This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is deep in the heart of Dixie, Big Bad Dega, to bring you this week's version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, complete with all the fixin's you could ever want, and washed down with plenty of Amp Energy drink. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Clint Bowyer: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He had a stout car all day long, and got a final push from Juan Pablo Montoya right before the caution came out on the final lap. (IMO, Bowyer owes Montoya a favor, but that's just me.) The 33 and 42 were strong drafting partners all day, much like the 1 and 29 in the spring.
Kevin Harvick: he was edged out at the end. But the real story is Harvick taking a beat-up race car and finishing second. It was beat up when Marcos Ambrose was tagged and collected Harvick, causing significant damage to the nose of the #29. After patchwork repair, Harvick moved up 12 spots right after the restart. And from sixth place on the final restart, Harvick led going into the final lap, but was passed by Bowyer. Harvick gained 24 points on the points leader, Jimmie Johnson. Now he's 37 points behind with three races to go.
David Reutimann: a HUGE shout out (and a lot of love) goes to Reuty for helping Harvick!! THANK YOU DAVID! Reutimann had a stout car, and it didn't matter who was his drafting partner, they quickly moved to the front. Good job Reuty!!
Juan Pablo Montoya: he was on Target today, being at the point for 17 laps. Although he hasn't won on an oval, he's proven to be strong on the superspeedways. He made his Cup debut at this speedway four years ago, and ran strong then. A win is coming if the team stays in the Chevy camp and with the ECR engine program.
Joey Logano: he was very strong, leading for five laps. He ran a smart, patient race, stayed out of trouble, and was rewarded with a fifth place finish.
Honorable Mention: Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Brad Keselowski.
THE BAD
Jeff Fuller: he was the first start and parker. He drew the short stick at the start and parkers' meeting in the Todd Bodine Meeting Room. He ran a total of TWO LAPS before declaring himself done for the day and collecting NASCAR welfare.
Dave Blaney: despite securing sponsorship for this race, he was the second car to start and park. He obviously said, "TRICK OR TREAT" en route to parking the #36 12 laps into the race.
THE UGLY
Jeff Burton/Dale Earnhardt Jr: they got tangled up in a wreck that ended Burton's day and affected Jr's day. A sub-Good to Jr for leading the most laps.
The Mini-Big One: this happened on the final lap. AJ Allmendinger got the worst of it, and with the possibility of RPM shuttering its operations altogether, it wasn't good for the Dinger.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours.
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12 comments:
Agreeing with all your picks! Did they ever say if Jeff Gordon really had a engine problem? That was pretty bad. Have a great week, Everybody.
Bev, I'm guessing that he lost a cylinder near the end, but when the mini-Big One hit, he gained several positions by escaping it.
Sam Hornish could use an Honorable Mention also. Those Penske Dodges were strong.
An Ugly goes to my fantasy team. Other than Harvick, my highest finisher was 25th I think.
Gene, I had Jamie Mac on my fantasy team, and he had a BAD finish. I had Harvick, JPM (switched with Smoke at the last minute, as they were my two starters in Group A and finished 4th), Regan Smith (finished 13th) and McMurray.
Hey jon!
When you have to depend on someone else to win a race (Talladega and Daytona X 2 during the season) I think it lowers the quality of the overall sport. Sooooo, I'd like to give an UGLY to restrictor races. I'll live with the cookie cutter 1.5 mile tracks and really look forward to the short tracks where individual ability rules. I know, I know, it's a completely different mindset and strategy, but when everyone seems to hate your favorite driver there's nobody willing to be his drafting partner. Is that racing? Don't think so...
Thanks jon!
Dwindy, here's the caveat on restrictor plate racing: Harvick first suffered collateral damage when he ran into Burton's rear bumper. Burton had checked up and Harvick had no way of avoiding him. Then the Ambrose incident. Yes, Reutimann certainly helped as a drafting partner, but Harvick moved up 22 spots to sixth place going into the final restart. (He started 28th after Ambrose collected him.) That was sheer gutsy driving on Harvick's part, taking a beat up car and practically willing it to a near win.
have to give an 'ugly' to all the rubbish about the 'Legend of Hallowdega'. Considering last year was the first time (that I could find in the NOL archives) that Talladega had hosted a Cup race on that weekend, and, from all reports, the race was pathetic, it should have been 'Myth' instead of 'Legend' at the very least....or they should wait about a decade if they're still hosting the race on Halloweeen weekend before calling it a 'Legend'.
Tez, good choice. I didn't understand the hype about "The Legend of Hallow-Dega" either.
so I wasn't alone in thinking that? Cool!
do you think Kristen made it to work on time or is San Fran still in a drunken halt? :P
I think they're still in a drunken halt! It's their first championship in San Francisco. I'm sure Kristen had to dodge drunken revelers this morning!
jon, congrats on your fantasy win. At least, I think that was you. I watched "The Legend of Hallow-Dega". Kind of lame humor. I think the script writers had too much Amp!
I'm alive! Was at a horse show all weekend and just catching up now as I wanted to watch the race without speeding thru it like last time.
Glad I didnt come into the office yesterday after the parade - holy cow - the streets are still covered in confetti 3 inches deep...
ANYWAY! Good to Harvick, JJ and Hamlin for keeping the chase interesting, Bad to those stupid AMP commercials and Ugly to teh ESPN broadcast at the end - no follow up on the wreck with AJ or did I miss it?
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