October 6th - October 10th, 2008
Wednesday: Did your driver survive the Talladega carnage, or did the Big One spell disaster for his spot in the Top 15? Find out where the Frontstretch Staff rates your favorite in this week's Power Rankings!
Thursday: Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off about whether a broadcaster's interest in a race team constitutes a conflict of interest when they're on the air.
Friday: Our John Potts tells it like it is in racing because he lived it - and he'll share it all with you in Driven to the Past.
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Last season, following every Nextel Cup event, I wrote an installment discussing the best and worst moments of the race. Well, with a new season comes new articles. Now the focus is primarily on the best moments, the top spots of the race. From the top driver to the top team, the top surprise to the top heartache, the best and worst installments are now much more interesting, and that much more optimistic.
Now that North Carolina is a simple memoir in the scrapbook of the NASCAR world, fans now look to Fontana for the second event of the season. This year, the drivers did not disappoint. After tire troubles and engine failures, the race narrowed down to a three car battle in the closing laps. Greg Biffle emerged the winner, while drivers such as Jimmie Johnson and Joe Nemechek were left wondering what could have been.
I usually try to find someone other than the race winner to be the top driver, but in this case I have to go with Greg Biffle. Biffle told the world he would lead by lap 5, and did not falter in keeping his word. Then, the third year veteran outraced Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson with a poor handling race car to claim his fourth victory in his career, and a second win in the last three races.
The top team at Fontana was the 48 crew. After every car using anything close to a Hendrick engine struggled to finish the 500 miles, team 48 managed to earn a second place finish. They were the only Hendrick team to finish in the top 20. After the performance they delivered at California, look for the 48 team to return to their winning ways in the next few weeks.
Joe Nemechek had the top heartache in the Auto Club 500. The 01 team led the most laps in the event and looked to be destined for victory lane, however engine woes resulted in a lowly 39th place finish. Nemechek had an opportunity to gain ground in the points, but after only earning 56 points in the Auto Club 500, Nemechek fell 12 positions in the points standings, and now ranks 24th in season standings.
The top surprise of the race? Obviously, the Hendrick engine fiasco tops the list. Jeff Gordon lost his points lead, Scott Riggs and Joe Nemechek had great runs ended by malfunctions, and only one Hendrick engine finished inside the top 20. It is always unusual to see a Hendrick car malfunction in a race, it is truly amazing to see all but one Hendrick engine fail an event.
At the next Nextel Cup race, Joe Nemechek and Scott Riggs will certainly be drivers to watch. Riggs had a great run at Daytona, Nemechek was near victory at California, and the team will be looking to continue their streak of success heading into the third event of the season.
Still haven’t joined the Frontstretch Forums? Here’s a peek at what you’re
missing this week:
How do you feel about A.J. Allmendinger’s release from Red Bull Racing?
Are you surprised to see Paul Menard leaving DEI?
If you’d prefer to stay out of controversial NASCAR topics, feel free to join us in The Infield, where we talk about everything from politics to stick and ball sports to jokes and odd news from around the world.
And for those of you that might visit The Frontstretch Forums to kill time, feel free to join in our Games forum. It’s the perfect place to waste away countless hours playing word association, hangman, and much, much more.
Click here to join the forums and tell us what you think. Don’t miss out on a chance to share your opinion with a growing community of fans just like you!
Message Board Quote of the Week: “I don’t see how Rusty + DEI + COT = competitive on the racetrack in 2009. I do see how Rusty could hook a sponsor, though, which DEI needs more than ever with Paul Menard leaving and taking the Menards money with him.” Scott B on rumors that Rusty Wallace would be making a return to NASCAR behind the wheel of a DEI-owned machine
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