Anyone who says that road course races do not belong in NASCAR need to go and find a tape of Sunday's race and watch it.
The race at Watkins Glen was probably the most exciting race, well at least one of the top five, of this season.
The two best NASCAR road racers battled back and forth for the first 45 laps of the race. That was until Tony Stewart spun himself out while leading the race. Which caused him to land 20th in the running order.
But the 20 team and its driver did not throw up their hands and quit. Through great pitstops and a driver who drives like his pants are on fire. They were able to regain the track position that they needed to put them in contention for the win.
As the laps dwindled down you could tell that Stewart was a man on a mission. As he passed car after car until he was third, you just knew that if he could get to Gordon, this was going to be a great race to the checkered flag.
As Smoke chased down his teammate Denny Hamlin for second, going through the S's these two teammates ran off into the grass. Opening the door for Gordon to get a slight lead and Carl Edwards to close up on them.
As the teammates came through the grass areas, Stewart and Hamlin battled side by side. But then a caution came out.
Once the green flag was back out, Stewart took the race to his teammate. He finally passed Hamlin for second and Stewart set sail for Gordon.
As Stewart chased Gordon down, one can only wonder could he catch him? Gordon was now showing his hand. Gordon had saved his car and he was now using it all.
But then the unexpected happen. On lap 89, right in front of Stewart going into turn 1, almost the exact same spot that Stewart had spun earlier, Jeff Gordon spun out.
I am sure the look not only on Gordon's face, when he did it, but Stewart's had to be one of pure shock. There are two things that are for certain about Jeff Gordon, he is a great road racer and he doesn't spin out on road courses, especially when he is leading.
So when he spun out and Stewart went sailing by him, I am sure that Gordon was wondering what had happened. I know I sure was.
I had already come to the conclusion with three laps left that Stewart was going to finish second and Gordon was going to win his 5th race of the year.
Guess that is why it is said, "that it isn't over until the flag waves".
To Bump or Not to Bump
Denny Hamlin pondering what if, said over his team radio that he thought about laying the bumper to one Jeff Gordon. But because Jeff Gordon did not race him like that in other races, Denny didn't want to do that to Gordon.
It is a good thing that Mr. Hamlin did not lay the bumper to Gordon and then say this on his team radio. NASCAR would have certainly brought him down for a rough driving penalty.
Was it a Block or Just a Stupid Move
Photo by AP Photo/David Duprey
Now while Hamlin never laid a bumper to Gordon, one Martin Truex, Jr. did lay the bumper to one Juan Pablo Montoya.
As Truex dived low to make a run on Montoya. Montoya drove low in front of Truex. Blocking Truex from making the pass. But what happened next made the race, seem like the good ole days of Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison.
As Montoya blocked Truex, Truex didn't like it. He bumped Montoya, causing Montoya to do spinning. Collecting Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton. Both Richard Childress drivers.
As the cars came to a rest. Harvick gets out of his car and approaches Montoya's car. As Montoya is trying to tell Harvick that it he had been hit from behind. Harvick was hearing him.
As Harvick tries to keep his hands off of Montoya, Montoya grabs the face of his helmet, and the tussel is on. Both guys exchange a few shoves and pulling away of each other's hands. NASCAR officials finally jump in to break up the shoving match. Even level headed Jeff Burton got involved to breakup the two drivers.
Guess Mr. Montoya and Mr. Harvick will not be having dinner together anytime soon.
But oh, boy, wasn't it great to see two drivers toe to toe and taking nothing from the other one.
Oh, how I long for the good ole days.
Tomorrow is Kyle's Day
Well it seems that the worst kept secret at Joe Gibbs Racing will be formally announced tomorrow. J.D. Gibbs has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday at Joe Gibbs Racing at 11 a.m.
It is at this time that, it is expected that J.D. will announce that Joe Gibbs Racing has hired Kyle Busch to replace J.J. Yeley in the 18 Interstate Batteries Car.
I think road races have a place in NASCAR. Takes more driver skill to get a 3400 lb brick through the turns as evidenced by the influx of road drivers in these races. Some of the NASCAR regulars just can't handle road tracks. What a pity..
The race Sunday was an anomaly in the history of NASCAR road racing.
Are there things NASCAR can take from what they learned there and make things better in the future? Maybe. But making things better in Sonoma will be tough.
One thing that wasn't good at WG that is a major problem in all NASCAR road races is the high ratio of time under yellow to time under green.
photogr, It was a great race. I have even went back and watched the race again. I still can't believe that Jeff Gordon spun out with 2 to go.
It does take alot of driver skill to drive these flying bricks on a road course. There are alot more who can handle the road courses, than there were just five years ago. This can only make for better races.
cc1d3r I have to agree that making things better in Sonoma would be tough. But I must admit that the Watkins Glen race was just as exciting if not more so this year, than in years past.
And as far as the yellow, that is just NASCAR. If you are going to watch NASCAR races, you are going to have long periods of time under yellow, like it or not. That is just the way it is.
