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!
Showing posts with label Daytona 500. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daytona 500. Show all posts
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly -- Daytona 500 2010
This week, the Crappafoni Pictures crew brings you this week's hi-def The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, complete with strawberry-flavored Cupcakes. Enjoy!
THE GOOD
Jamie McMurray: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He had a good car throughout Speedweeks, and it showed late in the race. Congratulations to Cupcake on his first Daytona 500 win! Welcome to the Bowtie Brigade!
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: where did he come from? From a marginal top 10 finish to second in less than 2 laps! He did lead a few laps early in the race. Had there been one more lap, Jr might have won his second 500. I think this result bodes well for the 88 team now and in the foreseeable future.
Kevin Harvick: he had a stout car, and led the most laps, but guessed wrong on a late restart. He stayed inside when he should have gone outside to block. But from his perspective, he was stronger inside. What hurt him was the second long delay for seepage on the track.
Clint Bowyer: he was strong throughout. He led late in the race and looked like he was going to get his first 500 win. But he faded while McMurray got stronger.
David Reutimann: what a rally by the native of nearby Zephyrhills, FL! He looked dead in the water at the start of the race. But kudos to the 00 crew for getting the car stronger and adjusting to the track conditions.
Greg Biffle: he looked to be in position to win his first 500, and the first 500 for Jack Roush, his car owner. But McMurray made a GREAT move to pass Biff shortly after the final restart. Still, a third place finish is nothing to sneeze at.
Honorable Mention: Martin Truex, Jr., Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Burton.
THE BAD
The track itself: there were two long red-flag delays for seepage. Jimmie Johnson ran over a pothole on the track, contributing to his tire issues. Johnson would later go behind the wall due to rear axle issues. The track was softened due to unusually heavy rains for this time of year. This time of year is usually dry in Florida. Plus the colder than normal temperatures contributed to the track's unusually poor condition.
Marcos Ambrose: he was hardly heard from in this race or throughout Speedweeks. Even when he retired from the race due to car issues, hardly a mention. He'll bounce back, he's too good a driver not to.
THE UGLY
The delays: there were two red-flag delays totaling nearly three hours. There was very little rhythm to the second half of the race, as the two delays occurred then. I have two solutions: 1) improve the drainage system; 2) failing that, repave the track so that water can wick away from the track.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
THE GOOD
Jamie McMurray: as the race winner, he gets first billing. He had a good car throughout Speedweeks, and it showed late in the race. Congratulations to Cupcake on his first Daytona 500 win! Welcome to the Bowtie Brigade!
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: where did he come from? From a marginal top 10 finish to second in less than 2 laps! He did lead a few laps early in the race. Had there been one more lap, Jr might have won his second 500. I think this result bodes well for the 88 team now and in the foreseeable future.
Kevin Harvick: he had a stout car, and led the most laps, but guessed wrong on a late restart. He stayed inside when he should have gone outside to block. But from his perspective, he was stronger inside. What hurt him was the second long delay for seepage on the track.
Clint Bowyer: he was strong throughout. He led late in the race and looked like he was going to get his first 500 win. But he faded while McMurray got stronger.
David Reutimann: what a rally by the native of nearby Zephyrhills, FL! He looked dead in the water at the start of the race. But kudos to the 00 crew for getting the car stronger and adjusting to the track conditions.
Greg Biffle: he looked to be in position to win his first 500, and the first 500 for Jack Roush, his car owner. But McMurray made a GREAT move to pass Biff shortly after the final restart. Still, a third place finish is nothing to sneeze at.
Honorable Mention: Martin Truex, Jr., Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Burton.
THE BAD
The track itself: there were two long red-flag delays for seepage. Jimmie Johnson ran over a pothole on the track, contributing to his tire issues. Johnson would later go behind the wall due to rear axle issues. The track was softened due to unusually heavy rains for this time of year. This time of year is usually dry in Florida. Plus the colder than normal temperatures contributed to the track's unusually poor condition.
Marcos Ambrose: he was hardly heard from in this race or throughout Speedweeks. Even when he retired from the race due to car issues, hardly a mention. He'll bounce back, he's too good a driver not to.
THE UGLY
The delays: there were two red-flag delays totaling nearly three hours. There was very little rhythm to the second half of the race, as the two delays occurred then. I have two solutions: 1) improve the drainage system; 2) failing that, repave the track so that water can wick away from the track.
Those are my nominees for the race. Feel free to come in with yours!
Friday, February 12, 2010
My Proposed 2010 Schedule
In a couple of days, the 2010 season will begin with the running of the Daytona 500. It seems like a few days ago we crowned Jimmie Johnson champion for the fourth consecutive year. Given the fact that I love racing, it's great that the season is starting. I have heard (and made) complaints that the season is TOO LONG! The season starts in mid-February and ends in late November, just over NINE MONTHS. Then a six week off season, and it's back to the grind of a long season. Yeah, I know they signed up for it.
Currently, the NASCAR schedule is composed of 36 points races and four non-points races. The final race of the season is at Homestead on November 21st. There are four weekends in which no races are scheduled. The longest stretch of the season is a 19-week stretch that begins in Phoenix in early spring until the mid-summer heat at Bristol. Then there is a week off. Then the final 12 week sprint to the finish.
In comparison, the NFL has a five-month off season. Major League Baseball has 3 1/2 months off between the World Series and spring training. The NBA and NHL both have 3 months off. In these cases, the players in these leagues have time to heal their battered bodies and get recharged physically and mentally for the upcoming season.
Instead of a 36-race schedule, why NOT a 30-race schedule? The Chase would still fit into the final 10 races of the season. With the current schedule, a driver can have one, maybe two, bad races and still make the Chase. With a 30 race schedule, there is very little, if any, margin for error. Each race would be at a premium; hence the need for more evenly spaced breaks in my proposed schedule.
Here is my proposed schedule:
February 14--Daytona (Race 1)
February 21--Fontana (Race 2)
February 28--Las Vegas (Race 3)
March 7--Atlanta (Race 4)
March 14--Bristol (Race 5)
March 21--Martinsville (Race 6)
March 28--Phoenix (Race 7)
April 11--Texas (Race 8)
April 18--Talladega (Race 9)
April 25--Richmond (Race 10)
May 2--Darlington (Race 11)
May 16--Dover (Race 12)
May 22--Sprint Showdown, All-Star Race
May 30--Charlotte (Race 13)
June 6--Pocono (Race 14)
June 13--Michigan (Race 15)
June 20--Sonoma (Race 16)
July 3--Daytona (Race 17)
July 11--Chicago (Race 18)
July 18--Indianapolis (Race 19)
July 25--Montreal (Race 20--replaces the Glen)
July 31--Bristol* (Race 21)
August 7--Atlanta* (Race 22)
August 15--Talladega* (Race 23)
August 21--Richmond* (Race 24)
August 28--Homestead* (Race 25)
September 5--Darlington*# (Race 26)
September 12--Texas* (Race 27)
September 19--Phoenix* (Race 28)
September 26--Sonoma* (Race 29)
October 3--Las Vegas* (Race 30)
*Chase races.
#The Southern 500 returns to its rightful date and location.
That is my proposed schedule. As per the schedule, the season ends six weeks earlier, and there are timely breaks for NASCAR personnel and their families. If NASCAR were to follow this proposed schedule (or a similar schedule), they would have a true offseason. Feel free to comment on this issue.
Currently, the NASCAR schedule is composed of 36 points races and four non-points races. The final race of the season is at Homestead on November 21st. There are four weekends in which no races are scheduled. The longest stretch of the season is a 19-week stretch that begins in Phoenix in early spring until the mid-summer heat at Bristol. Then there is a week off. Then the final 12 week sprint to the finish.
In comparison, the NFL has a five-month off season. Major League Baseball has 3 1/2 months off between the World Series and spring training. The NBA and NHL both have 3 months off. In these cases, the players in these leagues have time to heal their battered bodies and get recharged physically and mentally for the upcoming season.
Instead of a 36-race schedule, why NOT a 30-race schedule? The Chase would still fit into the final 10 races of the season. With the current schedule, a driver can have one, maybe two, bad races and still make the Chase. With a 30 race schedule, there is very little, if any, margin for error. Each race would be at a premium; hence the need for more evenly spaced breaks in my proposed schedule.
Here is my proposed schedule:
February 14--Daytona (Race 1)
February 21--Fontana (Race 2)
February 28--Las Vegas (Race 3)
March 7--Atlanta (Race 4)
March 14--Bristol (Race 5)
March 21--Martinsville (Race 6)
March 28--Phoenix (Race 7)
April 11--Texas (Race 8)
April 18--Talladega (Race 9)
April 25--Richmond (Race 10)
May 2--Darlington (Race 11)
May 16--Dover (Race 12)
May 22--Sprint Showdown, All-Star Race
May 30--Charlotte (Race 13)
June 6--Pocono (Race 14)
June 13--Michigan (Race 15)
June 20--Sonoma (Race 16)
July 3--Daytona (Race 17)
July 11--Chicago (Race 18)
July 18--Indianapolis (Race 19)
July 25--Montreal (Race 20--replaces the Glen)
July 31--Bristol* (Race 21)
August 7--Atlanta* (Race 22)
August 15--Talladega* (Race 23)
August 21--Richmond* (Race 24)
August 28--Homestead* (Race 25)
September 5--Darlington*# (Race 26)
September 12--Texas* (Race 27)
September 19--Phoenix* (Race 28)
September 26--Sonoma* (Race 29)
October 3--Las Vegas* (Race 30)
*Chase races.
#The Southern 500 returns to its rightful date and location.
That is my proposed schedule. As per the schedule, the season ends six weeks earlier, and there are timely breaks for NASCAR personnel and their families. If NASCAR were to follow this proposed schedule (or a similar schedule), they would have a true offseason. Feel free to comment on this issue.
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.
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