With the Indy 500 in the books and the quick turn around, it was time for the Nextel Cup Series longest race, the Coca-Cola 600 from Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, how would it play out with the harder tires, the 13.5 gallon fuel cell and the must needed racetrack repaving..
The 600 was a longer version of the All-Star race, and I would describe as frustrating from the first caution flag coming out on lap one when R. Gordon's bone-headed move going into turn three that took out Jarrett, to the endless pitstops, I lost track how many times they pited and for what, the pitstrategy was interesting with just fuel or fuel and either two or four tires, but having to pit every 18 mins or so was outragis and seeing that clock come up every now and then and once it come up, something would happen on the track to bring out yet another caution flag.
The did however like the race once the sun finally went down and the race was finally under the night sky, by that time, you know what you had, the last 100 laps was interesting, they got down to racing.
There were a couple of positive things about the race and one big surprise to me, first, I agreed with Jeff Gordon in what he said during his interview about the harder tires, the racetrack and that they could have put on a better show, second, good side-by-side racing for the remainder of the last 100 laps, third, no more "this is my house" from Jimmie Johnson, sorry Jimmie its not funny anymore and finally, that Kasey Kahne not only survived, but won the Coca-Cola 600.
The 600 was just what DW commented "the race will be more getting on and off to pit road than on the track.", well put.
Final thoughts on Memorial Day Weekend racing from Saturday to Monday..
The Craftsmen Truck race from Ohio had its moments with good side-by-side racing, and seeing Ron Hornaday Jr. win, capped off a good Saturday. The Busch Series race "or Cup Lites" was a shorter version of the 600 with 24 buschwackers in the field, enought said..the 90th running of the Indy 500, described as "the Greatest spectacle in racing" lived up to its name creating the 2nd closest finishing of all time with a first time winner, Sam Hornish Jr. over a very impressive Marco Andretti. The Coca-Cola 600 was simply frustrating...and finally a interesting GT race from Lime rock. Great weekend, don't forget to support our troops.
From my desk at home, this is Brian saying See Yeah Next Week..its Dover and Watkins Glen.