This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is in the mid-South region, Richmond, VA, for the Chevy Rock 'n Roll 400. This is the last race before the Chase starts, so a rockin' good time is to be had by all. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Denny Hamlin: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He led the most laps en route to his first ever win at Richmond. He was running in the top 5 pretty much the whole race. As recently as 2004, he was WATCHING the race from the stands. A very popular win among the fans. Now he's seeded fourth in the Chase, and is a threat to win the title.
Kurt Busch: he rebounded nicely from last week's disaster at the ATL. Although he didn't lead a lap, the Blue Deuce was stout throughout the race en route to a second place finish.
Jeff Gordon: since he already had clinched his spot in the Chase, the only thing he was racing for was a win. While he led laps and had a top-5 car, he fell short of that goal. He comes into the Chase with some momentum.
Mark Martin: the pole winner led at the outset of the race before surrendering the lead to Hamlin. The five bonus points were huge. He was stout and was in the top 5 for much of the race.
Kyle Busch: try as he might, even though he finished fifth, he still missed the Chase by eight points. He ran well tonight, and was in the top 10 for most of the race. But as he said in the postrace interview, it was the fact he wasn't as consistent as he was last year.
Brian Vickers: his seventh place finish, coupled with Matt Kenseth's freefall, clinched a spot in the Chase. It looked bleak after the final pit stop when he came out behind Kyle Busch. But he got it done on the track, passing cars when he needed to.
Kevin Harvick: his ninth place finish was his first back to back top 10s since the final three races of last season. He started 19th and quickly moved his way towards the front; at one point he was in the top 5. The #29 team has turned the corner and Happy's back to the Harvick of old: a threat to win races regardless of the track.
Clint Bowyer: I'm over my anger over him costing Happy a win last week. He ran a strong race, and was in the top 10 for much of the race, finishing sixth.
Sam Hornish Jr.: he's starting to get the hang of short tracks. A solid seventh place finish will give him confidence for the rest of the season into next season.
Other Goods: Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Greg Biffle. These drivers have clinched Chase spots.
THE BAD
Matt Kenseth: he came into the race in 12th, the last spot before the Chase. He started bad and pretty much stayed that way the whole race. Now he's on the outside looking in. The Daytona 500 and the Auto Club 500 are very distant memories now.
Casey Mears: at one point in the race, he was in the top 15 and was running well. Then he remembered he was Casey Mears and reverted back to classic Casey Mears form: finishing a couple of laps down.
THE UGLY
Rain: fortunately, it was a passing shower and the race was delayed by only a half hour.
Tony Stewart: I've gotta put Smoke in this category. He struggled throughout the race, and an early wreck threw him off. Even though he finished 17th after starting 29th, it was the kind of race that kills momentum. Could he have peaked too early?
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
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12 comments:
The only thing Gordon was racing for was a win?
Isn't that the whole reason they're burning up all that gas in the first place??
Now we all know I'm no NASCAR expert but it's a freakin RACE...They should be trying to win every time out, no?
Damn...If they can race without actually trying to win I need to reconsider my profession. I'm pretty adapt at navigating the freeways here in LA so I bet I could drive in circles and simply try to avoid a wreck every week...Hell, I do that now.
When's the next time these yoohoos come out West...I'm down get a tune up on my jalopy, slap a shitload of stickers all over it and show up on MTV Cribs just for not trying to win.
Just messin with you bro...How the hell are ya Jon-E boy?
www.sportsreviewmagazine.com
adept
Sorry, had a JOKERSWILD spelling moment there.
Bleed, Bleed, Bleed! I thought I was a racer til I got caught going 67 in a 45 down Hwy 441 on the Athens International Speedway.lol
Jon, I couldn't hold out to see the end of the race but ESPN2 replayed the race this morning, so I was able to see Kyle not make the chase - bummer.
Dawgs Defeat Gamecocks 41-37
It was nice to see Denny finally win at his home track. Guess he just needed to get the burden of making the chase off of him and he could get comfortable enough to win.
I told Gunny that I think Stewart thought he was still on the dirt of Eldora last night. Well at least he took the responsibility for his mistake. But his pit crew is going to have to get refocused and quit dropping lugnuts if they want to win this championship this year.
Wait! Did I dream it or didn't Tony take out Reed? Bad and ugly!
Jon,
I think that Kyle can know "BE KYLE" and rip off a few wins. Playing the spoiler should come naturally to him - I can't wait to see it!
The best line I saw all night was after the race on twitter. One Guy wrote (along the lines of) "Since Matt Kenseth was the reason for the Chase, now that he didn't make it, can we get rid of it?"
Hey Bleed, long time no see! I'm doing great, especially since coming on here! And you're forgiven for having a Jokerswild moment!
Beverly, I was also bummed that Kyle didn't make the Chase. Even though I picked JJ in preseason, I'm pulling for Smoke. The Dawgs had a close one--seems like everytime they play the Gamecocks, it's close. Tony did take out Reed, but at least he took responsibility for it.
Tsfan, it was a popular win indeed. But you're right about Tony's crew being focused in order to win the championship.
IowaGirl, he'll be itching to spoil someone's party! As far as the Twitter guy, he's got a GREAT point!
For some reason I think Stewart has peaked. HMS is not giving him the good engines any more.That is reserved for JJ, Martin , and Gordon. Ok maye once in awhile Jr. but why waste good equipment.
Photogr, I agree. I can see him doing a freefall in the Chase--at times struggling to get in the top 20. Keep an eye out for JPM, though. I can see him winning at Talladega and Martinsville and perhaps Phoenix.
Smoke had lugnut probs?? REALLY! Hmmm...wonder why....yea, he has peaked, definitely peaked.
LOL
Good one Jon - Kurt and Sam both had a great race which given the circumstances over at Penske these days is a good sign.
Feel bad for Kenseth - guess his robot driving batteries are wearing out. Kyle will let it rip now - should be fun to watch him!
What? No mention of Stewart up-ending Reuty's tire carrier? That looked like a nasty tumble. Glad he was alright.
Kristen, thanks. Smoke IMO peaked too early--he was focused on MAKING the Chase and I think his crew is gassed.
RA6AN, that was a NASTY tumble Reuty's crew member took, and I'm glad he's okay. Thank God for the safety procedures and equipment NASCAR has instituted--they're second to none.
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