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That’s the way racing ought to be
By admin | September 21, 2008
By Richard Allen
At the end of the Camping World RV 400 several announcers and others claimed it was the best Dover race ever. I take issue with that statement. It was the best NASCAR race on ANY track in quite some time, with the possible exception of the restrictor plate tracks.
After a lap 350 caution for Juan Pablo Montoya’s blown tire, the race to the checkered flag was on.
As it turned out, the issue would be settled between three teammates from the Roush Fenway Racing stable. Carl Edwards’ team opted to change only two tires during his final pit stop. His RFR counterparts Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth had new rubber all the way around.
When the green flag dropped the three drivers raced as hard for the win as any drivers have raced in recent memory. Edwards took his turn at the front at first then Kenseth and Biffle would each eventually replace him at the top of the scoreboard.
The refreshing thing about the race to the finish was that each of the three wanted to win. There was no “points racing” or team orders to dictate the finish. On more than one occasion it looked as if there might be an accident, with several bumps and brushes taking place.
With that being said, however, the racing was hard, but clean. No one driver seemed to feel the need to simply run over the others. They proved that hard racing does not have to be the same as dirty racing.
Eventually, it was Biffle who wound up with the win, his second in as many weeks. However, no matter which of the three won, those in attendance and watching on television got what fans would love to have every week, hard racing for the win.
Richard Allen is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association. His weekly column appears in The Mountain Press every Wednesday.
Topics: Articles |
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:55 am
I could not agree more that the race at Dover was the best race this year.
I suspect that once all of the drivers get this new car figured out, there will be more racing like sunday.
Of course, I still do not like the new “IROC” type car and probably never will.
I’m in favor of getting away from the COT and even the common template cars and have cars that, at least, appear to be what you can buy from the showroom.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
You are correct! this was the best race of the year!
I still would like to get away from the COT! I agree with The Old Guy, Nascar was built on competition between the car manufactuers and they need to get back to it, no matter how Nascar wants to think, we are still a big part of it!
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Richmond fall race was fantastic. Seeing Jr put Kyle into the wall was the frosting on the cake.