Beatin', bangin', Bristol
Saturday night's race absolutely did not disappoint. There were the usual wrecks, a couple of temper-tantrums and, now, a points race more muddled than it was Saturday afternoon.
Some observations:
* What in the heck got into Dale Jarrett? Sure, he gets ticked off sometimes (and everyone does at Bristol, it seems). But he doesn't have a rep as a headhunter, and his takeout of Ryan Newman was dumb, dumb, dumb. The wreck hurt Jarrett's own chances at making the Chase -- he slid from 11th to 14th in points, 78 points out of the 10th spot. That rash decision could have cost him a million or so bucks and a chance at another Cup title.
* I'll come to Kevin Harvick's defense, because I figure no one else will. If you watch the replay, Harvick's spotter told him to go low, which Harvick did, then he said "Good job," which to me implies the danger's past. So I don't blame Harvick for gassing it and going around a nearly parked Brian Vickers. The problem, which Harvick's spotter didn't mention, was that Newman's wounded car was hiding behind Vickers' machine.
* That said, Harvick's initial refusal to get back in his car and play moving roadblock for the last part of the race is inexcusable, and I think he realized that after he cooled down. But if I'm Richard Childress, I'm going to start telling some drivers that there might soon be an opening at RCR, and it's not the 31. That marriage is over.
* Speaking of the No. 31: Good job, Jeff Burton. Late in the race it was good to see three Virginians -- Burton, Rudd and Sadler -- battling it out in the top 5.
* The Petty team has had a bad enough season without having Carl Edwards trying to take out both Petty cars. Kyle Petty must have more strength than we'll ever have, because I'm sure it took a lot of it not to have one-two'd Backflip Boy after the race.
* There are now six drivers playing musical chairs for the final three spots in the Chase. My picks for when the music stops after Richmond: Gordon, Kenseth and Newman.
* I'd never thought I'd see the day that you call a race, one where Matt Kenseth won and led 80 percent of the laps, "exciting." But I have, and so did you. What a night.
Comments (7)
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Jarrett's move was far, far out of character. I chalk it up to "Chase pressure."
I would be willing to bet Carl Edwards blunted any larger verbal assault by Petty by reminding him of how Scott Wimmer spun earlier in the event.
I agree Harvick is gone from RCR. Early in the year Harvick spoke highly of the team. In the last few weeks he has sounded non-committal, at best. Saturday night's spectacle was inexcusable. His team busts their butt to get the car repaired and he isn't to be found.
Posted on August 29, 2005 6:30 AM
All 5 Roush cars are going to be in the Chase. Unbelievable a team can have all their cars that good.
I (sadly) think Harvick very well could end up in the 97.
Posted on August 29, 2005 3:54 PM
It wasn't as exciting as in years past but it was still Bristol. I only wish that with all of the expansion in recent years that another Bristol and Richmond were built instead of all the cookie cutter 1.5 mile tracks.
Posted on August 29, 2005 8:40 PM
Mark: The proposed Staten Island track is supposedly going to use a Richmond-like design -- three-fourths of a mile D-shape. I'd like to think that's true.
Matt: You really think Roush would hire Harvick after all the run-ins between Harvick and Biffle?
Posted on August 30, 2005 1:49 PM
Can just anyone jump in this thing or is it just a conversation 'tween the three of you guys? Heck , I'll jump in anyhow. I stuck my nose in a few places and had my fenders banged off before so who cares.
On Harvick not getting back in his banged up car; John you nailed it when you said after he cooled down. Come on, give the guy a little credit. He was as hot as the brake rotors at Bristol and Richmond and his not getting back into the car at that point was a smart move on his part.
Now, will he be going to Roush with Biffle? Don't really look for it unless Roush is ready to let Biffle bail and that might be a long shot possibility too.
On Kyle and Carl. Kyle did what a good solid professional would do with a young upstart like Carl. He took him behind the woodshed verbally. I saw the clip of his "talkin to" and Carl had a lump the size of a biscuit in his throat and his eyes looked like they were welled up to bust loose cryin any sec. Sorta like the little boy what hit the ball through the window and his daddy didn't whoop him but the kid wished he had. Oh, and I doubt that Carl threw up anything to Kyle, he's a bit smarter than that most of the time.
On Dale, yep, way out of character for him, but in the heat of the moment and having been wrecked by so many lame brains in the past it was overdue bustin loose. I am surprised that he didn't do it sooner. I probably would have. Still not a good move.
Well, I said my piece. Hope I didn't dent too many fenders and hope after you all read this I still got mine.
Posted on August 30, 2005 6:23 PM
Feel free to jump in, Mr. Produce. We're promise not to do to you what Dale Jarrett did to Ryan Newman.
Speaking of Jarrett, he was testing at Richmond but didn't talk to reporters -- he left Elliott Sadler that task in a previously scheduled conference calls with media types. Dustin will have more of what Sadler said in Wednesday's paper, but here's a taste:
"I think Dale is just upset that we're all trying to race to get into the chase, and he's not going to take it any more," Sadler said. "I'm not either. We've had a couple guys run over us this year. We're going to stand our ground. ..."
He went on for two more paragraphs. The next two races should be wild.
Posted on August 30, 2005 7:41 PM
Sounds like Sadler musta read my post. hahah. Frustration do build up and it sounds like there is going to be a lot of beating and banging to come. Don't mind a bit of it but you have to pick and choose the time to keep someone or a lot of folks from getting hurt. That was true even back in the old days of my dirt track racing over in E.Tenn.
Thanks for not beatin my fenders off.
Posted on August 30, 2005 11:39 PM