallace, 5 points =26 - David Ragan, 4 points =26 - Brian Vickers, 4 points 28 - Elliot Sadler, 3 points =29 - Kasey Kahne, 2 points =29 - Ricky Rudd, 2 points =31 - Bobby Labonte, 1 point =31 - Scott Riggs, 1 point =31 - David Stremme, 1 point
The man on the move was, unsurprisingly, Juan who jumps into 14th outright due to the win. Next up, we head back East (so good odds for another rain delay) to New Hampshire where Kyle Busch will look to repeat his win from last year.
We hit the streets this time as the Cup teams tackle the road course at Sonoma near Napa Valley; the wine capital of California.
The biggest news was to hear that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson would sit out qualifying due to...car infringements shall we say. If Tsfan is anything like myself (highly unlikely I know, but just stay with me here), then she is rather miffed at what to think now after photo says she reminds him of Jeff (while I get Jimmie).
Anyway, Jamie McMurray went out reasonably early and had to wait as the rest tried to pinch pole from him but all ended well. Jamie scored his third career pole and first on a road course.
After starting 2nd for last years race, Jamie McMurray went one better by grabbing pole
Due to some guys being real good on road courses, the number of drivers with points has jumped from 33 last week to 36. Robby Gordon was the big gainer this week, getting his first points of the year to leap up to equal 24th. Despite having to start from the back and scoring no points as a result, the other Gordon keeps his spot at the top:
Tez's NASCAR Qualifying Championship Standings - after round 16
After Happy Hour, the guys who look in the best shape going into the race tomorrow are Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Jeff Burton with Ron Fellows looming as a dark horse.
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
