[Racer Duck]

“Gunfight at the OK Corral” - that's how DW characterized this race. I'd say it was more the dominant cars were at the front at the end – as it should be. However, I have to give DW credit: he did pick the winner.

But after scanning my notes it seems I found a great number of quotes to be the most interesting part of the race. Still there were some things other than quotes that caught my attention.

However, first let me get this off my chest. As many of you know, I'm a huge motorsports fan. I like racing of all kinds. Probably because of that, it seems fitting that I'm also the Motorsports Forum Mod here at GoTeamsGo. As such, I try to keep up with the other forms of racing, some televised but most hardly ever see the front side of a TV camera. With that in mind, I'd like to know who the genius was who decided to televise the F1 and Superbike races directly opposite the NASCAR race? Most of you say, “who cares?” and it's fair that you don't have an interest in F1 or Superbikes, but I'd say they have as large an audience as NASCAR .. maybe not in the US, but then NASCAR trails F1 in the rest of the world and I'm sure Superbike is right in there fighting for 2nd.

So, when I find the F1 race starting while the “3 stooges” are doing their pre-race act, I switched .. OK, I missed the Invocation, National Anthem and 5 parade laps prior to the green flag. (I wonder how many of us “dual fans” spent the afternoon switching back and forth.) The F1 race from Bahrain ran in half the time, was at least as interesting as the Cup race, especially when the points leader almost caused a massive pile up on the start, had problems all day and as a result a very poor finish and fell completely out of the top 10. Plus we saw the Crown Prince present the trophies and a civilized press conference with the top 3 afterwards . It was followed by the FIM World Championship Superbike race from Jerez, Spain, on the same ESPN station. And it had a finish that had all the drama and excitement of any NASCAR race (how about the leader taking out himself and the 2nd place bike on the last corner of the last lap!) And I caught all these bits of action by switching during the lengthy commercial breaks during the Cup race and other than one green flag pit stop, don't think I missed much of the action at Texas.

Back to the scheduling. I know the F1 race and the Superbike race were run much earlier in the day because of the time difference between the US and Spain and Bahrain. That means we didn't see either of those races live, which means they could have had a better time slot for the delayed broadcast other than directly opposite NASCAR Cup racing.


Now, back to our regularly scheduled musings...

What Happened to Jeff Gordon? Boy did he have a bad day! Only the 2nd time in his career he's finished last!!! (The other time was at Texas in '99!) Maybe they need to do what JJ & Chad did, go spend some overtime on testing. It seemed to work for them.

Yates Sponsorship – did ya notice (don't know how you could have missed it, but ...) both Yates cars were painted white had a single sponsor thing on their car? Yeah, it was for a website called “SponsorYates.com.” Not sure what SponsorYates does, but I hope they have deep pockets 'cause these guys need lots of financial help to be able to finish out the season.

Did ya notice Sam give Rooty a retaliatory bump? Guess he was letting him know “I ain't a rookie and don't try to treat me like one!” Dale Sr. would have been proud of the deftness and grace with which Sam pulled it off!

Broadcaster Bias was never more obvious than during this race. When Kenseth took over the lead, all they could talk about was JJ. When Shrub passed Jr for the lead, the subject of the conversation was Jr. Usually, we're totally confused because the camera is on one car and they're taking about a different car. But this time they were completely in sync. And you could hear the disappointment in their voices when it became apparent that JJ was not going to catch Carl at the end of the race. But disappointment was replaced with glee for a few moments leading up to the Green-White-Checker until they saw JJ on the apron which usually means very low fuel. Gasp! He could run out before taking the checkered flag!!! I long for the days when the broadcasters simply and without bias report the action. But then, how could they justify their huge salaries?

Broadcaster gaff: as the camera from the blimp shows a great shot of the infield from almost directly over head, one of the super bright broadcasters says “Look at that packed grandstand!” Problem was there never was a shot of the grandstand, or even a portion of it, in that segment!

Cudos to Gossage and crew for having another sellout! I keep hearing how much everyone likes Texas. Not just the track, but the facilities, the staff and the atmosphere. They're making Cup racing an enjoyable event for everyone.

Commercial Quotes:

• “Enjoy the track longer...” - Coke Zero
• “It's over when I say it's over!” - Mr. Box, aka Jack
• “Sip stealing - Not a crime in all 50 states.” - Coke

Tony Stewart – I've been holding off on this, but I guess it's time to bring it up. Do you remember before the season started, everyone (almost) was of one accord that Smoke was gonna be the most productive 'Yota driver and would deliver 'Yota their first Cup win? There was also something about him being the leader of the Gibbs boys and would be riding herd on the two young hotheads. Something has happened. Don't know what it is, but something has changed: both of those hotheads have wins and always seem to be in the mix for the win in the final laps while Smoke is hanging around 10th or worse. Is it that Zippy can't get the CON setup to suit Smoke or is it that Smoke is starting to loose his zeal for running up front and winning or something else? Whatever it is, I hope it gets turned around soon. It's getting down right embarrassing having to pick both Shrub and Denny over Smoke every race!

Driver Quotes:

• “Key to success – Keeping a cool head” - actually an EX-driver .. Darrell Waltrip
• When asked “Who's your biggest competition today?”, the pole sitter, Dale Earnhardt Jr, said: “Ourselves.”
• “It's fun to see all the fans sit down when I go by the 88.” - Kyle Busch
• “Good to see a full grandstand.” - Carl Edwards after the race.
• “A handful to drive.” - Jimmie Johnson after the race commenting on the CON.
• “Might need to go back to convertibles...” - Ryan Newman on the lack of air inside the CON.
• “We had a razor blade...” - Kyle Busch on the sensitivity of adjustments they experienced during the race.

At the end

• Boyer squeezed and lost...
• McDowell has uneventful day .. finally!
• Green, White, Checkered
• Carl, JJ & Shrub on the podium - that's 3 for Carl!
• JP finishes well .. again! (I hear his car isn't as good as his finishes. Maybe this guy really can drive a "stock car"!)
• Martin in; Mayfield out .. of the Chosen. (One old guy isn't having any problems with the CON!)
• Burton from the back gets a top 10, extends his laps run total and maintains his points lead.

[Bryan88]

My observation;
The most boring race of the year so far!

[Phils20]

“It's fun to see all the fans sit down when I go by the 88.” - Kyle Busch

Now that is a great line right there. Only fans of the 88, and folks with no sense of humor, wouldn't find that to be a classic line!

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Now that is a great line right there. Only fans of the 88, and folks with no sense of humor, wouldn't find that to be a classic line!

Hey I am a die hard 88 fan and I thought that was a great line!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

My observation;
The most boring race of the year so far!

that usually goes with long green flag runs and green flag pit stops... guess you can make a case for shortening these races, huh?

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

that usually goes with long green flag runs and green flag pit stops... guess you can make a case for shortening these races, huh?

Yeah that would be nice, I guess I was just spoiled by the last couple races.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

that usually goes with long green flag runs and green flag pit stops... guess you can make a case for shortening these races, huh?

I've had mixed feeling about making the races shorter. In the past, it was all about an endurance test. I still think there is something to be said for the drivers going the longer distances. Even if that doesn't fit into the "template" that TV, or some fans, would like it to.

To me, the distance, and the mental toughness it can take to do 500 laps or miles is part of the sport. The 10-12 or more Pit stops a race are part of what truly make it more than going fast and turning left!

Just my 2 cents.

A race is like any other sporting event. Most are just average, and that is how it is.

Otherwise, we wouldn't remember the great moments!

[3fanforever]

Great job as always Racer Duck. Nothing much to add from me, since it was a sleeper of a race.

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

However, I have to give DW credit: he did pick the winner.

Actually, DW picked Junior to win during the pre-race show, but changed his pick during the race when it was apparent TEJ couldn't adjust Junior's car correctly to the changing track conditions and Junior started going backwards. Good ole' DW.

And I thought Bush's line about Junior's fans sitting down was great. Things like that make a rivalry, which is something this sport desperately needs.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

Hey I am a die hard 88 fan and I thought that was a great line!

Cool that you have a sense of hummor about it!

some are just wound too tight! And not just Jr fans, all of em!

[LSC9901]

Actually DW picked Carl when he was talking with him during the warm up laps. He admitted that he had picked Jr when they make their picks but when talking with Carl I got the impression he was just saying that to make funny with him.

[oncea3fan]

you won't hear much about shortening the races now that jr. can make it to the end.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Cool that you have a sense of hummor about it!

some are just wound too tight! And not just Jr fans, all of em!

I know exactly what you are talking about, I have met quite a few just like that. You have to have a sense of humor in your life.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Actually DW picked Carl when he was talking with him during the warm up laps. He admitted that he had picked Jr when they make their picks but when talking with Carl I got the impression he was just saying that to make funny with him.

You may be right LSC9901. I thought I heard him tell Carl he "should have picked" him during the warm up laps, but he already picked Jr, which he did in the pre-race show. I also remember saying to myself later in the race, "wait a minute there DW, I thought you picked Junior." Granted, by that time, I was half asleep in the easy chair.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

Hey I am a die hard 88 fan and I thought that was a great line!

I was a diehard 88 fan until it went to Hendrick. Now I just like to see it do well (only cause of the driver).
RD sponsoryates.com was setup by Dougie to try and get sponsorship for the cars. It basically is a letter that Dougie tries to play the legacy card to get sponsorship.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

You may be right LSC9901. I thought I heard him tell Carl he "should have picked" him during the warm up laps, but he already picked Jr, which he did in the pre-race show. I also remember saying to myself later in the race, "wait a minute there DW, I thought you picked Junior." Granted, by that time, I was half asleep in the easy chair.

O M S