All Jacked Up
Las Vegas aftermath
Posted by: Jason Randall
Monday, March 2, 2009 1:12 PM
Listen to Jason Randall's latest guest appearance on DWS Sports Night here.
Forgive me for a moment while I brag about my pick to win Sunday's Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Yep, I picked Kyle Busch to win in Sunday's News-Gazette. After a 12-win season last year, I am now 1-2 in 2009.
OK, OK, so the pick of Busch isn't that crazy, despite the No. 18 Camry starting in the back of the field because of an engine change. Here's why:
First, the engine change came before qualifying. Then Busch qualified on the pole. He then went on to have very fast practice runs and the way he performed at Daytona and Fontana, I just felt like it was his time to find his way to Victory Lane this season. At his home track, no less.
So, I guess the real story here is the fact that a guy not known for his patience was able to work his way through the field and stay out of trouble long enough to get out front when it mattered most. All you can do is tip the cap to that M&Ms team.
The other story was the engine troubles had by many teams over the weekend, particularly the Roush Fenway cars. Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and David Ragan all had issues with the power plant and it cost them dearly.
That's going to be something to keep an eye on. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a high-RPM track ... and it's one of many. Atlanta is coming up and that place is one of the fastest circuits on the schedule. We'll see if the Roush cars can bounce back. Edwards has been outstanding at Atlanta, so you know the 99 team will be working hard to make sure another opportunity for a win or top-five finish won't be wasted because of a blown engine.
But Busch's story is a bit interesting to me. I never have understood the rule about going to the back of the field if your engine change comes before qualifying. I completely understand it if you have to change motors after setting the grid, but before making a qualifying run is a bit odd to me.
So what if you want to use an engine in the first practice before qualifying and then change before your timed laps? I'm not sure what kind of advantage that would give a team. Maybe it's to help reward lower-budget teams who bring less to the track and make it work on one motor. I don't know. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Regardless, it didn't seem to matter to Busch. He did what he had to do, got great pit stops and picked up the first of what I believe will be many wins this season. He's young, he's daring and now it appears as if his maturity is starting to show through. That's a dangerous combination and one that could lead to his first Sprint Cup championship.
Love him or hate him (or be indifferent like me), you have to admit Kyle Busch is an amazing talent.
Comments
I read in the paper that you picked Busch and knew he was going to have to start from the back. It was interesting and fun to watch him work up through it all. Way too many cautions however for the day.
Don't forget that he had a pretty good day the day before in the race...came up short but was doing well.
It was a surprise to see the Roush cars have trouble. Edwards lost his late int he race and I thought we were going to have to sit through another caution flag before the end.
I found it interesting that Stewart and Newman had similar problems with wheel vibration as well.
Anyway onto Atlanta!!
Posted by Flex on March 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
I think if Earnhardt Jr. was exactly like Kyle Busch he would be even more popular (if that is possible). The double standard in Nascar is ridiculous. Maybe it is just because he looks like a rat. Dale Sr. drove just like Kyle Busch did and he was the most popular driver of all time. Why do you think there is such a difference? Maybe you can address that in a later blog Mr. Randall? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Posted by weedner on March 3, 2009 at 7:28 AM
