This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew brings you fireworks, patriotism, and lots of analysis, spaghetti-western style. This week's edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly is served up Florida-style, with plenty of orange juice to wash it all down. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Tony Stewart: as the race winner, he automatically gets first billing. Smoke dominated the race, leading the most laps, 86, and surviving a wild crash involving Kyle Busch. Busch went to block Stewart and made contact, sending him flying near the start-finish line as the race was winding down. Stewart was subdued as he celebrated in Victory Lane. He didn't like the way the race ended, with Busch flying.
Denny Hamlin: he led the second-most laps (63) en route to a third-place finish. He steadily worked his way to the front after the green flag dropped and it seemed the race turned into the Tony and Denny Show. Between Hamlin and Stewart, they led 149 of the 160 laps.
Marcos Ambrose: he's not normally known as a restrictor-plate driver. After a solid top 10 finish, we may have to rethink that notion. This comes on the heels of a top 5 at Talladega in late April. He is steadily improving, and his first Cup win could well come later this year.
Kurt Busch: the Blue Deuce led a lap and got five critical bonus points. I'm sure the Blue Crew was VERY happy to come out of Daytona with a top 5.
Jimmie Johnson: he was a beneficiary of that wild crash that ended the race. He finished second, and I'm sure the Lowe's crew breathed a HUGE sigh of relief after the race.
Matt Kenseth: he led multiple laps (3). It was critical for the Killer B's to come out of Daytona with a top 10, and they did.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Robby Gordon, John Andretti, Jeff Gordon.
THE BAD
Dave Blaney: ran an amazing TWO LAPS before he parked his rig for the day. Is he trying to outdo P.J. Jones? I'm waiting for the day when an S&P doesn't even take the green flag and is credited for zero laps run.
Patrick Carpentier: it wasn't long ago I gave him an Honorable Mention in the Good category. At least he tried, as he ran 18 laps before he was done for the day.
Richard Childress Racing: aside from Jeff Burton, they had nothing to write home about, save for Kevin Harvick barely escaping the first Big One. Clint Bowyer wasn't so lucky--he got caught up in the first Big One, and he lost a lap and never recovered. He finished 29th. Casey Mears also wrecked, causing substantial damage to his left rear quarter. He finished 16 laps down in 34th. As for Harvick, he finished on the lead lap, but in 26th.
THE UGLY
The Big One #1: that involved Kasey Kahne, David Stremme, and several other cars, most notably Dale Earnhardt Jr. The first Big One occurred on Lap 75. Earnhardt Jr's #88 had it's A-frame separated from the chassis, ending his day.
The Big One #2: this happened as both Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch were getting ready to take the checkered flag. Busch was leading the race and was attempting to block Stewart, but Stewart had a run on him, and the two made contact. Busch went flying and Stewart took the checkered flag. There were several other cars that were involved in the carnage.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
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16 comments:
At least Marcos Ambrose came out with a 6th place finish with Mikey Waltrip power at Daytona. Lets hope we see more of him in the top 5 ( Ambrose).
Does this mean that the Todd Bodine Meeting Room will be renamed?????
Nice GBU Jon, I just finished watching the race finally!
I was rootin for "ABS" today (anyone but Smoke! LOL) but alas Kurt couldnt do much after Ragan swiped his front end.
Another good was the wide open coverage, too bad the announcing just isnt as good as others...
Photogr, Ambrose is improving with each race; a win is definitely within his reach by season's end.
SB, I think it will have to be renamed either the P.J. Jones Meeting Room (at Sonoma and Watkins Glen) or the Dave Blaney Meeting Room!
Kristen, thanks! I was on NASCAR.COM watching the extended highlights. Sounds like the only thing I missed was TNT's wide open coverage. It's kind of dull when two drivers lead most of the race. I've got a special treat for Bill Weber. Stay tuned.
woohoo, Marcos is on fire! :P
Great GBU, Jon. I think you have everything covered.
Agree with KLV, the Wide Open coverage was good. I paid more attention to the commercials shown during the race than I usually do. Some of them were pretty good. The Coke Zero commercials are the best NASCAR commercials in a loooonnng time.
Hey everyone!
Tez has joined us...you can find him at tezgm99.blogspot.com!
Do you not get TNT Jon? I know Speedy doesnt either...only one more to suffer thru until we get "hot rod" Rusty back.
Tez, a visit with Vicky is in Marcos' not too distant future.
Gene, thanks.
Kristen, I had company over yesterday and only watched the extended highlights of the race this morning. I do get TNT; I should be able to watch the Chicagoland race Saturday night. (I'm disappointed that NASCAR moved Chicagoland to Saturday nights.)
the side-by-side thing was good...my one criticism about it was how the commentators kept on talking about which ad was about to play as I watched it on TSN so I got different ads. The Indycar guys don't do that when they go to break so I was rather miffed why NASCAR did.
also, I won't be around for the Chicago race this weekend...off to visit the girlfriend, lol
Hey Tez,
I just wish TNT did the side by side at EVERY race they cover. You won't miss much at Chicagoland--it's a 1.5 miler. (I DETEST 1.5 milers.) Have fun with the gf!
Nice GBU as always.
Why Kyle in the Good category? He ran a good race but didn't make too good of a move at the end.
I also am waiting for the day when a S&P runs zero laps. I think though that they at least have to take the green flag to get their paycheck.
Was it just another day at the office for Kasey Kahne or did he have anything to say about a car sitting on top of him? LOL
Gonger, thanks. Had I thought about it, I'd have put Kyle in both the Good and Ugly categories. I think next time he races Stewart to the checkered flag.
Beverly, I think it was another day at the office for Kahne, LOL!
Maybe they should name the plate races the LA Freeway 400 .....
Or the Fog Bank 500 ....
Got it now ....bring back an old sponsor ....The Goody's Headache Powder 500 ....
A poster another forum calls it Wrecktona ....
Maybe they need the S&P's, this way none of the regulars can finish in last place.
Nice write jon
RL, thanks. I find the Wrecktona comment quite funny! And TRUE! You have a good point about the S&P's.
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