So, I came in, turned on the television just as the NBCSN crew was informing me there were 50 laps to go. There had been "no big one" which seemed to cause grave concerns from the SN crew surely counting on that event to make the parade an interesting event to watch. By the time there were 35 laps to go I was at the point I was ready to hear the radio guys talk about the Alabama Gang Super Straight than to hear one more word about who was "in" and who was "out" of the Chase as they head into the "Eliminator Round". But, the best was yet to come!
As the race was winding down, NASCAR didn't have to manufacture a "debris caution" to allow Junior to catch back up after a long pit stop because one of the back markers blew an engine (or maybe a power steering pump). After final round pit stops, everything appeared to be perfect as Joey Logano was leading and Junior was second putting both of them on the front row for the dreaded "restart zone" face off. This was the race where NASCAR, in its infinite wisdom, determined that only ONE Green-White-Checker attempt would be made. An option with which I happened to agree, although I have asked the Pope for forgiveness for allowing me to take the side of the sanctioning body in any judgment call. But that one, I believe, they got right. Even having said that, they got it right and then they blew it. How do you make a ruling, bring it out forcefully in the drivers' meeting, and then blow your own ruling all to hell. Not hard for NASCAR apparently.
If you missed it, and I doubt any of you did, the cars were lined up, hit the dreaded restart zone and the green flag flew. Immediately a couple of cars tangled in the back of the leaders and spun into the grass, before continuing on their way. Immediately, without thinking, the yellow was thrown and the cars circulated the track until it was time to make another attempt at a green flag finish. The key word in that sentence is ANOTHER attempt. The logic NASCAR used is that although the green flag was thrown, the green light was on, and the cars started in the re-start zone as required, the leaders had not crossed the start-finish line when the two cars spun behind the leaders.
Ok, so they are once more two by two heading for the next attempt, or if you're NASCAR, the first attempt at the G-W-C finish. The green light goes on, the green flag waves and the leaders cross the line as disasters unfold behind them. This time NASCAR throws the white flag and yellow flag, indicating that the field was to be frozen at that point and that video and the scoring loops would be used to determine the finishing order and even more importantly, as to who was in and who was out of the Chase. With all the advanced technology available and all the NASCAR eyes examining those videos and scoring loops, it took over an hour for NASCAR to make the final determination. Johnny Bruner used to do better with the hand written scorecards every time Lee Petty protested a finish. So much for technology.
Now it is time for my opinionated comments sure to raise the hackles of some folks. However, these are my opinions and for those who agree, thank you, and for those who don't, well, figure it out for yourself.
First up, for NASCAR not to count the first attempt as THE FIRST attempt was totally uncalled for. The yellow was thrown when two cars were in the grass, out of harm's way and it would have made no difference to those two drivers if the race went green. It may have, almost surely would have, and made one heck of a difference to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and perhaps to Jeff Gordon. But we'll never know will we.
Ok, let's go to the second attempt. Kevin Harvick's crew knew, the NBCSN crew knew, NASCAR knew and most of the drivers knew Harvick's car allegedly could not run up to race speed. In fact, the broadcasters were saying it couldn't get over 30 mph. Yet, NASCAR left him in his position on the track, which was high enough up in the order to be a real issue when the green flag fell. As if that was not enough of a problem, Harvick managed to "accidentally" turn right and caught the quarter panel of the number 6, spinning him in the middle of the pack and causing the "big one" for which NBCSN and NASCAR had been praying for all afternoon. In as much as NASCAR determined that this time the leaders had crossed the start-finish line, they had to determine the finishing order by the video, and the scoring loops. I frankly think it was NBCSN who had the video showing Logano about a splitter's edge ahead of Junior when the yellow flew, effectively ending the race.
Now we go into the almost pathetic, well, actually very pathetic attempts by the television crew to explain all of this. The more the explanation the sillier it got. The kicker, for me, was Jeff Burton explaining that the last caution flag was thrown because there were cars involved in heavy impact and NASCAR needed to check on those drivers. Jeff kept explaining the last caution ending the race that way while totally ignoring the fact that the first attempt at the G-W-C involved two cars totally out of harm's way when the yellow was thrown. I have, or had a lot of respect for Jeff Burton, but after hearing him toe the NASCAR line of explanation, I'm not so sure I still have the same level of respect. I admit I prefer the NBC crew far and above the FOX network assemblage of idiots, but the continuing diatribe repeated per NASCAR's apparent indoctrination was too much for me.
As for whether or not Harvick caused the accident intentionally, I'm not about to get into that fight. Just watch the video and see how the number 6 was far enough beside Harvick to be seen by someone who chose to look, not to mention the spotter having the duty to tell Harvick the 6 was out there. But intentionally or not, the pure stupidity of the incident was NASCAR totally ignoring a car known to be having issues getting up to speed and making no ruling as to what should be done with that car. Sort of a dereliction of duty by race control in my opinion. Again, I'm not taking sides in that argument.
Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of Joey Logano, you will have to admit that he had come to life this season. I'm sure The Captain is very pleased with what Joey has accomplished and there is every possibility that he may end this season holding up the Cup at Homestead, although I still have issues with The Chase deciding who will be the overall Champion.
Now, did any of you see the interview with Mike Helton AFTER the NASCAR Buffoon Committee had met in the NASCAR trailer trying to figure out how they were going to best handle all the flak sure to come from the disgruntled fans. I watched the interview on NASCAR.com and was struck by the fact that Helton could not look directly at the people asking the questions as he tried to form intelligent responses to valid questions. I have often wondered what the "deer in the headlights” look is but I surely now know exactly what that look is thanks to Mr. Helton.
As has often happened at Talladega, the unpopular winner (anyone but an Earnhardt) was booed roundly and beer cans were thrown at his car. Junior fans thought he was robbed. Jeffy fans were not sure how things would have unfolded if the race had been allowed to go on the first attempt at the G-W-C. Fans who don't like Kevin Harvick have even more reason now to dislike him. Crybaby Kenseth now has Logano and Harvick to blame for not being in the Chase. While I'm sure Hamlin would like to also blame Harvick, it was actually problems with the escape hatch on the number 11 Toyota that ruined Denny's chances. Perhaps Mike Helton would like to discuss "escape hatches" with the JGR team because he sure could have used one Sunday.
Yes, I know this is another week I'm blasting NASCAR and it is becoming a common mantra for me. IF, and I repeat IF and WHEN they give me something positive then I will present that side. This is not that time. NASCAR can buy the NBC crew to spread their manure, and it is almost understandable why Junior would take the NASCAR side, but I'm one who calls it as I see it and what I'm seeing is NASCAR as the joke of the sports world. I hate that.
