This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is in the hills of New Hampshire, Loudon, to be specific, for this week's version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Served New England-style, with clam chowder and iced coffee to wash it down. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Mark Martin: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He had a stout car and set himself up to win by getting track position through good pit stops and strategy. The win was the first of his career at Loudon, and it couldn't have come at a better time. He keeps the points lead, at least for this week. Good job Mark!
Juan Pablo Montoya: despite leading the most laps, he didn't quite have enough for Martin on the final restart. He was stout throughout the weekend, and showed why he's going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Chase.
Denny Hamlin: he was strong, led laps, and contended for his second straight win. A caution on the final lap cost him an opportunity for a second place finish, as he was nose to nose with Montoya.
Jimmie Johnson: this is what his team does best--hang out in the lower half of the top 10 in the first half to two-thirds of the race, then when it's go time, they're in contention for the win. They set themselves up nicely for the rest of the Chase.
The Busch Brothers: there couldn't have been a greater contrast. Kurt was stout throughout the day and weekend and was in contention for the win. Kyle wasn't strong to begin, but the crew got the #18 better as the race went on. Kyle finished fifth and Kurt finished sixth.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, and Bobby Labonte. (Labonte is rumored to go to the 07 next season.)
THE BAD
Tony Raines: he was the first of the start and parkers to park the car. After eight laps. He drew the short stick during their meeting in the Todd Bodine Meeting Room.
THE UGLY
The race itself: aside from the last couple of cautions, it was a snoozefest.
The coverage: atrocious as usual. Every time a commercial came on, I can guess that a caution would come out, and I was right more often than not. And they wouldn't explain WHY a caution came out until just before the green flag came out.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Agree with all except for the race itself. Had some lulls, but I wouldn't classify it a snoozefest...lol. The leaders did tend to stretch it out (need tires like Atlanta's?), but there was a lot of two and three wide racing throughout the race.
Montoya is certainly turning on the agro now. Should replace Kyle as most hated soon enough.
Kurt couldda won had he not tagged Ragan in the pits, methinks.
ESPN's coverage is horrible. What was up with the 5 min post race!?!?
Nice GBU as always.
I have to agree with Gene and say that I thought this race was really good.
Feel sorry for Labonte and the sponsor situation this weekend. Leaving Gibbs was the end of his winning career...
good - that you say the race was dull since I missed it on purpose solely for that reason, lol
bad - that I forgot to take the Star Trek dvd I got for the girlfriend with me....whoopsie.
ugly - my car...which clearly hasn't gotten anything from HMS Chevy's as it is currently sitting at Midas getting a brand new fuel line installed having leaked fuel all the way home (some 150 miles) yesterday. I know, I know....I should have stuck with what I know best and got something Japanese *sigh*
Gene, I'll grant that there was some good racing, but ESPN/ABC missed most of it!
Kristen, it's go time for JPM. He's letting it all hang out these last 10 races! I, too, think Kurt had a race car that was capable of winning. ESPN was breaking away from the racing to cover the latest Brett Favre news.
Gonger, thanks. I'm glad some people stepped up and sponsored Labonte for the race. He had a competitive car, and even led a few laps. He was rumored to be in the 07 next season, but with Jack Daniel's leaving NASCAR, now I'm not so sure.
Tez, IMO you didn't miss much, although from the last caution flag to the checkered was the best racing of the event. BAD Tez for not taking that Star Trek DVD!! And it's too bad about your car leaking gas. Kind of like Kasey Kahne's car leaking oil before it blew. (I couldn't resist the crack about Kahne--he opens himself up too much!)
Post a Comment