NASCAR SPRINT CUP AND NATIONWIDE SERIES NEWS, VIEWS AND COMMENTARY

The race at Talladega Superspeedway is typically the type of race that fans look forward to watching. The 188 laps run are predictably nerve wracking. You simply have no idea how the race will finish, it is just the luck of the draw, and fate determines who will win.  

Yet, Sunday’s running at Talladega was completely foreign to the racing community. NASCAR said that the drivers would be penalized for bump drafting or pushing in the corners, and that they would have to see daylight in between the cars. Supposedly the new rules were implemented for safety reasons.  

Safety is always important, but on Sunday NASCAR took it too far. The drivers are the best in their field; otherwise they would not be running in the Sprint Cup Series. Every weekend they are fully aware of the dangers that could occur. They are willing to take the risks because they are getting to do what they love for a living, and get to put on a good show for the fans. 

 It was disturbing to watch the race at Talladega be ruined because NASCAR put the fear of being penalized into the drivers’ minds.  

By the 30^th lap it was obvious to race fans that the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega was quickly becoming mind-numbingly boring. The race at Talladega Superspeedway is supposed to be drivers beating and banging with one another, causing fans to hold their breath when drivers start to spin.  It is NOT supposed to be a game of follow the leader.  

On lap 76, drivers were running in single-file succession yet again. The top-five running order consisted of: Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Montoya, Hamlin, and Martin. Three laps later, lap 79, fans could overhear Tony Stewart mentioning to his pit crew how bored he was. By lap 86, the running order had not changed since lap 76.  

NASCAR was reminding drivers yet again on lap 117 not to push in the corners. Obviously this is a good idea. Why should there be any excitement in this race?  If NASCAR’s new goal is to put fans into a state of unconsciousness, then they are doing their job exceeding well.  

It was single-file racing yet again with 25 laps remaining in the race. Race fans do not pay their hard earned money to watch drivers play follow the leader over and over again. With 13 to go, Stremme went up high, McMurray was running dead center, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was on the bottom. McMurray could not block both, and Stremme took over the lead. The drivers running on the bottom line, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., began to fall back. If you are Dale Earnhardt Jr. or a Dale Jr. fan, this is the time when PUSHING would be helpful.  

NASCAR reminded the field yet again (with 7 to go) that you cannot bump draft in the corners. Yawn! 

The final top-five running order consisted of: McMurray, Kahne, Logano, Biffle, and Burton. NASCAR fans can only hope that next week’s race at Texas Motor Speedway is less restricted or NASCAR might be surprised how many fans they end up losing.

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