Earlier This Week at Bump-Drafts:
Fri. Feb. 6- Fearless Forecast, The 2009 Season Edition, Thurs. Feb. 5- Talkin’ ‘Bout Teams: Are Things Looking Up At Michael Waltrip Racing?, Wed. Feb. 4- Driver Profile: Sam Hornish Jr.- IRL Stud, NASCAR Survivor, Tues. Feb. 3- Bench Racing with Patrick Reynolds- A Tribute to NASCAR Parents, Mon. Feb. 2- Talkin’ ‘Bout Teams: Exploring the Yates- Roush- Hall of Fame Connection
TODAY
In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “It’s deja vu all over again” for Kevin Harvick. In a scene reminiscent of his 2007 Daytona 500 victory, Kevin Harvick snipes the lead and the win in a wild and crazy conclusion to the 2009 Budweiser Shootout.
Poor Jamie Mc Murray. Once he lost drafting partner Matt Kenseth, he was a dead duck. Jamie Mac was surrounded by Chevrolets on the green/white/ checkered finish, and it was only a matter of time before someone in that gaggle of Bowties would overtake.
I was actually pretty impressed with how long he held his opponents off.
I know it’s not a “points race”, but Mustang Jackie called it with her prediction that Robby Gordon would be the catalyst for the first wreck of the season. It was tap of David Ragan that triggered the collision that collected these two, plus rookies Scott Speed and Joey Logano.
Welcome to NASCAR boys.
This year’s shootout set records for lead changes and cautions. Say what you want
about the CoT and restrictor plate racing- but the last two races at Super Speedways have produced a head spinning number of lead changes and dramatic (but thankfully not life-threatening) crashes.
I’m with “Happy.” If you didn’t like this race, you don’t like racing.
The Rocky Balboa Award goes to Greg Biffle. That guy got turned every which way but loose, and he darn near managed to finish the race.
Other random thoughts
Props: To Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and A.J. Allmendinger for rounding out the top 5 behind Jamie Mac. Look at this: you’ve got 3 of 4 manufacturers represented, a newly minted driver/owner (Stewart), a former champ (Gordon) proving he’s not washed up, and you’ve got two drivers (Mc Murray and Allmendinger) basically racing for rides.
What’s happening with Tony Stewart? The man has a new lease on life with his new situation. He’s looking happy and relaxed.
What a bummer: Bobby Labonte was looking pretty racy until he got collected late in the race.
Of cause for concern: Man, those guys looked like they were driving Mario Kart off-roaders the way that car was shimmying around. You could really see the cars were a handful for just about everybody tonight.
The Un-Luckiest Guys in NASCAR???? That’s my wife’s assessment of fan favorites Michael Waltrip and Elliott Sadler. Both drivers got their cars pretty torn up tonight.
I don’t know about you- but I’m rather happy to be talkin’ about new from the track, rather than news off of it.
Speaking for myself- I was glad to hear Darrell Waltrip begin the race with his trade mark charge “Boogity, boogity, boogity..let’s go racin’ boys.”
PHOTO CREDIT- Kevin Harvick by Walter G. Arce. More of his work may be found at flickr. com. Crash photo by amanda480743.
