[Racer Duck]

WOW!!! What a race! Possibly the best of the year! Congrats to Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin for hard racing all day, sometimes against each other! Also to Ron Fellows and Robby Gordon for bringing it to the front. And lastly, to Boris Said for a terrific effort:39th to 14th in a cramped car!!! He delivered what Awesome Bill and the Wood Brothers hoped he would, and more!

Now some observations.

Canadian National Anthem: .. at Watkins Glen, NY ... USA??? what's with that? Does that mean we're gonna get the Mexican National Anthem at Texas and the Cuban National Anthem at Homestead?

Montoya the Great: fought hard, roughed up a few, and it caught up with him at the end... after he spun Johnson, overheard radio transmission from Robby's crew said: "Johnson's hoppin' mad, says if he catches JP he's gonna end his day..let him go when/if he gets to you..." the media hype was too much...

Tony & Zippy overconfident?: before the race they were the car to beat .. in their eyes, anyway. then Tony looped it in the middle of the race while leading. but Gordon repaid the gift with 2 to go. Tony & Zippy kinda quiet after the race...

The Shrub drops back & nobody notices: another case of Busch the younger being ignored by almost everyone. it only took about 40 laps to be reported that Kyle Busch spun, flat spotting his tires dropping him from 4th or 5th to 31st. (did anybody see the spin? I didn't!) but he wouldn't accept "out of sight, out of mind" and fought back to finish 7th - ESPN tried, but you can't ignore a top 10 finish!

Robby threatens crew: that first pit stop, Robby dropped over 10 spots. over the radio he told them they'd better pick it up if they wanted to keep their jobs. then he short pitted for fuel without telling them (at least the pit reporters didn't hear him...) but the next pit stop they got him 10 spots back with fuel and 2 tires. saved their jobs for one more week....

Mikey's email: I'm really enjoying Mikey's email commercials. I especially liked the "better fuel mileage" and "half-blind grandma" ones this week.

Battle of the Beers: Jr. dies and Kurt flies. Holy cow, Jr.! 10,300 RPM!!! the engines aren't capable of taking that kind of abuse!!! if it had lived it would elevated Jr. to deity class, 'cause there's no way it could have otherwise. On the other hand, Kurt saved his stuff 'till the end, making a "safety" pit stop that put him back to around 30th, but in the end he brought the #2 Dodge to 11th vs Jr.s disappointing 42nd. Jr. dropped another spot while Newman moved up one to keep tabs on Kurt.

Late "Lucky Dog": did you see how late Sorenson was given the Lucky Dog go ahead? the pace car's lights were out and less than a lap to the start and he's supposed to be able to catch the rear of the pack? come on, NASCAR. get your head out of your ____.

Leaping Restart Screwup, Batman: speaking of NASCAR and restarts .. don't know where the NASCAR folks are who tell the flagman and pace car when to restart but they might as well be in Daytona Beach 'cause they really blew it after Kyle Petty blew his engine. the clean up crew had not finished with the work, there were still trucks on the track, and at least 15 drivers were hollering that there was oil in the esses that'd never been touched. must have been somebody back there watching ESPN 'cause it was only after it was reported on TV, that they called off the restart - one turn from the start. let's start a pool on how many races in a row NASCAR can screw up a restart!

Harvick leads with a right, and Montoya counters with a right of his own...: shades of Donnie Allison & Cale Yaroborough .. thought we were going to see some good ole scuffling, but Burton got between his teammate and the contender from Venezuela before any serious damage could be done. Ganassi was happy it didn't escalate, Childress was barely containing his anger, and Sabatas tried to calm Happy and then "told" on the 29 crew for working on the car during the red flag. methinks there'll be some coolness between these two teams for a while...

Probably the most profound thing said about that incident: after his crew told Robby about the scuffle, Robby said "maybe that'll be enough to get me off (NASCAR's) 'A' list." to which his crew responded "never happen Robby, you are permanently on their 'A' list!)

And then Biffle got moved up: so, Biffle was moved ahead of Robby, even though the film footage showed he barely got beside Robby. But Robby was overheard saying "Biffle better be where he's supposed to be during this restart, 'cause I'm gonna be behind him. I'm not gonna go thru that again." didn't matter since Robby passed 2 (Biffle being one) going into Turn 1 after the restart.

Some fans will do anything for an autograph!: did ya see that. guy ran right out onto the track and tried to convince Matt to autograph his hat! wouldn't take "no" for an answer, 'till the cops came....

Where do the fines go?: glad Rusty got to the bottom of that question. I also like his idea of not giving it back to the drivers via the point fund, but, instead, to the NASCAR foundation to help some who need it more.

two final points:

COT - it's proven to be hard to drive, mostly indestructible and gives exciting racing. everything a race car should be.

quiet winner's circle celebration - not many cheering Tony in the winner's circle .. maybe they were too busy listening for what he might say...

[clutch]

t'was a very enjoyable race with a lot of action and emotion. One of the best I've seen in a while.
Interesting to see if Harvick changes his tune...

...I was talkin' about kickin' his ass......that was too funny

[RUSTYFAN2]

Rather than have Harvick & Montoya push each other around with their helmits on, I would rather have Mrs. Montoya & Mrs Harvick fight it out! That would spice things up.

[Robertdjr]

I'll have to admit this was a fun race to watch, it had a little bit of everything.
And I thought for a moment there we were gonna go back to the days of Bobby and Cale, but alas, reality hit me.
Oh well, it was a fun thought while it lasted
I imagine that's what'll probably make all the highlight reels across the country tomorrow like Bobby and Cale did.

[OrionBen]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Canadian National Anthem: .. at Watkins Glen, NY ... USA??? what's with that? Does that mean we're gonna get the Mexican National Anthem at Texas and the Cuban National Anthem at Homestead?

I would not be surprise if 25% of the attendance was Canadians fans.
They also sing Canadian Anthem in Loudon and in Michigan

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Mikey's email: I'm really enjoying Mikey's email commercials. I especially liked the "better fuel mileage" and "half-blind grandma" ones this week.

Lucky, I watch on Canadian TV and stuck to all advertisement totally non NASCAR-related. At least ABC races are around the Corner, I will also be able to watch in Hi-Def

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Late "Lucky Dog": did you see how late Sorenson was given the Lucky Dog go ahead? the pace car's lights were out and less than a lap to the start and he's supposed to be able to catch the rear of the pack? come on, NASCAR. get your head out of your ____.

Also isn't they stop giving the Lucky Dog with less than 10 laps?

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Harvick leads with a right, and Montoya counters with a right of his own...:

Emotions from drivers: 25,000$ and 25 points each

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Where do the fines go?: glad Rusty got to the bottom of that question. I also like his idea of not giving it back to the drivers via the point fund, but, instead, to the NASCAR foundation to help some who need it more.

I heard this one from many media for the last two weeks, but nobody can find the answer,.... TO BE CONTINUED....

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

COT - it's proven to be hard to drive, mostly indestructible and gives exciting racing. everything a race car should be.

Bring on more COT Road Race

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

quiet winner's circle celebration - not many cheering Tony in the winner's circle .. maybe they were too busy listening for what he might say...

Thanks to ESPN for no fence climbing and burn.
I don't remember a NASCAR post-race show that long (maybe 5 minutes at most)

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by OrionBen

I would not be surprise if 25% of the attendance was Canadians fans. They also sing Canadian Anthem in Loudon and in Michigan

seems something is amiss. the playing of the anthem is to respect the country hosting the event. sometimes, as in the case of individual or team sports, the visiting competitor/team's anthem will also be played out of respect to that competitor/team.

using this criteria, every Cup race and every Busch race this year should have had the Venezuelan anthem played, and for most of the Busch races, the Cuban anthem should have been played as well as the Australian anthem.

now, isn't this starting to sound a bit ridiculous?

I have nothing against the Canadian people, competitors, nor their anthem. it's inappropriate to play a country's anthem because there's fans from that country at the event. when two canadian hockey teams are playing in canada, do they play the US anthem because there are US citizens in attendance?

Originally Posted by OrionBen

Also isn't they stop giving the Lucky Dog with less than 10 laps?

in this case there were 15-20 laps left.

Originally Posted by OrionBen

I heard this one from many media for the last two weeks, but nobody can find the answer,.... TO BE CONTINUED....

it has always been the case that the fines go into the points fund. the question raised was "has it changed?". Rusty Wallace said he asked NASCAR this past week and they said it had not changed. then he suggested they consider putting it into the NASCAR Charities fund. he said they said they'd consider it.

Originally Posted by OrionBen

Bring on more COT Road Race

only 15 more races to go and they'll all be COT.

Originally Posted by OrionBen

I don't remember a NASCAR post-race show that long (maybe 5 minutes at most)

and half of the 5 mins was waiting for Tony to get out of the car!!!

[OrionBen]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I have nothing against the Canadian people, competitors, nor their anthem. it's inappropriate to play a country's anthem because there's fans from that country at the event. when two canadian hockey teams are playing in canada, do they play the US anthem because there are US citizens in attendance?

You are right there, but the same reason why do we play the American Anthem when Nascar is in Montreal or Mexico, they are not hosting the event. But you are right Loudon, Watkins Glen, and Detroit are in the U.S.

The playing of National Anthem is a debate that come up in the news as to see if it still has his place at sporting event. It was instituted during war time (I think the second world war to support to the troop)

in this case there were 15-20 laps left.

I am pretty sure it was 8 laps to go. but it's possible the yellow came with more than 10 to go and they realised at the moment to give the green that Sorenson should had have the Lucky Dog

the points fund. the question raised was "has it changed?". Rusty Wallace said he asked NASCAR this past week and they said it had not changed.

But the question unanswered is how the point fund is distributed after that.

only 15 more races to go and they'll all be COT.

But still only 2 road race.
But I am waiting for Talladegga to see how the COT will handle on Restrictor plate racing, beforing passing final judgement

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by OrionBen

You are right there, but the same reason why do we play the American Anthem when Nascar is in Montreal or Mexico, they are not hosting the event. But you are right Loudon, Watkins Glen, and Detroit are in the U.S.

playing the US anthem is Montreal and Mexico is because the event is NASCAR (who likes to think of themselves as being equal to the Olympics!)

Originally Posted by OrionBen

I am pretty sure it was 8 laps to go. but it's possible the yellow came with more than 10 to go and they realised at the moment to give the green that Sorenson should had have the Lucky Dog

you may be right .. my notes don't say and I don't remember...

Originally Posted by OrionBen

But the question unanswered is how the point fund is distributed after that.

there's a formula that decides what percentage of the point fund goes to each place down to 20th or 30th, I've forgotten how far down they pay. the checks are presented at the awards banquet in New York along with all the other awards given (it's worse than the Oscars!!!)

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Canadian National Anthem: .. at Watkins Glen, NY ... USA??? what's with that? Does that mean we're gonna get the Mexican National Anthem at Texas and the Cuban National Anthem at Homestead?

RD, my understanding is that the anthem of another country at an event which may be attended by a substantial number of people from that country may be played strictly as a courtesy to the visiting fans/participants. The host country's anthem is supposed to be played last, but this gets screwed up a lot. Living only 2 hours from the border, nearly all major events include both anthems, especially hockey, which is big around here. Our local tracks have many Canadien drivers and fans each week, and we show our gratitude and respect for them by playing their anthem as well as ours. There aren't any rules as far as I know. It's a call made by each individual track or venue, at least that's what I've been told. There are lots of Canadien fans at the Glen.

[OrionBen]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

The host country's anthem is supposed to be played last, but this gets screwed up a lot.

I don't know about the US, but what should be the Canadian rule:

National Anthem: O Canada
Playing of anthems at events
There is no specific rule as to when it is appropriate to sing the national anthem at an event. It is up to the organizers to determine if "O Canada" will be sung at the beginning or at the end of a ceremony. If two anthems are to be played at the beginning of an event, "O Canada" should be played first followed by the other one. When anthems are played at the end of an event, "O Canada" should be played last.

So O Canada SHOULD be play first at any sporting event in Canada, but I am yet to see that

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

RD, my understanding is that the anthem of another country at an event which may be attended by a substantial number of people from that country may be played strictly as a courtesy to the visiting fans/participants. The host country's anthem is supposed to be played last, but this gets screwed up a lot. Living only 2 hours from the border, nearly all major events include both anthems, especially hockey, which is big around here. Our local tracks have many Canadien drivers and fans each week, and we show our gratitude and respect for them by playing their anthem as well as ours. There aren't any rules as far as I know. It's a call made by each individual track or venue, at least that's what I've been told. There are lots of Canadien fans at the Glen.

I understand the courtesy, but still think playing the fan's country's anthem is wrong.

I stand by my statement: Venezuelan anthem at all Cup races with JP competing, Australian anthem in every series Ambrose competes in and the Cuban anthem when Almirola competes. It's only fair, why should the Canadian competitors be the only ones extended this courtesy. we've also had Mexican and Japanese competitors in Cup, Busch and CTS races; except in their native countries, I don't think their anthems have been played either.

anthem etiquette requires the country's flag to be presented at the time of playing. is that done also?

we're not talking about a backyard gathering or a local track event, this is an event televised around the world and NA$CAR has made no secret of their desire to expand internationally! as such, the rules of etiquette and protocol do apply .. something sadly missing in America today. this may not be a big deal to you or many other US NA$CAR fans, but in many places in the world it's a slap in the face! and if it's gonna be done, at least don't televise it!

the only acceptable way I see to fix this is to play the hosting country's anthem before the race, use the podium as F1 and other international series do playing the anthem of those on the podium afterwards .. but then all that NA$CAR winner's circle hoopla would have to suffer - $ponsor$ will surely be against that!

[I Flip For Carl]

In regards to the Canada anthem being played ...I have always heard that it was due to the fact that Watkins Glen is so close to the Canadian border .

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by I Flip For Carl

In regards to the Canada anthem being played ...I have always heard that it was due to the fact that Watkins Glen is so close to the Canadian border .

ok, since Loudon, NH is approximately the same driving distance from the Canadian border as Watkins Glen, can anybody tell me if the Canadian anthem is played before the races at Loudon? I've never seen it televised, but then I haven't seen every race at New Hampshire International Speedway, either.

I appreciate the good will, cooperative commerce and friendly relations between Canada and the US, but there is an official border between the two and they are both sovereign countrys not responsible to the other.

my point is and continues to be, the anthem should not be played for the fans from another country no matter the proximity, but for the competitors. however, to exclude one group of competitors for this honor because they come from a different country is wrong also.

[OrionBen]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

can anybody tell me if the Canadian anthem is played before the races at Loudon?

As I already mentionned Canadian National anthem is played at Watkins Glen, Michigan and Loudon.


Also most of the time the Canadian National Anthem is played during US TV ads that is why you don't see it. Have you noticed that the National anthem was played before the prayer and the US anthem after the Prayer.

For Major League Baseball, the Canadian Anthem is always play. You watch on Sportsnet in Canada and you see it, but FOX is in advertisement at that moment.

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

anthem etiquette requires the country's flag to be presented at the time of playing. is that done also?

In Loudon yes, for the other I would presume so.

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I stand by my statement: Venezuelan anthem at all Cup races with JP competing...

Of course playing the anthem for every driver you be getting rediculous. I know ChampCar and F1 has the flag of every drivers country present at the anthem but the played the host country anthem (and also the US one in ChampCar case)

But where I disagree with you, is that the Anthem is not play for the driver, but for the fans in attendance, and normally not shown on TV. But I still don't know what made ESPN broadcast them.

[tkj24]

Guys, Guys It's OK if they want to play the Canadian National Anthem. We don't want to get down on this subject and get the Canadians mad at us. We don't have very many friends left in this old world after GW took over the US.

Just Kidding but we do have plenty of enemies in this world.