Meanwhile, Robby Gordon was penalized 100 points, his crew chief fine $100,000 and suspended for six weeks. Here’s where I think they are wrong. The whole deal was found in pre race inspection and corrected. GEM provided Robby with the new nose to convert his Ford to a Dodge. The nose piece supposedly has been submitted for approval but not yet approved. It looks to me like GEM tried to pull a fast one and use Robby as a test bed for the new nose but they got caught. I hope Robby appeals this and the proper action is taken against GEM who should have known better. Robby had a great eighth place finish and is now relegated to forty second through no fault of his own. I’m left wondering if it were anyone but Gordon. I believe Robby just wanted to race, not cheat his way in.
I’ve read numerous articles about the Daytona 500 and it didn’t take long for the naysayer to label it dull, boring, a snoozer. Well folks, this was a typical Daytona back in the day. The new car spread the field out with various packs of six or eight cars lining up until crunch time. We didn’t have the forty cars two and three wide packs like the old car commanded. The car, by design, requires more input from the driver and common sense prevailed with drivers minding their driving and, for the most part, staying out of trouble.
On the other hand, I also read several articles that declared it a good race thanks to the driving characteristics of the new car. What we ended up with was an unexpected winner that was made possible by the green/white/checker finish. As always, the late stages brought the chance takers into the picture and the cautions causing cautions mantra took hold. This ensured a bunched up field with around twenty cars having a shot at the win. The predetermined winners of Stewart and Busch got snookered and we had the Newman and Busch duo taking first and second.
The 1979 Daytona 500 was atypical. Allison and Yarborough were fighting for the lead with a twelve second lead over the trio of Petty, Waltrip and Foyt the only cars still on the lead lap. Let’s face it, the fight is what made the race, not the Petty, Waltrip one two finish. Unlike the 79 race, we had thirty four cars on the lead lap simply because the new car drives more like those in 1979. I’m not one to give many accolades to CA$HCAR but I think they have a winner with the new car.
One thing I’ve written extensively on and now appears to be a major drawback to the real racing His Highnass, King Brian espoused wanting. The top thirty five rule simply has to go. I hate to beat a dead horse but far too many noted writers are making the same observation. When the ninth fastest qualifier has to load up and go home there is far more than stinky fish in Denmark. They say a fish rots from the head down. The head of CA$HCAR is stinking big time and his racing world could well rot from under him.
After the glitter of Daytona the lost land of California rears its ugly head. While fifty cars are entered for the CUP race, we only have forty four for the
Nationwide and only thirty five for the Trucks. At
least five of those Truck entries appear to fall in
the field filler category. Part of this, I’m sure, has
to do with the economy and sponsorship woes.
Part of it may also be the simple fact that the top
whatever rules gives many teams the reason to
take the week off instead of the long tow to
nowhere.
First appearances were that the 2008 season
was off to a bang up start with much to promise
going forward. We haven’t made the second race
and the ills of old are settling in. I had hoped to
regain the old enthusiasm for my beloved sport
but the glitter has already fallen and the picture
turned dull. Is there any reason to hope it will brighten up once again?
Until next time, God bless and be safe. Never forget 911 and always remember:
We Are the Land of The FREE Because of The BRAVE!
Mom, Apple Pie, John Wayne & NASCAR Racing. Now that's AMERICA.
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