This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is at one of NASCAR's crown jewel tracks, Daytona, for the Dancing with the Stars version of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, minus the hosts of that show. You'll have to put up with me! Actually, it's Florida BBQ-style, washed down with (what else?) PLENTY of Coke Zero. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
David Ragan: he FINALLY gets to take home the trophy! And the first slot in the GBU for the first time in his career! Because it's his first win, I decided to put him ALONE in this spot. He had a stout car from the time it was unloaded all the way to the checkered flag. It's only fitting that a Coca-Cola driver (he replaced Kevin Harvick when Budweiser became Harvick's sponsor) gets into Victory Lane. Congratulations David, you earned this one! GREAT JOB!
Matt Kenseth: he also was stout, and decided that he was better pushing Ragan home. Wise move by a crafty veteran. He was at point for a number of laps.
Kevin Harvick/Paul Menard: they were stout together. They were by far the smoothest of the tandems; it seems that no matter which one was in front with the other pushing, they were smooth in their hookups. Both drivers led laps and it seemed like when Menard was pushing, they went to the front at will. They ran both lines equally well, but got bit by the last restart when they were shuffled back and could never regain their position. Because of Carl Edwards' poor finish (as a result of a wreck), Harvick gains the points lead going into Kentucky.
Joey Logano: no matter who he drafted with, whether it was Kyle Busch or someone else, he was able to get to the front. Although he didn't lead a lap, he put himself in position to win.
Kasey Kahne/Brian Vickers: the Red Bull duo ran at or near the front for much of the race, until Vickers was taken out in the Big One. No problem. Kahne and Logano hooked up and Logano very nearly stole the race.
Kyle Busch: see Joey Logano. The one difference, Kyle Busch led a lap.
Joe Nemechek/Travis Kvapil: gotta give a shoutout to ole Front Row Joe. Because of last-minute sponsorship, Nemechek was able to run the whole race. And he did well, even leading for a time. He got caught in a late race accident (The Big One) that caused him to lose a lap due to repairs.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Burton/Clint Bowyer , Landon Cassill/Casey Mears, and Kurt Busch/Regan Smith.
THE BAD
TNT's coverage: WTH are you guys doing going to commercial breaks when there's 10 laps to go?? Gotta give you guys a Bad for that.
THE UGLY
Brad Keselowski/Greg Biffle: Biffle first. He needs to take lessons in bump drafting from Kevin Harvick. His attempt at bump drafting sent his teammate Carl Edwards into a spin. The subsequent damage to the 99 car later caused Edwards to be sick in the car due to the fumes entering the car and not coming out of the exhaust pipes. Edwards is more sick after losing the points lead to Harvick. Now Keselowski. Line up behind Biffle for your lesson in bump drafting from Harvick. Instead of being on Trevor Bayne's right rear bumper, he went to Bayne's LEFT rear bumper. You know what happens next. Bayne gets turned into the wall, and his night ends much earlier than he expected. A sub-Good for Kes and Da Biff for finding each other and being competitive. They actually worked quite well together.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
Showing posts with label Daytona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daytona. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly -- 2011 Daytona 500
Howdy race fans! This week's serving of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly by Crappafoni Pictures is a good mix of youth and experience, with a twist of flair and a dash of drama. Served with new dinnerware and flatware. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Trevor Bayne: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He is the youth in the recipe. At 20 years one day, he becomes the youngest winner of the 500 and the second youngest winner in Sprint Cup history. He also ties a record in winning in just his second Cup start, joining Jamie McMurray, who accomplished the feat at Charlotte in October 2002. He also joins Lee Petty as the only drivers to win the Daytona 500 in their first start in the Great American Race. (Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500.) For the first time since David Pearson in 1976, the Wood Brothers are back in Victory Lane in the Great American Race. It's also the first time the Wood Brothers 21 car has won since Elliott Sadler's first Cup win in 2001. And also he joins six other drivers to have their first Cup win be the Daytona 500. What cannot be overlooked is the block Bayne put on Carl Edwards coming out of turn 4 for the final time. He looked like a 10-year veteran that's won a few titles rather than a rookie in just his second start. Great block! Congratulations Trevor!
Carl Edwards: he very nearly won his third straight points race, but the aforementioned block by Bayne put the kibosh on that. He ran a smart, sound race, and was PATIENT, something he's had a short supply of in the past. Although he never led, he put himself in a position to possibly win the 500. He now leads the points standings by one over Bobby Labonte and David Gilliland.
David Gilliland: like Edwards, he ran a smart, sound race, and slowly crept his way towards the front. He managed to stay out of trouble when the leading contenders FOUND trouble. And like Edwards, he never led, but put himself in position for a very good finish.
Kurt Busch: he had an amazing Speedweeks. He won the Bud Shootout, one of the two twin 125s, and was stout in the 500. It looked like he was going to be the first driver to win the Speedweeks Trifecta (Shootout, 125s, and 500). When he lost his draft partner Regan Smith, he paired with younger brother Kyle, but Kyle didn't have the juice Regan had. Still, Kurt had a Speedweeks to remember.
Regan Smith: he had an AWESOME Speedweeks. He and Kurt Busch did a LOT of dancing together during Speedweeks and the 500. But late in the race, he and Busch got separated, Tony Stewart tried to bump Busch into Smith, but bumped too hard. That led to the wreck that ended Smith's chances to win the 500. A great bounce back to finish seventh, easily his best Daytona result.
Juan Pablo Montoya: he was strongest in the middle of the race, when he and Jamie McMurray swapped the lead. The Ganassi teammates ran well together, but when McMurray lost a cylinder and dropped off the pace, Montoya had to find a new partner. He was in a late race crash that could have killed his chances for a strong finish, but he dug in for a sixth place finish.
David Ragan: he was in prime position to get his first Cup win until he got black flagged for leaving his lane prior to passing the start/finish line. He had to start at the tail end of the lead lap and that was too many positions to make up. But he gets a Good for running up front for most of the race.
Brian Vickers: his first race in nine months after battling life-threatening blood clots. The long-term prognosis for Vickers is good. Unfortunately he got caught up in a crash. Welcome back to Cup, Brian!
THE BAD
J.J. Yeley: he was the first car out with engine trouble at lap 10.
Michael Waltrip: in possibly his final 500, he causes the Big One on lap 29 that took out A LOT of good cars, including 3/4 of Hendrick Motorsports' lineup. (Can you guess which HMS driver was NOT involved?)
THE UGLY
Kevin Harvick: for the first time in nearly 160 races, he blows an engine, and blows it early. The ECR engine packages are usually some of the most reliable engines on the circuit, and for Harvick to blow the engine early was an anomaly, to put it mildly. A sub-Good to Harvick for leading a lap early.
Jeff Burton: Harvick's RCR teammate also blew an engine, but his lasted 72 laps longer than Harvick's. A sub-Good to Burton for leading laps and running a sound race up to that point.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
THE GOOD
Trevor Bayne: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He is the youth in the recipe. At 20 years one day, he becomes the youngest winner of the 500 and the second youngest winner in Sprint Cup history. He also ties a record in winning in just his second Cup start, joining Jamie McMurray, who accomplished the feat at Charlotte in October 2002. He also joins Lee Petty as the only drivers to win the Daytona 500 in their first start in the Great American Race. (Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500.) For the first time since David Pearson in 1976, the Wood Brothers are back in Victory Lane in the Great American Race. It's also the first time the Wood Brothers 21 car has won since Elliott Sadler's first Cup win in 2001. And also he joins six other drivers to have their first Cup win be the Daytona 500. What cannot be overlooked is the block Bayne put on Carl Edwards coming out of turn 4 for the final time. He looked like a 10-year veteran that's won a few titles rather than a rookie in just his second start. Great block! Congratulations Trevor!
Carl Edwards: he very nearly won his third straight points race, but the aforementioned block by Bayne put the kibosh on that. He ran a smart, sound race, and was PATIENT, something he's had a short supply of in the past. Although he never led, he put himself in a position to possibly win the 500. He now leads the points standings by one over Bobby Labonte and David Gilliland.
David Gilliland: like Edwards, he ran a smart, sound race, and slowly crept his way towards the front. He managed to stay out of trouble when the leading contenders FOUND trouble. And like Edwards, he never led, but put himself in position for a very good finish.
Kurt Busch: he had an amazing Speedweeks. He won the Bud Shootout, one of the two twin 125s, and was stout in the 500. It looked like he was going to be the first driver to win the Speedweeks Trifecta (Shootout, 125s, and 500). When he lost his draft partner Regan Smith, he paired with younger brother Kyle, but Kyle didn't have the juice Regan had. Still, Kurt had a Speedweeks to remember.
Regan Smith: he had an AWESOME Speedweeks. He and Kurt Busch did a LOT of dancing together during Speedweeks and the 500. But late in the race, he and Busch got separated, Tony Stewart tried to bump Busch into Smith, but bumped too hard. That led to the wreck that ended Smith's chances to win the 500. A great bounce back to finish seventh, easily his best Daytona result.
Juan Pablo Montoya: he was strongest in the middle of the race, when he and Jamie McMurray swapped the lead. The Ganassi teammates ran well together, but when McMurray lost a cylinder and dropped off the pace, Montoya had to find a new partner. He was in a late race crash that could have killed his chances for a strong finish, but he dug in for a sixth place finish.
David Ragan: he was in prime position to get his first Cup win until he got black flagged for leaving his lane prior to passing the start/finish line. He had to start at the tail end of the lead lap and that was too many positions to make up. But he gets a Good for running up front for most of the race.
Brian Vickers: his first race in nine months after battling life-threatening blood clots. The long-term prognosis for Vickers is good. Unfortunately he got caught up in a crash. Welcome back to Cup, Brian!
THE BAD
J.J. Yeley: he was the first car out with engine trouble at lap 10.
Michael Waltrip: in possibly his final 500, he causes the Big One on lap 29 that took out A LOT of good cars, including 3/4 of Hendrick Motorsports' lineup. (Can you guess which HMS driver was NOT involved?)
THE UGLY
Kevin Harvick: for the first time in nearly 160 races, he blows an engine, and blows it early. The ECR engine packages are usually some of the most reliable engines on the circuit, and for Harvick to blow the engine early was an anomaly, to put it mildly. A sub-Good to Harvick for leading a lap early.
Jeff Burton: Harvick's RCR teammate also blew an engine, but his lasted 72 laps longer than Harvick's. A sub-Good to Burton for leading laps and running a sound race up to that point.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly -- 2010 Coke Zero 400
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew is at the crown jewel of NASCAR, Daytona International Speedway, for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, served up with copious amounts of BBQ meats of your choice, grilled corn on the cob, and tossed salad, washed down with, what else? Coke Zero! Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Kevin Harvick: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He led the most laps in the race, and it seemed he was able to move to the front at will, even when he was as far back as 16th. He had a stout car tonight and earned a hard-fought victory. He was also lucky in that he escaped the Big One that involved 18 cars with 12 laps to go. He was the last winner on Daytona's old pavement, as on Monday, the track will be repaved and ready to go for next year's 500.
Kasey Kahne: he was able to escape the Big One and kept his nose clean. His runner up finish was HUGE, as he moved up four positions in the standings. Although he never led a lap, he kept working his way towards the front. With the runner up finish, he keeps his Chase chances alive, as several drivers above him got caught up in earlier wrecks.
Jeff Gordon: he led some laps and escaped the Big One. He also moved up to second place in the standings, 212 points behind Harvick.
Dale Earnhardt Jr: another driver that escaped the Big One. Because of that, he finished fourth and improved two spots in the standings to 11th.
Steve Park: what else can you say about this man's perseverance? He was injured in a FREAK accident in a Busch Series (now Nationwide Series) race MANY years ago when his steering wheel column broke off in his hands during a caution and he veered into the path of an oncoming Larry Foyt. Park suffered a severe brain injury and it looked like his career was over. It wasn't until this year that he was given a clean bill of health to race in NASCAR again. Not only did he race tonight, he was in the top 10 late in the race driving for an underfunded team! Unfortunately, he faded late and finished 13th. If anyone deserves a Good, it's Steve Park. He'd have got a good just for starting the race. I think Park showed he can still get the job done.
Red Bull Racing: with Reed Sorenson (8th) and Scott Speed (10th), they finished strong. Neither driver led a lap, but both escaped the Big One.
Mike Bliss: he gets put in the #71 car right after Bobby Labonte left and scores a top 10. Go figure. Either Bliss has what it takes to get the job done, or Labonte's done. I say the latter, with some of the former.
Kurt Busch: he did a great job in coming back from the Big One to finish in the top 10, seventh, to be exact. He led a number of laps and was stout, particularly at the beginning of the race.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, David Reutimann.
THE BAD
Weather: rain delayed the race for close to an hour. Fortunately, the weather cleared long enough for the race to be run.
THE UGLY
The Big One: the carnage involved 18 cars and started when Jeff Burton got loose. Burton was running in the top 5 at the time. There were several good cars that got caught up in the carnage, most notably Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. Mark Martin's #5 car caught fire in the pits as the crew was attempting to repair the car. Martin had to be pulled from the car by two members of Johnson's crew and a NASCAR official. By the time he was pulled from the car, it was fully engulfed in flames. Fortunately, Martin is okay. But he had a harrowing few moments in the pits.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
THE GOOD
Kevin Harvick: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He led the most laps in the race, and it seemed he was able to move to the front at will, even when he was as far back as 16th. He had a stout car tonight and earned a hard-fought victory. He was also lucky in that he escaped the Big One that involved 18 cars with 12 laps to go. He was the last winner on Daytona's old pavement, as on Monday, the track will be repaved and ready to go for next year's 500.
Kasey Kahne: he was able to escape the Big One and kept his nose clean. His runner up finish was HUGE, as he moved up four positions in the standings. Although he never led a lap, he kept working his way towards the front. With the runner up finish, he keeps his Chase chances alive, as several drivers above him got caught up in earlier wrecks.
Jeff Gordon: he led some laps and escaped the Big One. He also moved up to second place in the standings, 212 points behind Harvick.
Dale Earnhardt Jr: another driver that escaped the Big One. Because of that, he finished fourth and improved two spots in the standings to 11th.
Steve Park: what else can you say about this man's perseverance? He was injured in a FREAK accident in a Busch Series (now Nationwide Series) race MANY years ago when his steering wheel column broke off in his hands during a caution and he veered into the path of an oncoming Larry Foyt. Park suffered a severe brain injury and it looked like his career was over. It wasn't until this year that he was given a clean bill of health to race in NASCAR again. Not only did he race tonight, he was in the top 10 late in the race driving for an underfunded team! Unfortunately, he faded late and finished 13th. If anyone deserves a Good, it's Steve Park. He'd have got a good just for starting the race. I think Park showed he can still get the job done.
Red Bull Racing: with Reed Sorenson (8th) and Scott Speed (10th), they finished strong. Neither driver led a lap, but both escaped the Big One.
Mike Bliss: he gets put in the #71 car right after Bobby Labonte left and scores a top 10. Go figure. Either Bliss has what it takes to get the job done, or Labonte's done. I say the latter, with some of the former.
Kurt Busch: he did a great job in coming back from the Big One to finish in the top 10, seventh, to be exact. He led a number of laps and was stout, particularly at the beginning of the race.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, David Reutimann.
THE BAD
Weather: rain delayed the race for close to an hour. Fortunately, the weather cleared long enough for the race to be run.
THE UGLY
The Big One: the carnage involved 18 cars and started when Jeff Burton got loose. Burton was running in the top 5 at the time. There were several good cars that got caught up in the carnage, most notably Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman. Mark Martin's #5 car caught fire in the pits as the crew was attempting to repair the car. Martin had to be pulled from the car by two members of Johnson's crew and a NASCAR official. By the time he was pulled from the car, it was fully engulfed in flames. Fortunately, Martin is okay. But he had a harrowing few moments in the pits.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Gas and Go--Daytona 500
Greetings race fans! With the dawn of a new season in NASCAR comes the return of Gas and Go. At G&G, I will offer some short insights and takes on the upcoming race. This week's race happens to be the biggest in the sport, the Daytona 500.
- HMS teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin will start at the front of this year's Great American Race. Having a good starting position means there is less likelihood they will get caught in The Big One early.
- The other HMS drivers look stout. Jimmie Johnson won Race 1 of the Twin 150s and was in contention in the Bud Shootout. Jeff Gordon was also in contention in the Shootout.
- Keep an eye on the Fords, particularly Kasey Kahne. Kahne won Race 2 of the Twin 150s and appears poised to win his first Daytona 500.
- While the RCR cars struggled in qualifying, they have been stout ever since. Kevin Harvick won the Shootout and narrowly got nipped by Johnson in Race 1. Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton also look strong.
- Thinking of you: Richard Petty.
- Weather could be a factor come Sunday. Rain is in the forecast for Friday, and chilly, partly cloudy weather is in the forecast for race day, with temperatures in the low 50s at the drop of the green flag, with a high of 58 at some point in the race.
- Also keep an eye out for Kyle Busch, who's been stout throughout Speedweeks. IF he exhibits patience, something he's not well-known for, he may be in Victory Lane.
- If the racing in the Twin 150s is any indication, the 500 should be a VERY exciting race.
Predicted Race Winner: Kevin Harvick. Happy breaks his LONG winless streak by edging Jimmie Johnson at the line to win his second Daytona 500. Happy's been stout, and since Atlanta last year, he's been one of the best drivers, despite not having a points win to show for it.
Surprise Top Ten: Brad Keselowski. He is a surprise in the sense this is his first Daytona 500. He has taken to restrictor plate tracks like a fish to water. With a few breaks, he could finish in the top 5.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Daytona qualifying rained out--a response
Qualifying was rained out for the Coke Zero 400. Per NASCAR rules, the field is set by owners' points. Tony Stewart has the pole per the rules. Currently, the NNS race is being run under scattered clouds. Here is my response to the current rules: TWEAK THEM.
IF the scheduled qualifying is rained out, NASCAR should make every effort to reschedule qualifying for 8 AM the next morning. Since there is only the Cup race in the evening, and weather won't be a factor, they COULD have fit in qualifying at 8 AM. If it's clear at 8 AM, then run qualifying as normal. However, if the weather is not cooperative, ONLY THEN do you set the field by owners' points.
This rule is one of those in pro sports (not just NASCAR) that gets under my craw. It sucks for those that are 44th or farther back in the owners' points that don't even get to qualify. Sucks for Max Papis--he doesn't fit the definition of a start-and-parker. Papis just missed a top 10 finish at Sonoma. And had he qualified for this race, Mad Max would have done his best to get a good finish. One silver lining--the #64 didn't qualify. P.J. Jones drove that car for an amazing two laps at Sonoma before his day was done.
Unfortunately, we'll probably have a couple of S&Ps. Anyone want to venture a guess as to who they will be? I'll guess the #37 of Tony Raines and the #36 of Patrick Carpentier.
IF the scheduled qualifying is rained out, NASCAR should make every effort to reschedule qualifying for 8 AM the next morning. Since there is only the Cup race in the evening, and weather won't be a factor, they COULD have fit in qualifying at 8 AM. If it's clear at 8 AM, then run qualifying as normal. However, if the weather is not cooperative, ONLY THEN do you set the field by owners' points.
This rule is one of those in pro sports (not just NASCAR) that gets under my craw. It sucks for those that are 44th or farther back in the owners' points that don't even get to qualify. Sucks for Max Papis--he doesn't fit the definition of a start-and-parker. Papis just missed a top 10 finish at Sonoma. And had he qualified for this race, Mad Max would have done his best to get a good finish. One silver lining--the #64 didn't qualify. P.J. Jones drove that car for an amazing two laps at Sonoma before his day was done.
Unfortunately, we'll probably have a couple of S&Ps. Anyone want to venture a guess as to who they will be? I'll guess the #37 of Tony Raines and the #36 of Patrick Carpentier.
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