Fan columnist: Dover Chase race was riveting

By Calvin Rowland - SceneDaily Fan Columnist
Thursday, September 25, 2008
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SceneDaily

Why are we NASCAR fans? Anyone who watched the Dover race would know why.
 
The last 25 laps of the Dover race, with three Roush Fenway Racing drivers duking it, out was simply incredible. Twice, on the track, the third-place car went to first place in a single pass. That is awesome!

Even if your favorite driver wasn’t battling for the lead, you had to feel nervous for the three drivers who were. You could feel the tension while Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards all raced for the lead. I didn’t think anything could top the Cubs clinching the National League Central division this weekend, but, holy cow, this race was fun to watch.
 
We were due for a good race. The fans needed a good race. After the humongous mess that was the Brickyard, a sentiment started up that the racing going on in Cup was very subpar.
 
The announcers tried to keep their monotonous professionalism in tact, but mercifully Andy Petree spoke up, and the rest of them piled on in giddy fashion. Petree does a great job. He is the best announcer since NASCAR changed to major networks in 2001.The current trio of announcers are not too bad.
 
You can reset the points every two weeks, but NASCAR still must have good races. If the only story that comes out of race day is where the top 12 ended in points, then that is a snoozer of a race. Don’t worry about expanding into other areas of the country. Simply race at the tracks that provide the best races.
 
NASCAR also needs to keep the best drivers. Chip Ganassi Racing is struggling. This summer Ganassi shut down the 40 team, and there are rumors of mergers and buyouts. In 2002, the No. 40 team with Sterling Marlin was a contender until Marlin broke his neck at the Kansas Speedway. Jamie McMurray won filling in for Marlin, proving what a strong team it was.

If Ganassi closes, it would be great to keep Juan Pablo Montoya in NASCAR. You must admire his aggressive attitude and confidence on the track. We need to see if Montoya’s talent is better than his equipment. JPM had a win in 2007, but it was due to fuel mileage at Infineon. Montoya turned 33 last weekend, and he should still be young enough catch the eye of a top team owner. If Kevin Harvick wasn’t associated with Richard Childress Racing, JPM would have been a good fit there.
 
In nine out of the last 10 races, Kevin Harvick has finished in the top 10. Indy was the only exception, but that wasn’t much of a race. You can’t finish in the top 10 that many times and not end up winning soon. I remember Harvick being good on fuel as he won a few races at the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway in 2001 and 2002. ABC/ESPN will try to hype up the fuel mileage at Kansas as exciting, but the Dover ending was a monster of a finish.

Mentioned Drivers: Kyle Busch

Comments

3 responses to "Fan columnist: Dover Chase race was riveting". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    Gregory Howe said:
    Sep 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM

    Go Ford, G O C U B S !

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  2. 2
    judy collier said:
    Sep 25, 2008 at 4:03 PM

    Andy petree would make a great crew chief
    for Jr's team.He sure did a good job with
    Dale Sr.

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  3. 3
    Patricia Cole said:
    Sep 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM

    Calvin, I live in Chicagoland too and I try to have monthly race viewings but I haven't had one since March because I can't find people who want to come. If you or anyone wants to send me an e-mail it's nascar1dei@yahoo.com
    Trisha

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2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
5 Tony Stewart -279
6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

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