RACING
RACING |
Ten years after Alan Kulwicki came out of seemingly nowhere to win a Winston Cup title, another Wisconsinite is threatening to make a major mark in a cup chase, as Matt Kenseth won his second event of the season on Monday to cap off a rain soaked weekend. Was Kenseth worried during the rain delays??? Well as he said on TV, he spent most of the time playing Madden "trying to get the Packers back in the Super Bowl". Damn, I like that kid. By the way, this is why you have cable, and this is why it isn't a bad idea to work third shift or to get a Monday off once in a while. Although the number of cameras used in the race telecast was reduced from 36 to 25, the one day delay did not have much of an effect at the gate, as an estimated 187,000 of the 215,000 tickholders showed up (Yes, we know it's the total attendance of three Cowboy games). Any more questions about the popularity of NASCAR.
After Friday qualifying, the Cup cars did not see the track again until Monday. The Busch series cars did finally manage to get an abbreviated race in on Saturday, the highlight being a crash sending Michael Waltrip's car upside down and on fire. Other than that though, concerns about speed and the new pavement allowing only one groove went for the most part unfounded. In fact, the rain brought the speed down about 5 MPH, in part resulting in the smoothest Cup race even ran in the six-year history of TMS.
TEXAS RECAP
Twelve drivers did break the previous track record in qualifying, with Bill Elliott winning his second pole of the year at over 194 MPH. Matt Kenseth blew an engine (allegedly) after qualifying team and starts at the rear of the field for the second time in four weeks. Remember, we're on a newly paved, one groove track, so don't worry about the #17 being a factor (lol). Also, it is announced beforehand that there would be a NASCAR-mandated yellow 35 laps in so teams can check for tire wear, as is the usual protocol on newly repaved tracks.
After a couple of extra warm up laps we go free, and the first segment of the race goes incident free, with Ricky Rudd setting the pace and putting a half-dozen machines, including Jerry Nadeau, a lap down. Shawna Robinson actually qualified 16th, a scary thought, and quickly makes her way to the rear. There's a good gimmick for the Winston, have Shawna start from the pole. Ricky Rudd sets the early pace, sending about a half-dozen cars, including Jerry Nadeau to an early one lap deficit by the time the competition yellow (sounds like a bush-league ASA ploy) flies. Big movers during this segment include Tony Stewart (29th to 11th), Jimmy Spencer (+9), Ryan Newman (+17), and Rusty Wallace (+14).
All cars pit during the yellow, Tony Stewart is in and out in 15.3, Dale Jarrett in 15.8, and Bill Elliott 15.9. Stacy Compton qualified sixth and had a strong run up to fourth, but got trapped in his pit stall and lost ten positions. The temperatures of the tires were running at about 200 degrees well below the 265 that is considered the danger zone. A second yellow would occur on Lap 48 due to Brett Bodine�s right window coming off for the second time in four weeks. That would earn Brett a trip to the NASCAR trailer afterwards. The next restart would mark the beginning of a long green-flag run. For once, Yates Racing would set the tone with Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd leading the way, and would soon place the likes of Kevin Harvic, Ward Burton and Jeff Green a lap in arrears. Meanwhile, Matt Kenseth would crack the top ten by Lap 85 as the sun makes an appearance, raising the track temperature significantly. A round of green flag stops ensue, with Jarrett�s team posting a 14.0, while Jeff Gordon went through in 15.2, Rusty Wallace 16.0, Dale Jr. 15.3, Mark Martin 16.2, Ryan Newman 16.4, and Kevin Harvick 15.0. Dale Jr. and Elliott Sadler would lead laps during this cycle. Ken Schrader�s crew left a wrench in so the #36 had to make a return stop.
Jarrett and Rudd continue their domination as the race approaches the halfway point, could it finally be Yates day??? We�re now down to 17 cars on the lead lap as Rudd starts to reel in his teammate, with Rusty Wallace running his usual quiet third, Mark Martin a quiet fourth, and Kurt Busch in fifth. The #28 and #88 pit together for the next round of green flag stops. Jeff Gordon gets service in 14.9, Tony Stewart 16.8, Rusty Wallace 14.3, Sterling Marlin 16.1, and Mark Martin 15.6. Kurt Busch�s stop is only 14.3, but stalls for a few seconds getting out.
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Shawna helps end Junior's day... |
As the race gets back to a green flag flavor, Jimmy Johnson moves into contention and is the fastest car on the track. Meanwhile, Kurt Busch is complaining of a vibration and would soon pit to get new tires (15.6). Luck starts to turn on the Yates boys as Ricky Rudd complains of a stuck throttle. Then Dale Jarrett somehow runs out of gas on the backstretch, then is blocked in by Jeff Gordon in the pits. The #88 would find itself two laps down and out of contention after that. Other stop times during that sequence include Jimmie Johnson at 17.5, Rusty Wallace 14.7, Mark Martin 16.1. The next caution would occur on Lap 239 when Robby Gordon does his weekly spin. Matt Kenseth had not pitted yet, a huge break. After this sequence Mike Skinner suddenly finds himself in third while Jeff Green is in fifth. The next green-flag run would find Jeff Burton making an unscheduled stop and then the engine of Ryan Newman letting go on Lap 254, bringing the yellow out again. Dale Jr. would make a brief return, then park for the day with a 42nd place finish. Newman with the blown engine finishes 40th. Meanwhile on pit road, Tony Stewart rolls the dice with a 2-tire stop.
On the restart Matt Kenseth is now in front, while Stewart starts to fade. Bobby LaBonte sustains damage on the restart, while Jeff Green moves into third. Jeff Gordon starts to make his move, first going past teammate Jimmie Johnson and thn passing the machines of Jimmy Spencer and Rusty Wallace to move into fourth. Teams start contemplating final green-flag stops with 30 laps remaining. Jeff Green is the first to come in and takes on two tires. But then Kurt Busch blows a right rear and spins, bring out the caution. Jimmy Johnson and Tony Stewart take on four fresh skins while Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace and Matt Kenseth go with two. On the final restart Kenseth pulls away one final time while Gordon is fending off a charging Mark Martin for second. Tony Stewart is stuck in traffic and cannot make much headway. Kenseth wins, becoming the second driver to start from the rear and come up victorious, followed by Gordon, Martin, Rudd, Stewart, Johnson (fifth straight top ten), Sterling Marlin (a quiet but efficient seventh), Jimmy Spencer, Bill Elliott, and Terry LaBonte. Rusty Wallace faded to 11th, and other notables included Mike Skinner (12th), Ricky Craven (14th), Dave Blaney (15th), Jeff Green (16th), Elliott Sadler (17th), Dale Jarrett (24th), Kevin Harvick (a disappointing 25th), Bobby LaBonte (30th), and Jerry Nadeau (32nd). For the record, the seven winners this season have started from an average position of 27th. So next week, you can look for half the field to change engines after practice. In the season standings, Kenseth cuts Marlin�s lead to 70 points. They are followed by Jimmie Johnson (-119), Rusty Wallace (-132), Mark Martin (-144), Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Ricky Rudd, Bill Elliott, and Dale Jr. Kevin Harvick ranks as the big disappointment of the year in 22nd place.
MARTINSVILLE PREVIEW
We cut the speeds in half this week for the short-track world before putting on the restrictor plates for Talladega. Then comes the two-mile track in California before another short-track encounter in Richmond. The next month truly offers something for everyone. How old is the Martinsville track by the way??? Research indicates that Martinsville�s first race was a 10-lap chariot feature nearly 2000 years ago, with Charlton Heston holding off a fierce rival from Rome. The Roman had knocked out about half the field with his spiked lugnuts before engaging in a whipping duel with the future NRA president. Heston ends up getting the better of his rival, and the Roman would be ejected from his perch and then trampled by the lapped chariot from Carthage (driven by either Dick Trickle or Dave Marcus). Heston and fans celebrate while the Roman is taken to the infield care center, where doctors are recommending that both legs be amputated. The Roman is defiant, refusing an Alex Zanardi like fate and ends up dying from his injuries. Oh well, just one of those chariot racing deals. Seriously, with it�s tight narrow corners, chariots may be faster. The most important piece of equipment this weekend will be the car shocks. Track position will also be imparative. The good news is since Martinsville has two dates a year, there is plenty of history, and plenty of research to go on.PRIME CONTENDERS
Jeff Burton � No wins, but two seconds, two thirds, and two fifths in his last seven Martinsville outings, that does not make for a bad batting average at all.
Dale Jarrett � DJ showed what he is still capable of, and the recent crew chief shakeup at Robert Yates seems to have helped out as well. Jarrett is the defending champion of the Spring race, and has four top fives in his last eight races here.
Rusty Wallace � Rusty qualified great here last year (2nd/9th) but the finishes (13th/15th) were slightly disappointing. Still, Rust has been driving well and not a bad bet at all on the shorties.
Jeff Gordon � Speaking of great qualifying, the #24 started first and third here last year, and has five career top fives here, winning in the fall of �96 and �99.
Tony Stewart � Stew has the qualifying records in both the Spring and Fall races, both set in 2000. Another short track force.
Jimmy Spencer � His 2001 finishes here were not spectacular (9th/14th), but like him or not, will be a factor all day. A top five should await.
Ricky Craven � Visited Victory lane for the first time with a win in last falls race.
Mark Martin � A Spring 2000 winner here.
Matt Kenseth � Finished sixth in the Spring �01 race, can�t go against him now.
Sterling Marlin � Finished fifth last Spring, so don�t count the #40 out here neither.
LONG SHOTS
Kurt Busch � Led 38 laps in the fall race, will be trying to make it two for two on the shorties.
Bobby Hamilton � Believe it or not led the most laps in both the Spring (130), and Fall (92) races.
Dale Jr. � First, I would like to thank Dale for killing me in Yahoo at both Daytona and now Texas. Seriously though, did place and 11th last Spring and is beginning to show his stuff on the short circuits.
Jimmy Johnson � Five top tens in a row, so what if he�s never raced a Cup car here. Young drivers cut their teeth at these kind of places.
Jeff Green � Beginning to show something as well, no reason not to expect a top-fifteen.
Ellott Sadler - A wild-card pick if the Wood bros. patented "fuel-conservation race" strategy (i.e. trying to make it on one less stop than everyone else) pays off.
SHAKY PICK
Kevin Harvick � Who is he going to fight with at the end of this race???
Look for the final finish to be as follows: 1. Stewart, 2. J. Gordon, 3. Kenseth, 4. J. Burton, 5. Wallace, 6. Martin, 7. Marlin, 8. Busch, 9. Jarrett, 10. Hamilton
The odds (for informational purposes) from NASCARODDS are as follows: Rudd 3-1, Marlin 4-1, B. LaBonte 9-2, Kenseth 5-1, Wallace 6-1, Stewart 7-1, J. Gordon 8-1, J. Burton 9-1, Jarrett 10-1, Martin 11-1, Craven 12-1, Johnson 13-1, Newman 14-1, Dale Jr. 15-1, Elliott 16-1, Spencer 17-1, Hamilton 18-1, W. Burton 19-1, Harvick 20-1, Mayfield 22-1, Nadeau 24-1, Busch 26-1, Sadler 28-1, Waltrip 30-1, Benson 32-1, Park 34-1, Schrader 36-1, T. LaBonte 38-1, Blaney 40-1, Compton 42-1, Andretti 44-1, J. Green 46-1, Petty 48-1, R. Gordon 50-1, Skinner 55-1, Bodine 60-1, Atwood 65-1, Stricklin 70-1, Buckshot 75-1, Mast 80-1, Sauter 85-1, Hornaday 90-1
In Silly Season news, rumors continue to swirl about Joe Nemechek replacing Buckshot Jones in the #44. The Nemechek camp however claims they are still committed to the remnants of the Travis Carter operation.