Post by G on Feb 18, 2008 23:06:01 GMT -5
The Great American Race, the Superbowl of Nascar usually produces excitement for 2 weeks leading up and the actual event itself. This is the one all the drivers want to win. This puts your name in the history books.
The events leading up to the 500 were kind of crazy and it made for much anticipation and excitement. Unfortunately, what usually involves stretch of cars running inches apart at nearly 200mph on this day at least for the early part a strung out bore-a-thon.
What killed it so much early was exactly the opposite of what killed the race late. Since there was no caution early on the field separated into small spread out packs which were not gaining on each other. The lead changes were plenty, but sadly only of the few cars that were in the lead pack.
When the 200 lap race had only 50 to go, the drama started mounted. I mean, this is only the biggest race you can win and drivers started showing that time was running out. However, instead of being able to race to the end, the once caution free race was now winding down the race with lap after lap of caution, followed by a few laps of racing and more cautions. The race seriously needed the last 20 laps to just go green and instead was stopping every 3 laps to pick up the pieces.
Finally with about 6 laps to go there was 1 final caution which slowed the field down one last time. Kyle Busch had been the strongest car throughout, but it was Tony Stewart in the catbird seat eying the trophy. When the race went green with 3 laps to go, the best 3 came finally and mercifully. With Kyle nearly messing up his restart, he lost momentum and left Tony Stewart to fend for himself. He admirably had taken the white flag still in 1st, but the teammates of Kurt Busch joined up with Ryan Newman and pushed Newman into the lead. A couple of turns later and he cross the flag with the biggest win of his career. The Daytona 500. The anticlimatic ending was still the best part this race had to off, but it was still disappointing. I was happy from Newman, but ultimately, this one wasnt one for the record books like they were predicting.
Grade: C Just average, nothing special.
At least the racing season has finally begun.
