October 6th - October 10th, 2008
Monday: Did Regan Smith get the short end of the rulebook at Talladega? And what about Goodyear's explosive weekend? Bryan Davis Keith gives the rundown on NASCAR's low down day in Alabama.
Tuesday: The Voice of Vito tells you why Talladega was a microcosm of the Chase in 2008 - and how that spells championship for Jimmie Johnson.
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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Making the Grade: Talladega
A Day Late But Not a Big One Shy · Dennis Michelsen · Tuesday May 2, 2006
Pace Laps
A day late, but very few empty seats…now those are race fans!
Great line by Mike Joy: "Checkered flag fever!"
Larry Mac summed up what it takes to finish strong at Talladega: Avoid the Big One. Too bad it takes more luck here than skill!
Another example on Sunday of a classy approach to the National Anthem by Edwin McCain"¦he didn’t try to make the song his! Good job!
Race Grade: B+
Yes this was an exciting "event" but hardly racing the way we should have racing in NASCAR. Restrictor-plate racing puts fannies in the seats, so it won’t be going away any time soon, but give me a good old fashioned short track any day.
F for Kyle Busch
No, the "Big One" was not all his fault, but stuffing your car in there five wide that early in the race was just plain stupid! The crazy thing about plate racing is that the guy that makes the dumb move to get the wreck started seldom gets caught up in the mess, but Kyle did in this one.
D for Mark Martin’s Bad Luck
It doesn’t matter if Martin runs up front, in the middle, or way in the back, trouble seems to find him at restrictor plate races. Isn’t it ironic that the one time this race went caution free that Mark Martin was the winner? Not this time.
C for NASCAR’s Lack of Consistency on Rules
Denny Hamlin got dinged for aggressive driving, yet no penalty is handed down to anyone else? Hamlin wasn’t the only guy driving aggressive all day, yet he was the only one penalized. Once again, NASCAR’s lack of consistency is hard to explain.
B for Tony Stewart
Another race, another top finish for the defending champion. Smoke is already in midseason form, which is a scary thought for everyone else this season. If he has his usual strong second half, he could make a joke of the championship Chase!
A for Jimmie Johnson
Do we have a new king of restrictor-plate racing? Johnson backed up his somewhat controversial win at Daytona with another solid effort. Staying out of trouble until late in the race, Johnson found the right dancing partner to get to the front when it paid!
Still haven’t joined the Frontstretch Forums? Here’s a peek at what you’re
missing this week:
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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.
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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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