Harvick Does the Double
This year, it seems the Nextel Cup races have been remarkably similar to NBA games, and by that I mean that all you really
need to watch is the last two minutes to see who wins.
In the NASCAR version, the now 'traditional' late race yellow sets the stage for the dash to the finish.
This really isn't a true representation, as new tires and a tank full of fuel sort of balance the top ten cars or so out - no one has a real advantage.
However, Saturday night at Phoenix, things were different, and in my opinion, much better. There was no late race yellow, so the tires and fuel that drivers took on some 70 laps earlier was all they had to race to the end.
First, it was Greg Biffle who shot off to a 2 plus second lead, with Tony Stewart
trying to hold on for second. Eventual winner, Kevin Harvick, who was fresh off the Busch win earlier in the same weekend, was back down the field a bit.
But as time wore on, things started to change. Stewart got better, Biffle got worse, so Stewart was able to run him down - then he looked in his mirror.
Here comes Harvick, who slips by Stewart for second, then easily overhauls Biffle for the lead. This is racing!
Even fuel mileage came into the equation, as Biffle ran out with two laps to go, which accounted for his 16th place finish.
Stewart moved up to second - on fumes - and Harvick had enough left to do some serious burnouts on the front straight after the race. Several other drivers had good finishes ruined by running out of fuel.
But this, again, is racing, as it's up to the driver to modulate his fuel consumption, save his tires and have enough 'stuff' left to make it to the end. Last year, remember it was Harvick who lost second place when he ran out of gas on the final lap, but this year, he used what he had, at the right time and ended up in victory lane - twice on the same weekend.
Maybe Phoenix should give NASCAR a clue on future rule changes. You see, if they either used 'quick yellows' or said something to the effect, when the race gets within the final 50 laps, no pit stops
under yellow - race what you got.
I think it would make the series a lot more interesting, and the racing would be more intense. If you did stop under yellow in the final 50, you lost a lap, so it wouldn't be worth it for anyone to stop. What we have now is that those on the tail end of the lead lap stop, and normally they make up places towards the end over cars that should have gotten the spots with all things being equal.
I think its something NASCAR should look at, but next weekend is Talladega, so be prepared for the 'big one'.
This year, it seems the Nextel Cup races have been remarkably similar to NBA games, and by that I mean that all you really
 |
| Kevin Harvick,driver of the Goodwrench #29 Monte Carlo SS, wins the NASCAR Nextel Cup Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway (Photo: Todd Warshaw, Getty Images For Nascar) |
In the NASCAR version, the now 'traditional' late race yellow sets the stage for the dash to the finish.
This really isn't a true representation, as new tires and a tank full of fuel sort of balance the top ten cars or so out - no one has a real advantage.
However, Saturday night at Phoenix, things were different, and in my opinion, much better. There was no late race yellow, so the tires and fuel that drivers took on some 70 laps earlier was all they had to race to the end.
First, it was Greg Biffle who shot off to a 2 plus second lead, with Tony Stewart
 |
| Greg Biffle dominated the Phoenix race until he ran out of fuel in the closing laps and had to settle for a 16th place finish. (Photo: Autostock) |
But as time wore on, things started to change. Stewart got better, Biffle got worse, so Stewart was able to run him down - then he looked in his mirror.
Here comes Harvick, who slips by Stewart for second, then easily overhauls Biffle for the lead. This is racing!
Even fuel mileage came into the equation, as Biffle ran out with two laps to go, which accounted for his 16th place finish.
 |
| An elated Harvick in the winner's circle. |
But this, again, is racing, as it's up to the driver to modulate his fuel consumption, save his tires and have enough 'stuff' left to make it to the end. Last year, remember it was Harvick who lost second place when he ran out of gas on the final lap, but this year, he used what he had, at the right time and ended up in victory lane - twice on the same weekend.
Maybe Phoenix should give NASCAR a clue on future rule changes. You see, if they either used 'quick yellows' or said something to the effect, when the race gets within the final 50 laps, no pit stops
 |
| Harvick, in his Goodwrench #29 Monte Carlo SS, leads Jimmie Johnson in the Lowes Monte Carlo SS. (Photo: Bob LeSieur) |
I think it would make the series a lot more interesting, and the racing would be more intense. If you did stop under yellow in the final 50, you lost a lap, so it wouldn't be worth it for anyone to stop. What we have now is that those on the tail end of the lead lap stop, and normally they make up places towards the end over cars that should have gotten the spots with all things being equal.
I think its something NASCAR should look at, but next weekend is Talladega, so be prepared for the 'big one'.