All Jacked Up
Daytona aftermath
Posted by: Jason Randall
Monday, February 16, 2009 2:40 PM
Listen to Jason Randall's appearance on Monday's DWS Sports Night here.
Well, the Daytona 500 has come and gone and while Matt Kenseth claimed the ultimate prize, albeit a rain-shortened victory, the question I've been asked most over the last 24 hours is who's to blame for the crash that was set off by Dale Earnhardt Jr. turning Brian Vickers.
My take is this: that's racing.
I really just think it was a racing deal and I really have a tough time placing blame on something like that when cars are about three inches apart at 190 mph. There's no question Earnhardt Jr. triggered the crash, but he was blocked down below the yellow line and I imagine that gets pretty dicey when trying to correct it. Why was Vickers trying to block so aggressively at that point in the race anyway? They weren't racing for the win, Junior wasn't even on the lead lap.
Now, before I get accused of being a Dale Earnhardt. Jr. apologist, let's look at the facts. It's certainly not the first time Vickers has been overly aggressive on a superspeedway. Remember when he wrecked Junior and Jimmie Johnson a few years ago at Talladega to get his first win?
I spoke with some Junior fans on Sunday and while they weren't too happy that Junior's day was all but over after the crash, they were pretty happy that Driver 88 stood up for himself for once.
Look, Dale Jr. has had a number of situations through the years where he's been the victim of someone else doing the exact same thing he did. Kyle Busch spun him out of a win at Richmond last year. It has happened time and time again and for the first time, we saw a flash of Intimidator come through.
I'm not suggesting Junior did it on purpose, but he didn't exactly back off, although I'm not sure he could have with such a tight pack at the time.
It looks like guys are going to have to learn that the days of bumping and moving Earnhardt Jr. out of the way are over. It might just come at a cost.
It was a shame that so many good cars were taken out during the wreck, but that's what happens at Daytona. Kyle Busch clearly had the strongest car.
But as far as placing blame on Earnhardt, I just can't do it. Vickers didn't have to do what he did in terms of forcing the 88 below the yellow line. I don't think there'd be this much uproar if someone like Tony Stewart was in Junior's position. Folks would just be saying things like, "That's what happens when you do that in front of Smoke!"
Well, guess what, it's a new season and it looks like a new Junior.
Comments
rubbin's racin' and it's about time junior stood up for himself.
the 88 will still be popular. if certain fans don't like a more intimidating junior, then they can go root for kyle petty.
Posted by hehndogg on February 16, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I can understand all your points Mr. Randall but I don't agree with all of them. I like Jr and have for a long time but look back at his day leading up to the crash. I think a lot of frustration came out at that very moment and Vickers got the brunt of it all. You could hear Jr's frustration come out when he was being interviewed. I think he meant to take Vickers out and not all the other cars. With a 500 mile race, drivers get tired and tempers get short.
But I do believe that racin' is racin' no doubt about it.
Posted by Flex on February 16, 2009 at 3:03 PM
This is all I know. If Derrike Cope was driving, none of this carnage would have happened.
Posted by gocubs6 on February 16, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Junior was just mad he missed his pit.
Posted by chicken on February 17, 2009 at 9:41 AM
