Excuse me? The Green-White-Checkered thought this was supposed to be the week when NASCAR got crazy and the races became delightfully interesting. We saw television reporters asleep at Bristol. We saw fans sitting on their hands most of the race. We were outside for the end of the race and heard no noise indicating the race was over when it was. Could be nobody cared about Kyle Busch winning – again – but there could’ve at least been some boos? We want madness! (That's a link to a post where Matt Humphrey promised us madness) The Green-White-Checkered discusses:
Image may be NSFW.
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Yellow Flag: We shouldn’t actually be surprised by this. Jeff Burton told us on Friday that the newly configured Bristol was good for people who “like racing” but not necessarily good for people who “like wrecks.” It’s not that wrecks are necessary for an exciting race, but that track used to make tempers flare with how hard it was to pass and how easy it was to get in someone’s way. Now that passing is easier, it doesn’t get drivers as riled up anymore. No helmets were thrown, no accusations of intentional wrecking flew, only two drivers led more than 10 laps. Nothing really… happened.
Green Flag: Kyle Busch’s crew chief and team owner both rushed to the 23-year-old’s defense when asked about his abrasiveness on the radio. While his temper became a hot topic of conversation this weekend, that’s always been Busch’s way. It’s always been easy to hear Busch’s emotions over the radio. His team knows that and that’s why Steve Addington came to his defense. Addington knows part of what makes Busch great is his passion and how badly he wants to win. If someone wants it that much, emotions are bound to get involved. And they should.
White Flag: Marcos Ambrose’s team made a serious recovery this week after last week’s infamy when gas man Jimmy Watts ran across pit road into the grass to collect a tire. By all accounts, Watts is a nice guy, so we’re not going to pile on here, but the JTG Daugherty No. 47 finished a phenomenal 10th yesterday. To do that at Bristol is truly an accomplishment for the Aussie.
Checkered Flag: A few reporters and I caravaned the three-hour drive over the mountains between North Carolina and Tennessee last night. We stopped for dinner at a Wendy’s in Boone, just off the campus of Appalachian State, and while sitting around the table eating Frosties and other healthy delights, someone asked a good question. “Has anyone seen Carl Edwards?”
Not in general – on the racetrack. He’s been physically there, but seriously: Where has Edwards been? It’s now late enough in the season that we can get concerned. He was the favorite to win the championship in the preseason and Jimmie Johnson was considered another favorite. Well, Johnson improves every week. He even did well at the track he dreads, finishing third yesterday. And Edwards? He’s had a couple, quiet solid finishes and some in the teens. Eighteenth in Daytona, 17th in Vegas and 15th in Bristol. So it’s not like he’s been terrible. Just difficult to notice.
