While watching the end of the race play out, after the last caution on Sunday. All I could think about was, how the D.E.I. guys were going to gang up on Tony, and take the win right from under him? Im sure Tony was probably thinking the same thing, as was D.J. and the rest of the A.B.C. announcers because after all, Tony had no one out there to help him. But low and behold, one of the biggest rookie mistakes was made right before our very eyes. When you look back to the last few laps of the race, D.E.I. #### up as a team.
Paul Menard, Regan Smith and Aric Almirola were running 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The screw up came when they should have acted a little more like teammates, and went high or at least gave Smoke something to think about while going for the win. Instead they they hung Almirola out to dry, and went for the win on their own.
The driver’s know that the only way to win at Talladega, and Daytona is to have a drafting partner, and you can’t be greedy or selfish. A good example of that was the season opening Daytona 500, Kurt Busch put all of his feelings aside, and pushed his teammate Ryan Newman across the finish line for the win. You dont get any better example than that, when it comes to plate racing, and winning as a team. The three of them could have drafted each other, went around Tony from the outside, and then raced each other for the win. But instead Menard,and Smith hung Almirola out to dry, and went for the win on their own. Well actually Smith also left Menard on his own, and paid the ultmimate price.
Now I know there is still some controversy amongst the NASCAR fans about what happened. But the bottom line is, NASCAR made their decision, and its their decision that will stick. Looking back, it makes one wonder why didnt the D.E.I. crew chiefs get together, and form some kind o f a g a m e plan, the same way that the Penske drivers did for the 500? After all, a win is a win for the team, as Kurt Busch so mildly put it after Ryan’s 500 win. Greed and selfishness is what costed D.E.I. the win. Not the call by NASCAR. Im Out
Fvr - I think Aric just had a bad restart and that hurt him. But I am baffled too as to why Menard and Smith didn't band together to get Stewart. Even if he blocked one, he couldn't block both and at least one could have gotten around a la Newman and Busch at the 500.
They should have gotten together and came flying up on stewart like a train and then One go way up high and the other go low..cant block them both.
Would have been an easy win for DEI. Looks like Teresa taught them well. Greed equals destruction.
Ahh...Yes...Rookie mistake. Should have dumped Smoke..Lol. I like smoke. Love Dega. But Regan should not have droped down to give him room. I am sure Nascar would found another way to penalize Reagan and give Tony the win....
I was also surprised that the DEI drivers didnt figure out a game plan either. Your solution was a common sense one that somehow wasnt taken advantage of. Hopefully all the drivers will be better prepared should a similiar situation occur again.
I am a Nascar fan from Cali hoping to bring a diffrerent perspective to Nascar. And if not. At least I tried. I also love football, baseball, golf and basketball. I try to attend as many races a year as I can. Ive been to Kansas,Infine on,Phoenix,Ve gas,Californi a just to name a few. Ive been a fan going on about 20+ years. There is nothing like short track racing at Irwindale on saturday nights. Also love to watch and attend drag races. Of course John Force is my favorite driver. Im also a fan of Tony Schumacher. Maybe someday to be able to write about Nascar.
