First action of speedweeks is behind us, as the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying took place this past weekend. I always say that the Rolex 24 is the unofficial start of the motorsports season, but NASCAR is officially back.
I will get to Kurt later on here but first i have to comment on De-Evolution of Plate Racing, AKA the Return to the Big Pack.
In Short: It sucks.
I usually give the history lesson here, Daytona and Talladega repaved, COT bumpers that line up perfectly, evolved into the push draft that allowed drivers to pass with help, and get the hell away from each other. NASCAR Nation, lead by their icon Dale Jr spoke out against this style of restrictor plate racing and longed for the days of the massive 30 car pack around the high banks of Daytona and Talladega.
NASCAR heard the cries of its fickle fanbase, and worked during the offseason thunder test to return to “the traditional style of racing at Daytona and Talladega.” My point might be, the “traditional style” of racing there might have been more like not having a plate at all, but what do I know.
So all eyes were on the World’s center of racing this past Saturday Night for the first race of the season. No points on the line. Running for a trophy. Oh and did I mention, Defending Champion, Kurt Busch.
What did we get for our troubles? A ridiculous, 75 lap demolition derby with an exciting finish. Less cars were torn up in that afternoons ARCA race. I can’t stress it enough folks. The “Return to the Pack” that the traditionalists were screaming about, lead to so much carnage, I think the teams had to call in grief councilors for their fabricators. It was a mess, and it didn’t take long. It started with a lap 9 melee, which was only a preview of things to come, when the 24 went flipping later in the second segment. Caught up in that accident was of COURSE Kurt Busch, who was already on his 2nd car of speedweeks after being taken out in practice. (more on Kurt and his backup car later)
As easy as it is to point fingers about what driver screwed up what, it doesn’t matter. Every simple mistake becomes magnified in the Pack. When Kurt and Regan Smith wrecked at Talladega last fall, they were the only ones who bore the brunt of it. When Tony touched off a melee in practice on Friday, plenty of drivers went to backup cars.
Now you might say, But Drew! That was in a non points race! They are going to be more careful in the 500! I agree. This will lead to a middle part of the race that is not so exciting, as guys will line up as to not destroy their shot at the 500 early in the event. Sounds like a fun, No passing kind of Sunday.
Another point. Before Kurt was taken out of the race he was threatinging to defend his Bud Shootout crown running as high as 4th in the closing stages. He was doing a pretty good job, as a guy would get shuffled out of line, he would fill the spot, and pick up a position. Not bad Kurt.
However, in the two car deal, if he wanted to go get somebody, all he needed was his trusty drafting partner Regan Smith to shove him around the racetrack and into the lead. Yes, he was dependent on someone else helping him. But he was NOT helpless!
So that leads to the final argument on the 2 car draft. “Well Drew, I hate the two car draft, because the guy who is pushing is just content to finish second!”
Let me ask you something. When Kyle Busch came off turn 4 last Saturday, setting up Tony Stewart for the winning move, in a destroyed race car, did YOU see someone who was content to just finish second?
The two car draft PROVIDED the exciting finish. The pack just destroyed a bunch of race cars.
Anyway on to Kurt Busch, on track for the first time in his 51 Phoenix entry. First of all, I really liked that Tag Heuer color scheme he ran this weekend. The first one was destroyed in the practice crash on Friday, and they had to go to the backup. This is where running for the smaller time team becomes an issue. Their backup was an intermediate track car, with not even a SEAT in it. The 51 team must have worked their tails off to get that thing ready to race. The bad news is the backup got destroyed too. I dont know how much this James Finch team can absorb hits like this. The good news is Kurt did a great job in his backup running as i said as high as 3rd with a real chance to win the race. This is encouraging.
I was not able to follow much of Pole Practice on Saturday. Didn’t seem like Kurt was too high on the charts, and it showed in Sundays Qualifying. Kurt’s qualifying lap was not so hot, but the draft, as much as i hate the huge pack, is the great equalizer. I expect him to have a good qualifying race on Thursday, provided he gets caught up in no one else’s shenanigans.
Still unknown is what will happen when Kurt offloads at the first downforce track of the year. I am looking forward to it and kinda worried about it at the same time. Kurt showed speed during preseason testing, so I wonder what changed in his single car package between now and then. The Fords will be tough to beat I’m afraid. A Lot of the chevys were pushing water even during the qualifying runs. The Fords did not seem to have that problem. But we will see. I also believe he is entered in the nwide race in the 51. Perhaps between him and his semi-teammate brother they can do something about Tony’s ridiculous domination over that event. Looking forward to the duels tomorrow!
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