[smokefan20]

That was the worst talladega race ever!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by smokefan20

That was the worst talladega race ever!

It had its moments.

"...worst talladega race ever!" Hmmm...???

Not wanting to make any insinuations here but - this is just a wild guess - could the fact that Stewart didn't pull off a win have anything to do with your assessment of the race?

[JBurtonFanInMayberry]

I thought it was an exciting race...especially when Gordon slipped right in front of Stewart...

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It had its moments.

"...worst talladega race ever!" Hmmm...???

Not wanting to make any insinuations here but - this is just a wild guess - could the fact that Stewart didn't pull off a win have anything to do with your assessment of the race?

Very good Bob, you took the question right out of my keyboard. The race was a bit dry when they were all running the top but as usual with less than 80 laps to go things began to happen. Tony just made a couple of bonehead moves at the end and is now paying the price. Real happy to see the results for Blaney.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Very good Bob, you took the question right out of my keyboard. The race was a bit dry when they were all running the top but as usual with less than 80 laps to go things began to happen. Tony just made a couple of bonehead moves at the end and is now paying the price. Real happy to see the results for Blaney.

Personally I'd rate it as a pretty typical Talladega race. Lots of jockeying at the start, a yawner in the middle, "The Big One" around the 2/3's -3/4's marker, then a slam-bang, "How'd he do that?" finish.

I got the feeling that the first third of the race was centered around the drivers figuring out the new car. After that it was merely another Talladega race.

Whata'ya wanta bet that Childress either gets another engine builder or we've seen the last of this new Chevie head in his, and DEI cars for awhile? Ducky has more knowledge in this area than do I. I'd be interested in his take on the situation. (hint!)

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Personally I'd rate it as a pretty typical Talladega race. Lots of jockeying at the start, a yawner in the middle, "The Big One" around the 2/3's -3/4's marker, then a slam-bang, "How'd he do that?" finish.

I got the feeling that the first third of the race was centered around the drivers figuring out the new car. After that it was merely another Talladega race.

Whata'ya wanta bet that Childress either gets another engine builder or we've seen the last of this new Chevie head in his, and DEI cars for awhile? Ducky has more knowledge in this area than do I. I'd be interested in his take on the situation. (hint!)

I'm sure when he does his "Observations" we'll hear a fair amount about those engines. I'd also have to believe that as I write this some heads are rolling at DEI/RCR. I'm hoping that we won't see these many failures next year. They obviously will be making some changes.

[Quality88]

It was only a matter of time til there was another black sunday at DEGA engine wise. Look at Hendrick a few years ago when all there engines let loose. They bounced back very well(damnit ).

[Nevadastars]

Besides the eventual winner, the only thing I didnt like about the race was the fact that most of the Chasers had trouble. I really hated to see Truex blow his engine. I am no HMS fan and would like to see someone at least give them a fight for this championship. But after today, it looks like everyone is rolling over and playing dead.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Besides the eventual winner, the only thing I didnt like about the race was the fact that most of the Chasers had trouble. I really hated to see Truex blow his engine. I am no HMS fan and would like to see someone at least give them a fight for this championship. But after today, it looks like everyone is rolling over and playing dead.

If they didn't roll over and play dead, NA$CAR would just help HMS out anyway.

[obrien]

Most of the race was pretty boring, but the end of the race was pretty damn good.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by obrien

Most of the race was pretty boring, but the end of the race was pretty damn good.

Apparently not to Tony Stewart fans? <VBG>

[kcoruol]

Apparently after the race, Tony Stewart was taken by ambulance to one of those places where they play soft musac and finger paint in the afternoon to relieve stress along with a healthy regimen of relaxers.

The HMS Juggarnaut rolls on to victory.

Disappointed Jimmie didn't win though, but at least Tony came in a respectable 8th place. Obviously they had this strategy planned out well in advance. I guess the HMS crew chiefs had to do something during their suspension.

Poor Tony first he tries to cut off J.J. (ha ha), then he tries to go back up to the top and cut off Ryan Newman, then he's practically sent to the back of the line. I almost felt sorry for the guy he was so desparate to draft behind somebody, anybody, but nobody would let him.

Had he not tried to cut off J.J. I think he actually would have had a shot at winning.

I was disappointed Martin Truex Jr's engine blew. The guy's a great racer but always gets the short end of the stick somehow.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Personally I'd rate it as a pretty typical Talladega race. Lots of jockeying at the start, a yawner in the middle, "The Big One" around the 2/3's -3/4's marker, then a slam-bang, "How'd he do that?" finish.

I got the feeling that the first third of the race was centered around the drivers figuring out the new car. After that it was merely another Talladega race.

Whata'ya wanta bet that Childress either gets another engine builder or we've seen the last of this new Chevie head in his, and DEI cars for awhile? Ducky has more knowledge in this area than do I. I'd be interested in his take on the situation. (hint!)

word from Steve Hmiel is that all DIE and RCR cars will have same engine package next week at Charlotte. they're committed to R07, just working out the bugs .. not a good time, but that's the cards they've delt themselves... more in "Observations" (later today/tonight.)

[kcoruol]

Obviously that engine could not stand up to the speeds and rpm's required of Talladega but it could possibly do quite well at a slower track. As long as they don't mind throwing the engine away after the race. I'm very curious to see how Jr does once he's moved to HMS.

[PenelopePitStop]

Man, you guys are tough! It's not all about Tony ... not all about DEI/RCR engines. I agree with some that it was a boring race. The beginning was great, but the "follow the leader" dance got pretty old pretty quick. Even Jr. commented on that.

Gordon pulled it off. Was I happy? No. However, I'd prefer him over Busch or Johnson. I've always said Gordon was a "stalker" ... he lurks, then strikes at the end. He's like a Great White Shark. That was proven Sunday.

Let's talk about Villeneuve. Smart move to go to the back. Surprised me. Don't know him at all, but I respect the fact that he and his team made that decision. Perhaps it was because of the comments/concerns of the other drivers, but still a smart move. Didn't see him very "racy", but at least he didn't take anyone out as some predicted.

If you look at the wrecks, nobody took anyone else out for position. Blown tire here and there, just losing it for no apparent reason. The "big one" had nothing to do with driver error or overly aggressive driving. That's pretty rare at any track!

The biggest issue I had with the comments during the race was the lack of visibility in the COT. Everyone from drivers to commentators stated that the visibility is limited in the COT. Can't see the hand signals of the driver in front of you, and can't see "through" the car in front of you. What's up with that? Hello? If I was designing a stock car, that would be one of my considerations. Am I missing something? Safety is imperative, and visibility is an element of safety!