Surrender at Richmond
With a certain measure of disappointment, I grapple with the fact that Junior didn’t make the Chase. He fought valiantly and raced pretty darn well until his engine blew at the end. Yet, when it all comes down, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch just wouldn’t be denied.
Like him or not, give Dale Earnhardt, Jr. respect. He laid it all out on the track and probably deserved a better fate in 2007. You won’t count me among conspiracy theorists, but DEI had some real crappy engines this year. Just like he said in the post-race interview, the number eight car ran well all year long, but it’s been one problem after another that doesn’t relate to driving. Junior showed heart, respect, and class throughout all this. Junior Nation, you can count on this: Junior will keeping pressing on give you plenty to cheer about as the last 10 races run.
Other Reflections from Richmond
(with a rock ‘n’ roll twist. Hey’s its the Chevy Rock ‘n’ Roll 400)
Top Jimmie.- If you have the album 1984 by Van Halen, you know the song. “Top Jimmy cooks, top Jimmy swings. He’s got the looks, top Jimmy- he’s the king.” Look out world! Jimmie Johnson is on the move! I’m going out on a limb and predicting a repeat for the Lowe’s 48 Chevy. The HMS boys have got it going on.
All The Young Dudes/strong>. A Mott The Hoople classic from the 70s. Some young dudes sure looked good tonight. David Ragan posts his 2nd top five of the yearand the #70 car of Johnny “NASCAR Prime Time” Sauter posted his firt top 5. On top of that, young ‘ens Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex and Denny Hamlin are all in the Chase. Ragan was just crazy fast at the end tonight.
Blaze Of Glory. This Bon Jovi tune seems fitting for Junior for all the appropriate reasons.
Ring Of Fire Yeah, I know it’s a country song, but this Johnny Cash classic from 1962 is fitting for tonight and it was a pop hit for the “Man In Black.” Tonight’s race was just filled with lots fender bending, tire blowouts and engine blow-ups. It was almost a given that Harvick would get in, because we were running out of cars. Give “Happy” credit, he sure threaded the needle through several wrecks.
Slipping AwayThis 1983 hit by former Rockpile front man Dave Edmunds may describe Jeff Gordon’s hopes if he doesn’t get himself right soon. He’s still driving well enough, but man, Jimmie has stolen his teammates mojo. It just seems that whatever Gordon comes up with these days isn’t good enough.
Well, the Chase begins in earnest next week at the Miracle Mile in New Hampshire. As good as Johnson is right now, I wouldn’t count out the likes of Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards or Matt Kenseth. Heck, they’re all good.
I’m not sure I’ve formed a real strong opinion about the Chase, other than to say that the guys there are deserving.
It will make for fun watching.
Ya’ll stay tuned.
