[Racer Duck]

Rather than see Kyle Busch compete for a title, we get to see him punted by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and then wrecked by a sliding Bobby Labonte. Rather than watch Hamlin vie for a championship, we get to see him tangle with Kyle Petty and spin out when Jamie McMurray and Paul Menard force it three-wide. Rather than watch Matt Kenseth make a run at a second crown, we see his No. 17 Ford torn to pieces in multi-car wrecks two weeks in a row. Oh, what fun.

quoted from Caraviello's column at NASCAR.COM

he makes a very valid point that this year's Chase is more a battle of attrition than driving skill. I have to agree...

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

he makes a very valid point that this year's Chase is more a battle of attrition than driving skill. I have to agree...

Yes, I have to agree, too, RD. But, I do think there were some actual skills being used at the end of last week's race. Stewart was doing ok until he got freight trained. I think Gordon made some great moves at the end. Blaney did ok. They all have their moments in the sun, but for the most part, he who is left standing, or sitting, as the case may be, will be the victor. Stinks, but it is what it is.

[wingkey1]

Was refreshing to see that the writer was not doing another - "and here is why the Chase is bad" - puke. It was simply a - this Chase has had more than previous Chase's share of wreck influenced outcomes.

He could well have gone off on how the chasers, racing with non-chasers are getting taken out of a championship opportunity. But then that happened pre-Chase too.

Seem to recall (and right now we are struggling with the "correctness" relative to the driver involved) Davey Allison getting wrecked during the last race of the season by a driver "out of it" thereby killing what at the time would have been a championship. May have been the season Kulwicki won it. Will have to check/verify. Know it was in that timeframe and believe the last race at the time was Atlanta.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Seem to recall (and right now we are struggling with the "correctness" relative to the driver involved) Davey Allison getting wrecked during the last race of the season by a driver "out of it" thereby killing what at the time would have been a championship. May have been the season Kulwicki won it. Will have to check/verify. Know it was in that timeframe and believe the last race at the time was Atlanta.

That would be the Hooters 500 at Atlanta Raceway in 1992. Davey entered the race needing only to finish fifth or better to win the Cup. On the first lap he got tangled up with Rick Mast, which did minor damage to Davey's car, but he kept on racing to get back into the top ten, where he stayed most of the day. Later in the race, Davey finally made it into the top five and was in position to win the championship. But on lap 286, Ernie Irvan lost control of his car on the frontstretch and Davey couldn't avoid Irvan's spinning car and plowed into him, which totalled Davey's car. His championship drive was over. Bill Elliot won the race and Alan Kulwicki came in second, but Alan won the Cup by gaining more points than Bill. Davey later came out of the medical center and was absolutely gracious in his concession of losing the Cup and refused to blame or criticize Irvan.

[wingkey1]

Wow, thanks 3FAN. Looks like one brain cell here is still firin'

[NASCAR Gnome]

No matter what you do, someone will complain about something! You learn really really early in life that you can't make everyone happy! The fact that someone somewhere is complaining about the minutest aspect of the chase comes as no big surprise to me. The sad fact is there are 43 competitors and every week, GUARANTEED, 42 of them will go home angry!

Me? I enjoy the racing for what it's worth. I follow the drivers I like whether they are in a "chase" or not - I mean really now, how does this chase affect me directly again? With the exception of bragging rights, my driver winning the chase puts no food on my table or gas in my car so to me, it's an event I follow because it amuses me.

For those who complain about every little thing - it's your prerogative and the wonderful freedoms we have here in this country allow this so it's all good with me - but I won't let you rain on my parade just because life aint perfect!!!

[LSC9901]

Exactly !!! Not one team/driver has ever put anything positive in my possession. I also cheer for the sport of racing versus any one individual team or driver. I do get a bit vocal over issues that bother me but I do it with the understanding that not matter how loud I speak or how much I type ... it amounts to very little other than some satisfaction for me.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

That would be the Hooters 500 at Atlanta Raceway in 1992. Davey entered the race needing only to finish fifth or better to win the Cup. On the first lap he got tangled up with Rick Mast, which did minor damage to Davey's car, but he kept on racing to get back into the top ten, where he stayed most of the day. Later in the race, Davey finally made it into the top five and was in position to win the championship. But on lap 286, Ernie Irvan lost control of his car on the frontstretch and Davey couldn't avoid Irvan's spinning car and plowed into him, which totalled Davey's car. His championship drive was over. Bill Elliot won the race and Alan Kulwicki came in second, but Alan won the Cup by gaining more points than Bill. Davey later came out of the medical center and was absolutely gracious in his concession of losing the Cup and refused to blame or criticize Irvan.

That's right! And that's racing at its best!

I have to wonder where the not-so-lucky Chasers would be in points if not for the events over the past couple of weeks.