Pole Vaulting
OK, OK, I know, I know. It’s not where you start but where you finish that matters. Still, I think Jeff Gordon is on a mission, and his vault to the front portends a Martinsville victory.
Think about it, this guy had one, count ‘em one practice lap! Of course, his 7 wins at Martinsville is only bested by Richard Petty (who won 15 times there), and Darrell Waltrip (he visited Victory Lane 11 times at this venue). For those of you who doubt the greatness of the Rainbow Warrior, consider all the variety of tracks he wins on. Road courses, Super Speedways, short tracks- he wins ‘em all!
Now, I will admit winning the pole doesn’t guarantee the win on Sunday. If that were true, Ryan Newman would have 4 Cups by now. It amazes me how you have guys like Tony Stewart, who regularly start towards the back and contends, and the you have guys like Newman and Kasey Kahne- who have the opposite result.
Here at Martinsville, it will matter. Have you seen this track? I swear it looks like they’re running on my aunt and uncle’s driveway! If I didn’t know better, I’d say they paved over my local dirt track. I don’t know how they fit 43 cars on this track. Not that they’ll all be out there long. We’re being promised full contact racing. It will be interesting to see what effect the safer Car of Tomorrow has on the outcome.
Grabbing the pole will be smart. With this kind of race, running out in front of the carnage will be the smarter course. Being a smart track strategist, I’m sure Gordon and crew chief Steve Letarte have a plan to run smartly and safely.
Somehow you knew this guy would be out front.
It’s been that kind of year for Jeff Gordon.
