by richard teague tinynascars@yahoo.com
Well, I was watching the Pocono race Sunday afternoon and I was bored. I really hate to say that about a NASCAR race, especially on a big track like that. One thing that makes it boring is that there ain’t no bank to Pocono Raceway, which doesn’t make for exciting racing. We need lead changes and multi-car wide runs in the turns. Oh sure, they go fast and then, once in a while, the guys will spread out wide, but it’s hard to do when you’re running on 14 degrees of bank versus the same length tracks that have 31 or 33 degrees of bank.
It is real hard to get bored watching a race at those two tracks. I can’t think of a single time that’s happened, there’s just too much going on. Every now and then you will get a great race from a big track ( two miles or better ) that is flat, but usually they are just plain dull. Last week Indy, which is a real flatty with only 9 degrees, was an exception to the rule. Why, I can’t tell ya. Maybe they raced harder just because it’s the Brickyard. Another thing that will make me want to flip channels while a race is on is when there aren’t many lead changes. Not when the leader goes for tires and gas, but races hard for the lead. That’s another fault with this race that lost my attention. I wonder if watching Kurt Busch lead so much could have had something to do with it? I’m not a big fan of his.
Busch was happy with the race since he hasn’t won one in 51 races. He might have thought he made a mistake by leaving Jack. With a crew chief change a few weeks back in Pat Tryson, which also made the change from Roush, Busch must have felt like he wasn’t alone anymore since Tryson was Martin’s chief for several years. Kurt said “Our guys have latched on to him real well…” so perhaps this is the start of a run for the Chase. Since Busch moved Junior out of the 12th spot, it could be just that. Like I said earlier, I’m not a big fan of his, but I think that was because he was a Roush driver and they’re not one of my favorite teams. Another thing I know is that Busch doesn’t give drivers no respect, especially Jimmy “Don’t Forget” Spencer, but then that was a light year ago wasn’t it?
Well next week is my anniversary, are you ready for this? Thirty years of marriage and, yes, I am wondering just how my lovely wife Ann has put up with me for so long too. Anyway, she always worries about our weekends off together and if they conflict with me watching a race. Darling, have no fear. This coming Sunday NASCAR is on the road course track at Watkins Glen International and there ain’t No Problem about missing that one, so whatever you’re heart desires. You’re wish is my command.
Let me ask a question right here, and please, if one of y’all have a good answer, let me know. (No D.A. remarks – you understand I try real hard to keep this a family type of column.) What do you get the woman that has multiples of everything and me to boot? So what can I get her for our 30th? It really needs to be nice because I know what she got me and I’ll tell all of you right now, I have wanted one of these for many many years. I hope it’s a super deluxe chrome, but a regular white one will be just fine. A toaster! Yes indeedy, I’ve want a plain ole regular toaster since forever because I love plain toasted white bread, just like Elwood Blues. And with all the dang toaster ovens we have had over the years, I can’t get a decent slice the way I like it. Ain’t nothing like a couple of nicely toasted pieces of plain white bread with milk or orange juice, so I got to get her something just as nice. Help me out here, will ya?
Man, did I get off track or what? Let me climb back on the rails with: How about Kahne and Budweiser? Is it true or is it false? Kasey says he ain’t seen nothing signed yet, but it would be fine with him. I’m wondering how Bud is leaving DEI. Wasn’t their contract with them and not Jr? Or was there some kind of loophole where if he left they could too. Hendrick said he can’t have them at HMS because of other agreements, but wasn’t he also the one that said his plate was full? Hmm, Bud on the #9, I guess they just moved up a notch and still have a very popular young driver, which is what sponsors really want these days. Maybe 2008 will be the year of Evernham. The new guy, George Gillett, said he’s been looking for the right team for a few years, and not just one for him to send his checks to.
Let’s see if Bud comes on board as a big money shareholder. Ray says he’s going back to the basics by running his teams like he did for Jeff Gordon. We might see good things out of them next season. It seems like it just gets better and better for Evernham with Dodge reconfirming to NASCAR.
Y’all know that for several weeks I have written about Mark Martin and his crusades over the past several years. First with Jack, then with Bobby and now with Teresa. He attempted to retire at Roush only to be drawn back for one more year (twice) and then the seemingly breath-of-fresh-mountain-air in moving to Ginn Racing part time, like he wanted to.
DEI has got a flock of young drivers in the stable to do just that. With Martin’s name at DEI, it should cushion the blow of Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving next year. Regan Smith is not making the move with him, so he’s trying to find the boy a job. Mark said, “Nobody is working harder on Regan’s behalf than me, probably not even himself.” With what must be most of Ginn Racing employees out of work, would that even be possible for Mark Martin? Even with his efforts and Regan’s driving abilities, which I didn’t really see a lot of so far this season, Martin has a hard row to hoe from where I’m looking.
Get a hold of me at tinynascars@yahoo.com. Remember, if you will, that if it ain’t NASCAR, It ain’t s**t!!
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