The Frontstretch: Big One Not Just For Plate Races Anymore by Dennis Michelsen -- Monday June 26, 2006

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Big One Not Just For Plate Races Anymore

Making the Grade : Infineon · Dennis Michelsen · Monday June 26, 2006

 

Pace Laps

Seemed fitting to hear Cheech say, “Fire em up!”

Simple fact…if this track was in Nebraska they would never race here!

Can we bring back Riverside?

Race Grade: C+
I have no issues with road course racing being part of NASCAR…I do have an issue with this racetrack! It is too narrow to accommodate full size stock cars and allow the best drivers in the world to put on a great show!

F for Cal Wells’ No. 32 Team
How can you pay $400,000 for a new car and end up running so bad? The team's 37th place finish with road course ringer Ron Fellows had to leave regular driver Travis Kvapil saying, "I could have done that!"

D for Scott Pruett
Note to Scott…you were brought in to race because the team thought David Stremme wouldn't be able to stay on the track. The only way Pruett would have spun any more often is if he had been on a tilt-a-whirl! Also his many banzai moves bouncing off series regulars seemed out of character for this road course ace.

C for Clint Bowyer
Sixteenth is nothing to brag about, but it could have been a lot worse for this talented rookie. Bowyer has proven to be a quick study in his young career, so I would not be surprised to see a Top 10 finish at Watkins Glen.

B for Terry Labonte
Who cares that it took some amazing gas mileage to get this team in the Top 5…they still got it done! Texas Terry was his ultra smooth self, and showed why he is one of the best road course racers in the history of Nextel Cup. Say it ain't so, Iceman, don't call it quits yet because NASCAR needs you!

A for Jeff Gordon
In one weekend, Jeff Gordon grabbed his seventy-fourth career win and his second marriage proposal. For Jeff's sake, I hope there is less time between the wins and more times between the divorces!

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