Three Races in Eight Days

by: PattyKay Lilley

Yes, I probably should have written this yesterday, but instead I watched the race in Michigan. It was a good race as Michigan races have gone of late. Funny about that... I have always loved it when the gang raced at Michigan, a big, wide 2-miler with almost enough banking to make it perfect, but not quite. The only sight I like better than a 5-wide restart at Michigan is an 8-wide restart on the landing strip that poses as the front stretch at Pocono.

Lately though, the cars seem to string out much too fast and let's face it, no one came to watch a parade. It occurs to me, rather belatedly I'm afraid, that ten years ago, I didn't know the meaning of "aero push." Now, it's become a household word.

The race on Sunday wasn't like that. Nor was the race on Saturday when the Nationwide bunch invaded Montreal and ran the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course there. As a matter of fact, neither was the previous Sunday's race at Watkins Glen in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York State. (Beautiful in the summertime; to be avoided at all cost in the winter. I speak from long experience)

So what we have then are three races in eight days in which there was a lot of great racing to be seen, whether or not one approved or disapproved of the eventual victor in any given race. Ah yes, and therein lies the rub. During and after each of those races, I've closely observed the race fans and their reactions, seeking information for a "Voice For The Fans" column. Fans, I've have to tell you, you've been for the most part a colossal disappointment these past eight days.