We're nearly two full weeks removed from the NASCAR Nationwide race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, yet I still can't swallow what I saw.
You call that a race? I certainly don't.
Okay, fine, I'll admit that I'm one of those snobs who prefer road courses. The action is clean and clear. In the case of NASCAR and other stock car series, the races are compelling only for fans of demolition derbies. I was in the pits after the race and I can assure you that every single car had suffered damage.
I have nothing against oval speedways per se; I'm just mad at NASCAR officials for fixing how the races play out.
The final laps in Montreal were pathetic. In my mind, Jacques Villeneuve had the win secured after completing a perfect race and keeping his Dodge Penske in top shape. More importantly, he had the perfect strategy, having saved enough fuel to avoid making a last stop before the end. However, all his efforts went to waste after a series of ridiculous interruptions.
With only three laps to go, race officials decided to wave the yellow flag on three consecutive occasions. Are you kidding me? The race should have normally ended after 74 laps, but it lasted seven more, which meant an additional 31 kilometres!
Villeneuve was planning to run out of fuel right after the checkered flag. Unfortunately, he had to save some of it to cover those 31 kilometres. That allowed Justin Allgaier to overtake him on the very last lap.
Fans were understandably disappointed to see the race end under a yellow flag. If you ask me, such manipulation is completely outrageous. NASCAR should learn not to interrupt a race at the slightest incident, especially on road courses. Don't penalize the smart and talented drivers who had a winning strategy and executed it to perfection.
You call that a race? I certainly don't.
Okay, fine, I'll admit that I'm one of those snobs who prefer road courses. The action is clean and clear. In the case of NASCAR and other stock car series, the races are compelling only for fans of demolition derbies. I was in the pits after the race and I can assure you that every single car had suffered damage.
I have nothing against oval speedways per se; I'm just mad at NASCAR officials for fixing how the races play out.
The final laps in Montreal were pathetic. In my mind, Jacques Villeneuve had the win secured after completing a perfect race and keeping his Dodge Penske in top shape. More importantly, he had the perfect strategy, having saved enough fuel to avoid making a last stop before the end. However, all his efforts went to waste after a series of ridiculous interruptions.
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour |
With only three laps to go, race officials decided to wave the yellow flag on three consecutive occasions. Are you kidding me? The race should have normally ended after 74 laps, but it lasted seven more, which meant an additional 31 kilometres!
Villeneuve was planning to run out of fuel right after the checkered flag. Unfortunately, he had to save some of it to cover those 31 kilometres. That allowed Justin Allgaier to overtake him on the very last lap.
Fans were understandably disappointed to see the race end under a yellow flag. If you ask me, such manipulation is completely outrageous. NASCAR should learn not to interrupt a race at the slightest incident, especially on road courses. Don't penalize the smart and talented drivers who had a winning strategy and executed it to perfection.