What we saw on Sunday is why we continue to watch this sport. There were a record number of leaders, beating and banging, pit road missteps, triumphs, heartbreak, fights and fingers. That was a race I don’t think anyone will soon forget.
Don’t Mess with NASCAR
Kyle Busch learned this lesson Sunday. After getting spun early in the race, Busch was penalized for speeding on pit road. Angry about the penalty Kyle displayed his displeasure to the official assigned to their stall with a middle finger. After exiting pit road NASCAR again called Kyle down to serve a two lap penalty for his trangression.
The moral of the story? You may not like what NASCAR does, but don’t disrespect them. On a side note, I have to say the video from the incident was pretty entertaining. Kyle may not be your favorite driver, but you have to admit, he fills his role very well.
There’s a Fight on The Backstretch!
Of all the guys to get in a fight, those were probably the last two I would have named. Still, that was some emotion like we haven’t seen in a while.
As Jeff Gordon launched toward Jeff Burton all I could think was, “there’s a fight on the backstretch!” And there was.
The impetus for this fight may or may not have been accidental. Clearly some tempers flared prior to the incident, but Jeff Burton isn’t the kind of guy to end someone elses day and his own. Either way, that was entertaining.
The Pit Crew Change Heard Round the World
The #48 pit crew had a bad day… a very bad day. Add to their screw-ups on pit road the embarrassment of getting yanked off the job in the middle of the race in front of millions of people. I’d be willing to bet that was an uncomfortable flight home.
Unfortunately, this is a performance based business and if your driver is in the hunt for a championship, there is zero room for error. They learned that the hard way today. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are changes to that crew before next weekend.
Taking the Lead
Jimmie Johnson may have finally found a team as good as his. While Kevin Harvick continues his very consistent run, Denny Hamlin and his team are just that much better right now. Hamlin’s main obstacle is Gibbs’ spotty reliabilty. Hopefully, for his sake, it doesn’t bite him in his quest to bring Joe Gibbs his fourth championship.
The long and short of it is, we have got a heck of a points race headed into the final two weeks.
A Flying Brakepad?
To top off a very bizarre race, apparently a brake pad from one of the cars was somehow shot into the tempered glass window of Texas’ Speedway Club. Two people were injured, thankfully the injuries weren’t life threatening.
Please feel free to talk amongst yourselves about the weekend’s events.
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