The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series raced at Texas Motor Speedway this past week. The biggest story being that the field managed to run the final 234 laps under green. At least that's what ended up being the biggest story. 43 Drivers at NASCAR's most elite level should be able to run 234 laps under green more often in my opinion. But all over twitter and social media fans voiced their opinions. "Texas was boring", "Bad race with no restarts", etc. Even in the NASCAR on FOX Television coverage you could hear Larry McReynolds, Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip almost begging for a caution it seemed, at least referring to it several times throughout the last 50 laps. Is this not what we were climbing up David Reutimann's tail pipe for a couple weeks ago? Causing a late race caution that changed the complexion of the race? I would bet the farm that a late race caution at Texas would have caused a totally different outcome.
Back in the old days of NASCAR it wasn't uncommon for there to be several cautions. But it also wasn't uncommon for race winners margin of victory to be measured in laps not tenths of a second. The 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington actually holds the record for the widest margin of victory, 14 Laps. Ned Jarrett took the checkered flag 14 laps ahead of Buck Baker. This is also regarded as one of the most wild Southern 500's ever, but regardless there's no race for the win, no contest at all. Richard Petty won one of his many Daytona 500's by 2 laps. Even a late race restart couldn't "fix" that race. This happened many times. If you're a fan of wrecking this is all acceptable, you're not watching the leaders anyway you're watching for a wreck. What about Michigan? Three races held there have had no cautions at all! 1973, 1984, 1999. Were they all terrible races because they had no cautions?
Texas did have two cautions, yes the record for fewest at that track. The first being our favourite, a "debris" caution. Lap 67 for "debris" in turn 4. This turns out to be a ball cap. Also at lap 93 Trevor Bayne has some bad luck slapping the wall. So you got two restarts. There were two extra chances for 43 of NASCAR's elite drivers to wreck, and imagine that they didn't! Bet their car owners patted them on the back.
In my opinion races like this past Texas race are the ultimate test. Its the ultimate test of drivers focus at race speed, feeling the forces of the inside of a race car is physically demanding lap after lap. It is the ultimate test of your pit crew, to go through so many cycles of green flag pitstops, getting the job done with no mistakes and not losing track position. It is also the ultimate test of your equipment and set-up. With less cautions to make large set-up changes, you have to get it right early and build on small green flag stop changes. The engine and drivetrain had better be the best its ever been too because with the last 234 laps run under green there's no rest.
This race had several cars on the lead lap, and a pass for the lead with 30 laps to go. There was great side-by-side racing and action all around the track. No my favourite driver didn't win, and yes a late race caution COULD have made a difference. Kudos to NASCAR for not throwing a phantom "debris" caution to make a great hard fought battle more "interesting"
If you're looking for more wrecking at NASCAR's elite level, Maybe instead you could turn to your local county fair. Theres a demolition derby coming to one, near you.
Smitty OUT
My favorite driver didn't win either, matter of fact one of those "phantom" cautions might have helped Jeff go from P4 to P1. Then again, it might not! I've got no problem with cautions when they really ARE cautions. I never like phantom cautions, IMO they make NASCAR look like the WWE. NASCAR has enuf problems of their own making (such as having ONE very un-objective man hear an appeal of a decision made by a panel).
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I'm not sure we were watching the same race! I guess I must have taken a snooze & missed the great side-by-side racing all over the track. Maybe they use different cameras on the Canook side? ;) The best racing came at the end, the pass made by Biffle for the lead was awesome. It's a shame the rest of the race didn't have many of those moments.
I don't mind lots of green flag laps as long as they have a lot of action. Do I get caught up in the excitement of a wreck? Of course! But I also enjoy the tension & drama of extremely close racing, bumping & beating & banging, without the wrecking.
I think the biggest problem with Texas was that the pre-race hype was so over the top the race itself became a mere footnote. I understand the need for promotion but it shouldn't be so overstated that the actual event can't possibly match up.