Stranger Things Have Happened…
Friday, September 8th, 2006 4:45pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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[thumb:358:l:s=1:l=x]Working to try and get back into the swing of things (mainly from almost a week break, and then attention needing to be focused in other areas of the Thunder Lounge), we find ourselves on the front porch of Richmond International Raceway for what has been a weekend in the making since the cars shut-off at Homestead last November. In some cases, it’s even been a longer time in coming. An entire year for some.
As proven over the past two seasons, there is drama that naturally accompanies the final race before the Chase. While other years have by some standards had more drama, this year does not find itself lacking in that department. Mathematically, you have 9 drivers fighting for 8 slots. Realistically, it stands to be better put as 7 drivers for 6 spots. To get positions 3 or 4 out of it would take quite a feat.
There has been much debate as Kasey Kahne stands a good chance of not making the deal. He has visited Victory Lane more times than any other driver, yet he finds himself looking from the outside, hoping for a late loan approval from the Luck Bank.
The argument and cries are that he who has the most wins, that isn’t in the Chase, should get a wildcard. That, or some variation of it. Time to raise the flag.
This sport has always been about winning, yes, but when you’re not winning you had better be consistent enough to keep up. If not, see ya later. For Kahne to be in the position he is in, shows a lack of consistency. Where;s he finishing if he’s not first? Not to take away from their accomplishments, but from Michigan in June through Bristol in August, old Lady Luck wasn’t too kind to Kasey. Just as the fastest car in a race may not win, the guy with the most wins just might not win or be eligible for the title in the end.
Every driver, team, and owner knows the deal when they plan to put a car on the track for the season. It’s the same for everyone, and not any mysterious equation. All they have to do is perform.
With that being said, 6 drivers in the top 10 must also be flawless. You can bet that Kahne isn’t going to sit idle and wait for someone to hand him a spot. He’s going to come out with his “guns blazing”, and the drivers most at risk to be the unlucky dog come almost midnight Saturday night will also have to remember where the gas pedal is. They can’t lay back, and be cautious. If they are, they could lose their opportunity. While they don’t need to push as hard as Kahne, they will need to be more aggressive than cautious. Keep their nose clean, and put it up front.
Tony Stewart is going to have a chore ahead of him. With a wreck in practice earlier, and moving to a back-up car, unless they got the engine out of it and will risk that it wasn’t damaged internally, he’ll have to come from the back to keep his hopes alive. He too will need to come out with the guns blazing, else he’ll never make it through the field.
The biggest thing for these guys: Don’t be the caution.
In addition, all their pit stops up to now have been practicing for this one night. A loose lug nut could wipe a title hope away.
In other news, while it was announced earlier this week that Mark Green was formally released from driving duties at Brewco Motorsports, the replacement had me picking my jaw up off the floor. I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it. Well, he’s qualified now so I’m willing to believe my eyes. I swear, I figured (as had a lot of folks) that unfortunately this guy would never see the top series of NASCAR again.
Casey Atwood sure as heck was sitting in the #27. It has been reported as initially just an interim period, but his return to Brewco is nice to see. How long it will last is any body’s guess. But, at least his career wasn’t completely killed when Ray jumped him to Cup way too early. However, both feet aren’t out of the grave yet. It’s still nice to see someone was willing to look past what happened previously, and was willing to give the kid a shot. Now, it’s in his hands as to what he does with it.
Finally, I about choked when Mike Skinner decided to dime out “Larry Mac” after his qualifying attempt for tonight’s Busch race. Apparently, at least what Skinner would like you to believe, is that ol’ Larry has a little bit of a dirty mouth. But hey, that’s ok. Maybe he was a sailor in a former life.
Filed Under: Busch Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup
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Hey, watch what you say about sailors! So we have potty mouths on occasion what’s it to ya? So what if I exclaim at the sight of Danica (off not on track , wait that’s not entirely true.) “Hey get a load of those #$^&@#$#% and the back side is built like a brick&*$@#$% as well!”
Again… you gotta problem?
Marc said this on September 8th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Nothing 3
MedGulf Cruises didn’t fix.Luke said this on September 8th, 2006 at 7:35 pm