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The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
August 16th, 2011
Volume V, Edition CLXII
Sprint Cup Race Recap: Ambrose Takes First Win As Chaos Ensues Behind
by Phil Allaway
Monday dawned gloomy once again in Watkins Glen. 90 minutes before the scheduled 10 am start, it was very foggy at the track. 15 minutes before the start, it was spitting rain on pit road. However, against a dire forecast, NASCAR was able to get the full 90-lap (and then some) distance of the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen completed.
Those fans who came back for Monday got their money's worth.
Following a wreck for Paul Menard, a frantic green-white-checkered restart set the stage for a dramatic finish. With leader Kyle Busch and Marcos Ambrose starting alongside, Busch went into Turn 1 too hot, allowing Brad Keselowski and Ambrose to get by. Ambrose immediately pressured Keselowski and executed a bump-and-run to get by for the lead in Turn 9. From there, he was able to hold on to take his first career Sprint Cup victory.
It was a rough road for Ambrose, who had finished in the top 3 at the Glen three times before cashing in on Victory Lane. Driving up through traffic, needing extra stops and fresher tires to make his race plan work the Australian was absolutely ecstatic about his day.
"I've sacrificed so much to get here and to finally win and be here in Victory Lane in the Cup Series is a dream come true," Ambrose said. "I've traveled halfway around the world and dragged my kids and my wife with me. I kept telling them I was good, but until you can win in the Cup Series, you can't really put that stamp on it."
Second-place finisher Brad Keselowski was very happy for his result as well.
"I was happy with the car from the start and was able to drive up there, make some moves," Keselowski said. "Got up to the lead there at the end of the second segment and felt like we were one of the cars to beat. But, I just wasn't quite good enough to pull it off there. Made a couple of mistakes at the end, lost the lead to Kyle, got back by him, then lost the lead to Marcos [Ambrose]."
However, behind the leaders, chaos broke out on the final lap. Said had contact with David Ragan between Turns 1 and 2 and pitched Ragan into the wall hard. Ragan then crossed the track and impacted David Reutimann. Reutimann hit the opposite wall at a severe angle, flipping the car over as a result. Mark Martin and Ron Fellows were also involved.
Following this crash, there was an altercation in the garage area between Biffle, members of his crew, and Said. Bystanders noted that Biffle took a swing at Said while he was still seated in his car. Afterwards, Said got out of his car (while still wearing his helmet) and commenced to arguing with Biffle. Said had to be restrained by Biffle's crew to keep him away from Biffle. Afterwards, Said gave an angry interview with ESPN.com's Ryan McGee in which he claimed that Ragan simply didn't give him any room exiting Turn 1 and he needed to be able to stay on the track. Then, the topic turned to Biffle.
"I'm more upset with Greg Biffle. He is the most unprofessional little scaredy cat I've ever seen in my life," Said exclaimed. "He wouldn't even fight me like a man afterwards. If someone texts me his address, I'll go see him Wednesday at his house and show him what he really needs. He needs a friggin' whooping. He's a chump. He'll show up at one of these races with a black eye."
Also, Tony Stewart went straight through the grass in the Inner Loop before finally spinning and hitting the inside wall. Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards were also involved. None of the drivers were injured in either crash, but Reutimann did have a piece of debris tear a hole in his pants leg during the crash.
Kyle Busch started from the pole, but lost the advantage thanks to an ultra-aggressive move entering the Esses on Lap 1 by A.J. Allmendinger. Shortly afterwards, Marcos Ambrose got by Kyle Busch to take second, creating a short-lived Richard Petty Motorsports one-two.
The Inner Loop was a scene of action on Monday - Said spun under braking on the second lap of the race. A couple of laps later, Kurt Busch wiped out under similar circumstances. Kurt's No. 22 went through the grass and deposited grass all over the track. Under normal circumstances, that would have precipitated a yellow for track cleanup. However, due to the threat of rain, NASCAR kept the green out despite the slippery conditions.
Kurt Busch pitted after his spin and came out directly in front of Allmendinger. Allmendinger quickly lapped him, but Kurt Busch raced Allmendinger hard to get the lap back. On lap 9, Kurt Busch basically pushed Allmendinger off the track in the Inner Loop to get the lap back. Ambrose took the lead as a result and Allmendinger dropped back and eventually pitted.
Kyle Busch took the lead when Ambrose pitted on Lap 17 and held the point while everyone else pitted around them. Greg Biffle stayed out too long on his first run and ran out of gas on Lap 28, bringing out the first yellow. Ambrose reclaimed the lead when Kyle Busch pitted, but pitted himself shortly after the restart due to the fact that his FR9 engine simply didn't get the best fuel mileage.
Kyle Busch was back out front when Kurt Busch blew a left front tire in Turn 9 and hit the tires. That brought out the second yellow on Lap 50. After the restart, the final round of stops occurred as driver after driver dropped off track to make their stops.
Not long after the stops occurred, Denny Hamlin had a massive failure in the front of his car entering Turn 1. As a result, Hamlin's car went straight into the tire barrier at a high rate of speed. Hamlin was OK, but his car was thrashed - that set up the final run to the finish mentioned above.
Behind Ambrose and Keselowski was Kyle Busch in third. The finish was good enough to give him the points lead over Carl Edwards via a tiebraker (Kyle Busch has three wins to Edwards' one). Martin Truex, Jr. finished fourth, his best run of 2011 thus far. Joey Logano rounded out the top-5. Kevin Harvick was sixth, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya seventh and AJ Allmendinger came back from his early issues with Kurt Busch to finish eighth. Jeff Burton was ninth for his first top-10 of the 2011 season, while Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top-10.
This weekend, the Sprint Cup Series returns to Michigan International Speedway for the Pure Michigan 400.
Phil Allaway is a Senior Writer and the Newsletter Manager for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.
Tracking The Chasers: We've Got A Tie At The Top, With Johnson Lurking
by Phil Allaway
Jimmie Johnson is down one place this week to third in the standings after finishing tenth on Monday. He is only six points behind Kyle Busch and Edwards. Kevin Harvick is up one place to fourth in the standings after a sixth-place finish Monday from the 23rd starting spot. Matt Kenseth is also up a place to fifth following his 14th-place finish.
Kurt Busch is down two positions to sixth in the standings after an eventual day. A lap 4 spin in the Inner Loop forced Kurt to pit, which put him a lap down. Then, he pushed leader A.J. Allmendinger into the grass to get back on the lead lap. As the day went on, Kurt developed a braking issue. To alleviate it, Kurt dialed in a significant amount of front brake bias. However, this led to him melting the bead of the left front tire, resulting in the Lap 50 crash in Turn 9 that put him out of the race.
Jeff Gordon remains in the seventh spot following his 13th-place finish on Sunday, while Ryan Newman remains in eighth. Finally, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart round out the top-10. It was a big day for Earnhardt, whose weakness on road courses has been well-documented; however, a 15th-place finish allowed him to actually gain on 11th after Denny Hamlin's hard crash knocked the No. 11 Fed Ex Toyota out of the race. Clint Bowyer, the new guy "on the outside looking in" points-wise is a whopping 36 points behind Junior with four races left.
Stewart, whose last-lap crash cost him well over a dozen points, remains 25 in front of Bowyer. The wild cards still go to Brad Keselowski, with his two wins along with Hamlin's one - he's 27 points in front of fellow Cup winner Paul Menard for that final playoff slot.
Standings: t-1) Kyle Busch 752, t-1) Carl Edwards 752, 3) Jimmie Johnson -6, 4) Kevin Harvick -14, 5) Matt Kenseth -28, 6) Kurt Busch -40, 7) Jeff Gordon -52, 8) Ryan Newman -66, 9) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -82, 10) Tony Stewart -93.
Outside the top-10: 11) Clint Bowyer -118, 12) Denny Hamlin -126, 13) Greg Biffle -142, 14) Brad Keselowski -151, t-15) Paul Menard -153, t-15) AJ Allmendinger -153
Wild Cards: Brad Keselowski (14th in points, two wins), Denny Hamlin (12th in points, one win)
Note: While Marcos Ambrose, David Ragan and Regan Smith all have victories so far this season, none of them are currently within the top-20 in points. Also, Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne is not eligible for the Chase because he is not running for Sprint Cup points.
Tracking the Top-35: RGM Cannot Capitalize on their Best Shot
Watkins Glen was seen as Robby Gordon Motorsports' best chance to put together an excellent run and get back into the top-35. However, it just wasn't meant to be. First, Gordon's second car, the No. 77 driven by P.J. Jones, missed Turn 1 and thus failed to qualify for the race itself. As a result, Gordon decided to drive conservatively in qualifying to assure himself of a starting spot (31st).
But in Monday's race, Gordon, to everyone's surprise pretty much stayed invisible. He was able to avoid trouble, especially on the final lap when he was right behind the big wreck involving David Ragan, David Reutimann, and others in order to bring the No. 7 home in 24th. Surely, though, that's a disappointing result for Gordon, knowing his prowess on road courses plus the time and effort that his team put into the race. Worse, they still lost ground to TRG Motorsports with that finish. Andy Lally brought the No. 71 home in 21st, costing the No. 7 three more points. Gordon's team is now 19 markers behind the No. 71.
Casey Mears and Germain Racing had an interesting weekend. In opening practice on Friday, Mears blew an engine on the frontstretch. That would force Mears to start Monday's race from the rear. However, Mears was tenth fastest in Happy Hour, a fast car allowing him to move up through during the race and finish 20th. That was enough to boost the Germain Racing No. 13 up to 33rd in owners' points, ahead of the No. 32 for FAS Lane Racing.
Top 35 Summary:
31) Front Row Motorsports (No. 34 - David Gilliland), +122 ahead of 36th place.
32) Tommy Baldwin Racing (No. 36 – Dave Blaney), +49 ahead of 36th place.
33) Germain Racing (No. 13 – Casey Mears), +47 ahead of 36th place.
34) FAS Lane Racing (No. 32 – Andrew Ranger), +37 ahead of 36th place.
35) TRG Motorsports (No. 71 - Andy Lally), +19 ahead of 36th place.
36) Robby Gordon Motorsports (No. 7 – Robby Gordon), -19 behind 35th place.
37) Front Row Motorsports (No. 38 – Terry Labonte), -38 behind 35th place.
38) Wood Brothers Racing (No. 21 – Trevor Bayne), -69 behind 35th place.
39) Front Row / MaxQ Hybrid Team (No. 37 – Tony Raines/Scott Speed), -127 behind 35th place.
Phil Allaway is a Senior Writer and the Newsletter Manager for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com.
Got NASCAR-related questions or comments about 2011? John's got answers!
A new year means a new columnist to answer all your pressing questions about the sport! Our legendary flagman John Potts is taking over our Fan Q & A, so be sure to stack his inbox with plenty of queries and comments for the New Year! Send them his way at john.potts@frontstretch.com; and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print when he does his weekly column answering back to you – the fans!
Secret Star of the Race: The Race You Never Saw
Truex was decent in the first practice session on Friday, then capaulted himself into the top-5 in Happy Hour. A top-10 qualifying effort on Saturday cemented the team's good form. In the race, Truex kept his NAPA Toyota clean and played the pit strategy game. The yellow that flew for Denny Hamlin's crash put the No. 56 towards the front of the field and in position to contend. On the restart, Truex had a chance to get by Ambrose for second, but fell back with all the bumping that occurred exiting Turn 1. From there, Truex simply held station. Still, a fourth-place finish is nothing to sneeze. He should be very pleased with the run. Perhaps, it is just the beginning of some great things. – Phil Allaway
STAT OF THE WEEK: 33.0. That's the average finish for Tony Stewart in the two road course races this season: Infineon and Watkins Glen, easily the worst performance of his 13-year Sprint Cup career. In comparison, last year he got through unscathed - posting a worst finish of ninth in either event while using those points to build momentum for the Chase. - Tom Bowles
Running Their Mouth: 2011 Good Sam RV Insurance 500
by Brody Jones
Best Quote:
"I'll win a million bucks for anyone. I don't care. I just want to get to Victory Lane again. It just feels great right now. It's just a dream come true. The fans out there who have supported Richard Petty and this whole team through the turmoil last year, I can't thank them enough. We're gonna go onward and upward from here. It's a proud day. No one realizes how much everybody puts in to try to get to Victory Lane and when it actually happens, it's almost a surreal moment."- Marcos Ambrose, winner, on qualifying for the $3 million Sprint Bonus at Atlanta.
Make no mistake, this first win has been a long time coming for Marcos Ambrose. He has won three of the last four Nationwide Series events at Watkins Glen and has been oh-so-close to that first win that it was only a matter of time. Now, the tricky part begins for Ambrose. He feels that in order to prove his worth in NASCAR, he needs to win on an oval track. It's become somewhat of a quest for the holy grail for Ambrose and now he has to prove, not just to the NASCAR fan base, but to himself that he can win on the ovals as well. If he can keep this momentum going, then the first oval win won't be too far away.
Worst Quote:
"I'm more upset with Greg Biffle. He is the most unprofessional little scaredy cat I've ever seen in my life. He wouldn't even fight me like a man after. So, if someone texts me his address, I'll go see him Wednesday at his house and show him what he really needs. He needs a…whooping and I'm going to give it to him. He was flipping me off, giving me the finger. Totally unprofessional. Two laps down. I mean, he is a chump."- Boris Said, 22nd, on his post-race altercation with Greg Biffle.
Hmm, let's see here… dump David Ragan on the last lap, send two cars to the scrapyard, and get into a fight with Greg Biffle? Yeah, it's safe to say Boris Said has more than his share of pissed off NASCAR drivers right now. Boris needs to learn in NASCAR that he can't just plow over people to race for 22nd. And to be quite honest, he's damned lucky somebody didn't get seriously hurt after his careless actions. Greg Biffle was merely standing up for a teammate and if Boris can't handle that, then maybe he's worn out his welcome in NASCAR.
Most Controversial Quote:
"Yeah, I'm okay, I'm sore. That was a hard hit. I looked down at my feet and my pedals and my leg rests were all pushed over. It's a shame that a race track we go to in 2011 doesn't have a better wall design all the way around the race track, so hopefully they'll look at that. I've been to some dirt tracks that have better walls than that. It was a hard hit, but our cars are safe. Thanks to everyone back at home that builds us safe race cars."- David Ragan, 28th, on whether he was okay after his hard hit.
The most common denominator today from the drivers was the pleading and urgency for SAFER barriers all the way around the track. After Denny Hamlin's harrowing crash into the turn 1 wall in an incident eerily similar to Jimmie Johnson's hit in the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series race at The Glen and the scary last lap crash between David Reutimann and David Ragan, there were more than a fair share of drivers criticizing the walls at Watkins Glen. Ragan's comments were by far the most critical of the bunch and after the hits he took, who can blame him?
Best of the Rest:
"It was. At the beginning, it was pretty hairy. It started misting pretty good and there wasn't very good visibility for the spotters. From a driver's standpoint, it wasn't too bad. But, it was unpredictable in trying to guess at it from a crew chief standpoint. You never know when the rain is coming around here."- Jeff Gordon, 13th, on track conditions early in the race.
"My pride mostly. Something came in and kind of got into the uniform and ripped a hole in it there. So, something flew in there and got a hold of my shin and ate it up a little bit. I'm not exactly sure what, but just not a very good day for us. I've got to thank everybody at Aaron's, Best Western and Tums and the guys at MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) for building me safe race cars. Just a pretty dismal day all day and didn't look like we were going to finish all that well, but I didn't figure we were going to finish that bad. Disappointing. Didn't really need to happen unfortunately, but that's just how it goes."- David Reutimann, 29th, on what hurt the most after his hard crash.
"Nothing really changes. Every week, we show up and try to get the most points we can. Nothing has changed all year for that. Might take a gamble to try and get a second win. If we miss on that and run out of fuel or something, at least we tried."- Paul Menard, 32nd, on his approach for the next few races following his hard crash at Watkins Glen.
"The only thing really maybe harder was the Talladega one I had when I had the concussion a couple years ago. That was about the worst. This was just terrifying because you know there's nothing you can do and you're headed straight for the fence. That was the scariest I've been in my car."- Denny Hamlin, 36th, on whether the throttle hung in his car.
Brody Jones is a Contributor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at brody.jones@frontstretch.com.
Today's Featured Commentary
My First IndyCar Race: Where Was Everybody?
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
That was an awesome race on Sunday. Oh? You didn't see one? Something about rain? Well, New Hampshire didn't suffer rain—we had moisture; which led to a controversial shortened event for the MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225. I left the track well satisfied with my first foray to an IZOD IndyCar event. I didn't arrive that way.
I think we all know there is a certain amount of competitive dislike between the Pointy Car Series and NASCAR. Despite a never ending exodus of drivers between the fender-free racing zone and our hefty stock car garage, the racing and fan base are different, and that leads to the inevitable, "My race was better than yours," mentality. I tried to enter into my race day with an open mind. After all, Indy cars are something I've ogled on TV since my youth. I visited the Brickyard last year and soaked in some of the pomp and glamour that is associated with these technologically advanced cars, even though it was the NASCAR weekend when I was there. Sunday, I really thought going to an Indycar event would be something different. People would cram the midway with their Honda hats, polos and tight shorts--very European and chic. I was so wrong. Must've been thinking F1 or something.
We stepped out of our Chevy Silverado and laughed. NHMS parked us where we usually pay for reserved camping for NASCAR, a nice easy flat, stone's throw from Turn 1. Then we stopped and listened. There was something very wrong. We could hear crickets in the August afternoon instead of the low purr of a thousand generators, thump of incoming helicopters and general mayhem associated with a Sprint Cup race morning.
This lack of a carnival atmosphere didn't change much as we approached the track. The midway was nearly barren, sporting only the IndyCar Fan Village, comparable to the Sprint Fan Zone. We looked a bit harder and spotted the AAA tent and a t-shirt store for IndyCar. That's right, one. Souvenirs were surprisingly priced below most NASCAR memorabilia, until you hit the polo-shirt racks.
We paid a modest $40 for general admission seats (I've paid higher for tickets to Thompson). Once inside the gates, we managed to find a Danica t-shirt trailer (which looked suspiciously like the one we see at NASCAR events) and a Graham-Rahal trailer. I walked in a little circle looking at wide open spaces. Music piped in over the sound system came from a can packed in the the 80's. I was beginning to suspect something, and it explains much about the rift that remains between the prestigious IndyCar Series and NASCAR's Sprint Cup.
IndyCar has not entirely embraced the art of showmanship. Not even close.
The racing was awesome. Three-wide, side-by-side, points battles, rookies making a lot of noise, a fire in the pits, an upside down car in the tire barrier--even the cautions for "moisture" could not dim my enjoyment of the actual racing. That show beat out any Sprint Cup battle I've witnessed in the last five years at the Magic Mile.
What I missed was the show before the show…where was it?
No crammed manufacturer's midway, no mall full of t-shirts and die-casts. No slot car racing, pre-race concert, flags flying over a sea of RV's, or even an army of logoed fans. Apparently, since the region is new to the IndyCar circuit, we thought better of displaying our NASCAR favorites, resulting in nameless sweaters and jeans. And crowds? Well, at 30,000 the track wasn't empty, just not full, which isn't any different from various IndyCar races I've checked out on TV this year.
Now, it is true we go to the track for the race…ostensibly. But when you're forfeiting the entire day to sit in traffic, waddle through mobs and sit on immoveable aluminum benches for hours on end, you do stop and consider if it's worth the $100. Isn't there a little something more to get out of the day? When I arrive for a NASCAR event and am entertained by free bracelets, t-shirts, bags, key chains, radio personalities and on-air TV shows before I've even seen a racecar, I perceive that my money has not been entirely wasted. If I bring a buddy for the first time, I am more than able to assure them that they'll find something to do. Did I mention all the food?
NASCAR and RJ Reynolds figured this race promotion deal out many years ago. Together they created a traveling circus that drew larger and larger crowds to their events. Times have changed and the sponsors' names on the tents have, too. Instead of beer and tobacco, now we see home improvement stores offering up handy tips. Did you ever visit the Craftsman Truck display back in the day? That was a killer rotating truck, with tire changing stations and air gun demos…
I entered into the IndyCar day with expectations of spectacle and was just stymied that after a hundred years of getting cars to go faster, any which way possible, that the sanctioning body hasn't considered what it takes to get fans into the seats at the track. Indianapolis Motor Speedway might be the Mecca to the racing community, but it appears the idolization of auto racing resides there, and only there.
As race time approached, a car with Acorn Stairlifts emblazoned on it was pushed past me. There were still more than two empty seats on either side of me. I wondered…is IndyCar stuck in the past? Do they believe that it only takes some good racing for about two hours to get people to fill up the stands? Are they thinking that such responsibility lies strictly with the track owners? Are they so blind? Or are they looking to the future where races are recorded in empty venues and broadcast to millions…maybe I'm the one living in the past.
For my part, I had a great time. Should IndyCar return to the Great Northern Woods, I'll pick up another $40 ticket at the gate. But I can guarantee that more than a few New Hampshire Motor Speedway regulars looked around on Sunday morning and wondered if they got the date right. Will they come back? Maybe…maybe not.
Maybe that is the same answer sweeping across the nation wherever IndyCar stops. We all know NASCAR fans have cut back on their visits to the track, citing costs and economy. But time and again, it's been proven people will cough up cash if they are really excited about a product. It appears they're far more excited about seeing NASCAR in person than IndyCar. And after my first IndyCar race, I can see why.
S.D. Grady is an Assistant Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Watkins Glen Race Recap
by Bryan Davis Keith
Tuesday Morning Teardown: Time For The Glen To Get SAFER
by Ron Lemasters
Who's Hot / Who's Not In Sprint Cup: Watkins Glen-Michigan Edition
by Summer Dreyer
Bubble Breakdown: Rough Day For NASCAR's Road Course Ringers
by Brody Jones and Phil Allaway
The Big Six: Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen
by Amy Henderson
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1982, the Gabriel 400 at Michigan International Speedway was home to one of the longest race days in Sprint Cup history. Why is this so?
"I'll win a million bucks for anyone. I don't care. I just want to get to Victory Lane again. It just feels great right now. It's just a dream come true. The fans out there who have supported Richard Petty and this whole team through the turmoil last year, I can't thank them enough. We're gonna go onward and upward from here. It's a proud day. No one realizes how much everybody puts in to try to get to Victory Lane and when it actually happens, it's almost a surreal moment."- Marcos Ambrose, winner, on qualifying for the $3 million Sprint Bonus at Atlanta.
Make no mistake, this first win has been a long time coming for Marcos Ambrose. He has won three of the last four Nationwide Series events at Watkins Glen and has been oh-so-close to that first win that it was only a matter of time. Now, the tricky part begins for Ambrose. He feels that in order to prove his worth in NASCAR, he needs to win on an oval track. It's become somewhat of a quest for the holy grail for Ambrose and now he has to prove, not just to the NASCAR fan base, but to himself that he can win on the ovals as well. If he can keep this momentum going, then the first oval win won't be too far away.
Worst Quote:
"I'm more upset with Greg Biffle. He is the most unprofessional little scaredy cat I've ever seen in my life. He wouldn't even fight me like a man after. So, if someone texts me his address, I'll go see him Wednesday at his house and show him what he really needs. He needs a…whooping and I'm going to give it to him. He was flipping me off, giving me the finger. Totally unprofessional. Two laps down. I mean, he is a chump."- Boris Said, 22nd, on his post-race altercation with Greg Biffle.
Hmm, let's see here… dump David Ragan on the last lap, send two cars to the scrapyard, and get into a fight with Greg Biffle? Yeah, it's safe to say Boris Said has more than his share of pissed off NASCAR drivers right now. Boris needs to learn in NASCAR that he can't just plow over people to race for 22nd. And to be quite honest, he's damned lucky somebody didn't get seriously hurt after his careless actions. Greg Biffle was merely standing up for a teammate and if Boris can't handle that, then maybe he's worn out his welcome in NASCAR.
Most Controversial Quote:
"Yeah, I'm okay, I'm sore. That was a hard hit. I looked down at my feet and my pedals and my leg rests were all pushed over. It's a shame that a race track we go to in 2011 doesn't have a better wall design all the way around the race track, so hopefully they'll look at that. I've been to some dirt tracks that have better walls than that. It was a hard hit, but our cars are safe. Thanks to everyone back at home that builds us safe race cars."- David Ragan, 28th, on whether he was okay after his hard hit.
The most common denominator today from the drivers was the pleading and urgency for SAFER barriers all the way around the track. After Denny Hamlin's harrowing crash into the turn 1 wall in an incident eerily similar to Jimmie Johnson's hit in the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series race at The Glen and the scary last lap crash between David Reutimann and David Ragan, there were more than a fair share of drivers criticizing the walls at Watkins Glen. Ragan's comments were by far the most critical of the bunch and after the hits he took, who can blame him?
Best of the Rest:
"It was. At the beginning, it was pretty hairy. It started misting pretty good and there wasn't very good visibility for the spotters. From a driver's standpoint, it wasn't too bad. But, it was unpredictable in trying to guess at it from a crew chief standpoint. You never know when the rain is coming around here."- Jeff Gordon, 13th, on track conditions early in the race.
"My pride mostly. Something came in and kind of got into the uniform and ripped a hole in it there. So, something flew in there and got a hold of my shin and ate it up a little bit. I'm not exactly sure what, but just not a very good day for us. I've got to thank everybody at Aaron's, Best Western and Tums and the guys at MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing) for building me safe race cars. Just a pretty dismal day all day and didn't look like we were going to finish all that well, but I didn't figure we were going to finish that bad. Disappointing. Didn't really need to happen unfortunately, but that's just how it goes."- David Reutimann, 29th, on what hurt the most after his hard crash.
"Nothing really changes. Every week, we show up and try to get the most points we can. Nothing has changed all year for that. Might take a gamble to try and get a second win. If we miss on that and run out of fuel or something, at least we tried."- Paul Menard, 32nd, on his approach for the next few races following his hard crash at Watkins Glen.
"The only thing really maybe harder was the Talladega one I had when I had the concussion a couple years ago. That was about the worst. This was just terrifying because you know there's nothing you can do and you're headed straight for the fence. That was the scariest I've been in my car."- Denny Hamlin, 36th, on whether the throttle hung in his car.
Brody Jones is a Contributor to Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at brody.jones@frontstretch.com.
Today's Featured Commentary
My First IndyCar Race: Where Was Everybody?
Sitting In The Stands: A Fan's View
by S.D. Grady
That was an awesome race on Sunday. Oh? You didn't see one? Something about rain? Well, New Hampshire didn't suffer rain—we had moisture; which led to a controversial shortened event for the MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225. I left the track well satisfied with my first foray to an IZOD IndyCar event. I didn't arrive that way.
I think we all know there is a certain amount of competitive dislike between the Pointy Car Series and NASCAR. Despite a never ending exodus of drivers between the fender-free racing zone and our hefty stock car garage, the racing and fan base are different, and that leads to the inevitable, "My race was better than yours," mentality. I tried to enter into my race day with an open mind. After all, Indy cars are something I've ogled on TV since my youth. I visited the Brickyard last year and soaked in some of the pomp and glamour that is associated with these technologically advanced cars, even though it was the NASCAR weekend when I was there. Sunday, I really thought going to an Indycar event would be something different. People would cram the midway with their Honda hats, polos and tight shorts--very European and chic. I was so wrong. Must've been thinking F1 or something.
We stepped out of our Chevy Silverado and laughed. NHMS parked us where we usually pay for reserved camping for NASCAR, a nice easy flat, stone's throw from Turn 1. Then we stopped and listened. There was something very wrong. We could hear crickets in the August afternoon instead of the low purr of a thousand generators, thump of incoming helicopters and general mayhem associated with a Sprint Cup race morning.
This lack of a carnival atmosphere didn't change much as we approached the track. The midway was nearly barren, sporting only the IndyCar Fan Village, comparable to the Sprint Fan Zone. We looked a bit harder and spotted the AAA tent and a t-shirt store for IndyCar. That's right, one. Souvenirs were surprisingly priced below most NASCAR memorabilia, until you hit the polo-shirt racks.
We paid a modest $40 for general admission seats (I've paid higher for tickets to Thompson). Once inside the gates, we managed to find a Danica t-shirt trailer (which looked suspiciously like the one we see at NASCAR events) and a Graham-Rahal trailer. I walked in a little circle looking at wide open spaces. Music piped in over the sound system came from a can packed in the the 80's. I was beginning to suspect something, and it explains much about the rift that remains between the prestigious IndyCar Series and NASCAR's Sprint Cup.
IndyCar has not entirely embraced the art of showmanship. Not even close.
The racing was awesome. Three-wide, side-by-side, points battles, rookies making a lot of noise, a fire in the pits, an upside down car in the tire barrier--even the cautions for "moisture" could not dim my enjoyment of the actual racing. That show beat out any Sprint Cup battle I've witnessed in the last five years at the Magic Mile.
What I missed was the show before the show…where was it?
No crammed manufacturer's midway, no mall full of t-shirts and die-casts. No slot car racing, pre-race concert, flags flying over a sea of RV's, or even an army of logoed fans. Apparently, since the region is new to the IndyCar circuit, we thought better of displaying our NASCAR favorites, resulting in nameless sweaters and jeans. And crowds? Well, at 30,000 the track wasn't empty, just not full, which isn't any different from various IndyCar races I've checked out on TV this year.
Now, it is true we go to the track for the race…ostensibly. But when you're forfeiting the entire day to sit in traffic, waddle through mobs and sit on immoveable aluminum benches for hours on end, you do stop and consider if it's worth the $100. Isn't there a little something more to get out of the day? When I arrive for a NASCAR event and am entertained by free bracelets, t-shirts, bags, key chains, radio personalities and on-air TV shows before I've even seen a racecar, I perceive that my money has not been entirely wasted. If I bring a buddy for the first time, I am more than able to assure them that they'll find something to do. Did I mention all the food?
NASCAR and RJ Reynolds figured this race promotion deal out many years ago. Together they created a traveling circus that drew larger and larger crowds to their events. Times have changed and the sponsors' names on the tents have, too. Instead of beer and tobacco, now we see home improvement stores offering up handy tips. Did you ever visit the Craftsman Truck display back in the day? That was a killer rotating truck, with tire changing stations and air gun demos…
I entered into the IndyCar day with expectations of spectacle and was just stymied that after a hundred years of getting cars to go faster, any which way possible, that the sanctioning body hasn't considered what it takes to get fans into the seats at the track. Indianapolis Motor Speedway might be the Mecca to the racing community, but it appears the idolization of auto racing resides there, and only there.
As race time approached, a car with Acorn Stairlifts emblazoned on it was pushed past me. There were still more than two empty seats on either side of me. I wondered…is IndyCar stuck in the past? Do they believe that it only takes some good racing for about two hours to get people to fill up the stands? Are they thinking that such responsibility lies strictly with the track owners? Are they so blind? Or are they looking to the future where races are recorded in empty venues and broadcast to millions…maybe I'm the one living in the past.
For my part, I had a great time. Should IndyCar return to the Great Northern Woods, I'll pick up another $40 ticket at the gate. But I can guarantee that more than a few New Hampshire Motor Speedway regulars looked around on Sunday morning and wondered if they got the date right. Will they come back? Maybe…maybe not.
Maybe that is the same answer sweeping across the nation wherever IndyCar stops. We all know NASCAR fans have cut back on their visits to the track, citing costs and economy. But time and again, it's been proven people will cough up cash if they are really excited about a product. It appears they're far more excited about seeing NASCAR in person than IndyCar. And after my first IndyCar race, I can see why.
S.D. Grady is an Assistant Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud: Watkins Glen Race Recap
by Bryan Davis Keith
Tuesday Morning Teardown: Time For The Glen To Get SAFER
by Ron Lemasters
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FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1982, the Gabriel 400 at Michigan International Speedway was home to one of the longest race days in Sprint Cup history. Why is this so?
Monday's Answer:
Q: Today's race is only the third Watkins Glen Sprint Cup event to be pushed back a day due to rain, and the fourth overall to be threatened by it. In 1992, when the race was shortened to 51 laps due to rain, Todd Bodine made his Cup Series debut driving a No. 34 Diet Pepsi-sponsored Ford. However, things didn't go all that well. What happened to Todd in the race?
A: Todd Bodine spun his No. 34 Ford into the wet grass in Turn 10 on Lap 18 and hit the tire barriers. He was already off the pace, as he was not far from being lapped for the second time when he wrecked. The wreck can be seen at the 1:06 mark of this clip.
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Coming Tuesday in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Summer Dreyer
-- Full Throttle by Mike Neff
-- Numbers Game by Brett Poirier
-- Links to your favorite Frontstretch articles, and more!
Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Beyond the Cockpit: Wes Collier as told to Mike Neff
Our own Mike Neff sat down with the General Manager of Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis to discuss what ultimately led to the track losing the Nationwide Series to Indianapolis Motor Speedway after 30 years. It's a great interview.
Did You Notice... by Tom Bowles
Tom returns with his bunch of weekly discussion points. Among them: Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s Chase status, a record-setting year of first-time winners and so much more.
Voice of Vito by Vito Pugliese
Vito returns with a piece on the rivalry between Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch. Could it play a huge role down the stretch? Find out whether Vito thinks it will in his commentary.
Five Points To Ponder by Danny Peters
Switching in for Bryan, Danny jumps in with his weekly edition of talking points to tie up Watkins Glen and get us set for the week of NASCAR news ahead.
Which driver came out of Watkins Glen on top of our 2011 Power Rankings chart? Jimmie Johnson? Carl Edwards? Kevin Harvick? Someone else? Find out who our select Frontstretch experts have labeled as this week's favorite heading into Michigan.
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