Talla-disaster!
Well, it's finally over, and just as I predicted last week, the Nextel Cup for the chase got a lot clearer after the UAW-Ford 500 at
Talladega Superspeedway. Well, sort of.
You see, with all the talk of the 'big one' leading up to the race, and how many of the contenders such pileup would take out, no one, but no one would have predicted that two rivals running neck-to-neck in the chase for the cup would initiate what turned out to be not one, but two 'big ones'.
One of those who started the first mess got his comeuppance a little later, but the other skated home free to come within four points of taking the lead in the chase.
For those who missed it, Jimmie Johnson spun polesitter Elliot Sadler going into turn one and the 'redistribution of sheet metal dance' started. Coming off worse was Mark Martin, whose day ended there - along with his hopes of a championship. Rusty Wallace snuck through with minor damage, but it was the beginning of a bad day for Wallace. Johnson - later on - had a
left rear tire explode and got caught up in the second 'big one' to lose his championship lead. He is now fourth, 82 points behind new, or renewed, leader Tony Stewart.
Ryan Newman started the second wreck, when his car turned around Casey Mears, which took out Greg Biffle amongst others, then went on to finish fourth and now is one of four drivers - Newman, Wallace, Johnson and Biffle - who is within 100 points of leader Stewart.
Now, all the talk is going to be of whether or not to have a 'plate' race in the chase. Is it too much of a crap shoot? Should plate races be outside the chase? Well, I think it has to be included. Why? It's probably the best entertainment on television, look at the stands - they're packed. Look what we're talking about this week... talk, especially in the media means dollars, and trust me, it will stay.
Well, it's finally over, and just as I predicted last week, the Nextel Cup for the chase got a lot clearer after the UAW-Ford 500 at
 |
| The Nextel Cup for the chase got a lot clearer after the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. (Photo: Autostock) |
You see, with all the talk of the 'big one' leading up to the race, and how many of the contenders such pileup would take out, no one, but no one would have predicted that two rivals running neck-to-neck in the chase for the cup would initiate what turned out to be not one, but two 'big ones'.
One of those who started the first mess got his comeuppance a little later, but the other skated home free to come within four points of taking the lead in the chase.
For those who missed it, Jimmie Johnson spun polesitter Elliot Sadler going into turn one and the 'redistribution of sheet metal dance' started. Coming off worse was Mark Martin, whose day ended there - along with his hopes of a championship. Rusty Wallace snuck through with minor damage, but it was the beginning of a bad day for Wallace. Johnson - later on - had a
 |
| Now, all the talk is going to be of whether or not to have a 'plate' race in the chase. (Photo: Autostock) |
Ryan Newman started the second wreck, when his car turned around Casey Mears, which took out Greg Biffle amongst others, then went on to finish fourth and now is one of four drivers - Newman, Wallace, Johnson and Biffle - who is within 100 points of leader Stewart.
Now, all the talk is going to be of whether or not to have a 'plate' race in the chase. Is it too much of a crap shoot? Should plate races be outside the chase? Well, I think it has to be included. Why? It's probably the best entertainment on television, look at the stands - they're packed. Look what we're talking about this week... talk, especially in the media means dollars, and trust me, it will stay.