NASCAR

Two Laps Down: Brad’s Bristol Back-to-Back in the Blue Deuce

Because we’re the only ones who didn’t try to sign Peyton Manning - Scotty Wazz (from the Face Off Hockey Show) and I share our views on NASCAR each week in Two Laps Down. Here is the e-mail transcript of our latest conversation:

—–Original Message—–

From: Scotty Wazz
Sent: Monday, March 19th, 2012
To: Todd – “Wilson!”
Subject: Brad’s Bristol Back-to-Back in the Blue Deuce

Talk about luck, TB,

After avoiding the first wreck of the race, Brad Keselowski took that second chance and turned it into a victory for him and the Penske team at the Bristol bullring. Leading almost half of the 500 laps, Keselowski seemed to have the Blue Deuce hooked up this weekend. Sure, Keselowski did have to battle Matt Kenseth towards the end, which was a great battle and great display on patience on both parties, Plus, it harkened back to the days when Rusty Wallace was the short-track master, running down the field at every Bristol race. And it’s the second straight Bristol race that Keselowski has won, winning the night race last August.

The biggest thing now is to wonder if this is going to kick off a run for Keselowski, as he’s a guy who last year had a string of great runs along the way to make him a contender. Do you think he actually is going to repeat what he did last year?? He’s in 13th in points now and probably has a solid chance of getting that wild-card spot again, but what kind of chance does he have at being a threat?? It’s one thing making the Chase by getting a win, but being able to run up-front week-in and week-out is another.

Outside of Keselowski, it was a big race for the Michael Waltrip Racing trio, with Martin Truex, Jr., Clint Bowyer, and newcomer Brian Vickers turning in a 3rd, 4th, and 5th place finish respectively. Heck, Vickers even came back and led over 100 laps in this Bristol tour– quite the display for a guy who didn’t have a ride coming into the year. While we did say last week this could be a try-out for for Vickers, is there a chance he could get picked up by someone else before MWR is able to get Mark Martin out of the ride?? Maybe form a fourth team?? This kid actually had a helluva run, but I’ll agree it could be too early to tell from one short-track race. Yet, he showed talent in the Red Bull Racing machines for the past few years and makes me wonder if not for the limit on cars owners could have– if he could have picked up sooner.

However, when I look at this race, it almost seems a-typical for Bristol. I mean, only five caution flags and not too much beating and banging. Have we seen a changing of the guard when it comes to these short-track races, where the drivers are more careful with their machines?? The past two spring races have had 10 yellow flags, the night races had six and seven in 2011 and 2010. It’s almost like a kinder, gentler Bristol, but still somehow has that charm and allure of the short-track feel. Are multiple wrecks and hard racing needed for this place to be special or can this new strategy era of Bristol develop into something that people will actually learn to love??

Yet, even with less cautions, Bristol still caught up some of the bigger names, as this race had sub-30th place finishes for Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Carl Edwards. While it’s something that won’t make or break them, you have to think that for at least Busch and Gordon, it’s another part of their disappointing starts. Busch is at least in striking distance of the top-ten, but Gordon is a guy who seems like he’s on his last legs of glory. Is it something where Gordon can actually bounce back from these bad happenstances or could this be the beginning of the end of this modern legend of the sport??

Time for some Gas-N-Go:

-Maybe Dodge could be dead as a dodo– as Robby Gordon couldn’t get his engine to fire for practice, couldn’t find anyone to fix it, and couldn’t get information from Dodge on how to fix it. This can’t be good for a team looking for a prime organization, can it??

-Some fans were allowed in the driver’s meeting in Las Vegas, making some drivers upset. Matt Kenseth went so far as saying the meetings are no longer for their purposes and it’s more than just drivers and crew chiefs with little questions being asked. Is this a tradition that’s going by the wayside or corporate doings going too far??

-Chad Knaus will be on the block for his suspension this week, which resulted in the car penalties to be upheld, but could reduce his personal suspension. Is it me or has this process gone on forever??

-Ryan Truex is back on the scene, driving the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing machine. His first race atBristolwas a 10th place finish, showing he’s still got the stuff to make him a great prospect. With all this young talent not making headway, is this going to be the common theme where we’re excited a youngster is back in a car??

What say you, TB– Can Keselowski become a favorite rather than underdog?? Did Vickers actually turn heads or will people still wait for another race to make an impression?? Can Jeff Gordon turn himself around?? Is this new Bristol a good thing??

~SW

—–Original Message—–

From: Todd
Sent: Monday, March 19th, 2012
To: Scotty
Subject: RE: Brad’s Bristol Back-to-Back in the Blue Deuce

Talk about a close one, Wazz,

I’m not exactly sure how Keselowski made it through that first wreck of the race – he narrowly missed both David Ragan and the devoid-of-any-luck Kasey Kahne. It was a good thing he did, though, because he had an insanely good car, and we would have been cheated out of a great battle between Brad and Matt if he would have been even a few inches lower on the track when Kahne’s car jumped back up the banking.

Back to the racing in a minute – first I’ll throw in my two cents about Keswlowski. I’ll admit it – ever since Brad started his hot streak halfway through last season, I pretty much thought it wouldn’t last. I figured, five…ten races at best. Then he made the Chase….then he actually was a contender up until the last few races. And now he’s had a fast car all four weeks of this season – bad luck hit him twice, but in the other two races he’s finished fifth and first.

So I’m pretty much thinking I was wrong on that one. At this point, having carried the momentum over the offseason, I am prepared to say that Kes is a legitimate contender now. I’m not sure why it took him so long or how it all happened so fast, but who can argue with the results and the confidence the kid has now?

That also begs the side question which I’m sure will come up several times this season – with Keselowski running so well, why dump Dodge now?

When it comes to the racing at Bristol, my opinion is kind of split. The racing Sunday was really good – lots of side-by-side, and you had to dig hard if you wanted to pass someone, especially in the bottom groove. They set out to make a true two-groove ‘drivers’ track with the repave, and it totally worked.

However…my opinion is changing a little – I really think it has lost that edge that made it such an iconic track. The one-groove racing may have made it harder to pass, but it was tougher, grittier racing that I think was actually a better test of a driver’s skill and concentration: when you had a guy filling up your rear-view mirror on the old track, you have to wonder what they were going to do – would they try to pull inside on the straight? Lay the bumper to you? Try to make a difficult pass up top? And while you were keeping an eye out behind you, the driver still had to concentrate on what they were doing – because one little mistake could lose the position or the race.

The new racing is great, and someone like Tony Stewart says it is better than ever from the drivers’ perspective, but there is something I like more about the old configuration…when the car in victory lane doesn’t have a straight fender left on it – that is real short-track racing. Agree?

One way or the other – like you said, Bristol still manages to be the ‘wild-card’ race it always has been, and in that respect it does indeed keep some of that old-school short-track charm.

Of course, one of the drivers bit by Bristol’s unpredictability was Gordon, and I think we saw his last serious championship push back in 2009. I can still see him winning races – between one and three a year for a few more seasons, and because of that we’ll still see him in the Chase…but I don’t see a serious championship run happening anymore. I could be wrong, though.

Moving on, I must say that I was impressed with Michael Waltrip Racing this weekend, and I’d argue that Brian Vickers almost upstaged Keselowski with with 100+ laps led and fifth place finish. I know it is just one race, but MWR may have made a score on this one…and heck – if you are going to judge a guy on one race, I’d rather base it on a place like Bristol rather than, say, Daytona. I’ll be very interested to see what happens over his next few races – Vickers may find himself getting more seat time than he originally anticipated.

Gas-n-Go:

- I’m adding one here: Where were all the people Sunday?!? That place looked half-empty, and I was genuinely shocked. I literally can’t remember seeing that many empty seats for a Bristol Cup race. Ever.

- Dodge kinda gave Robbie the finger there, didn’t they? It isn’t a good sign – if they can’t support the smallest of one-car teams, then how much attention are they even paying to the sport??

- Is there anything a track won’t sell? I already find it ridiculous that places are allowed to sell Hot Pit passes to fans…the drivers meetings are just too far. Next thing you know, they will sell tickets to hang out in the drivers motorhomes…and feed their dogs.

- I don’t get why it takes a week after the appeal to get the final, final appeal. No way the penalty gets thrown out, but I won’t be surprised if Knaus’ suspension gets cut in half.

- Truex in the #20 is a good sign that JGR is still making at least a little room to develop talent. It also reminds me that MWR’s Nationwide program is kind of like the Montreal Expos of NASCAR – first they cycled Bayne out, now Truex – they like to get talent in the series, then give it away. Bayne could be full-time in the #55 by now.

Back to you, Wazz – Do you think Keselowski is for real now, too? Do you like the old Bristol, or the new one? Will Gordon produce anything more than a few wins a season?

TB

—–Original Message—–

From: Scotty Wazz
Sent: Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
To: Todd – “Wilson!”
Subject: RE: Brad’s Bristol Back-to-Back in the Blue Deuce

You make a great point, TB,

With Penske dumping Dodge, at what point do you think Dodge will actually stop supporting the Penske guys?? Keselowski running well may have something to do with it, but if Dodge doesn’t have anyone by midway through the season– you can almost imagine they’re going to check out and start to just give the bare minimum to their teams. Hell, they’re doing it already with Robby Gordon, as we mentioned. That said, if Dodge were to do that, it would be a death knell for their racing careers, as NOONE will want to go to that manufacturer if they cut anchor from their teams when they need them the most.

Right now, the maturity and patience that Keselowski had gained last year from his injury, which led him on the hot streak, has transferred to this season. Especially since he’s the top dog at Penske with the years he’s been there, he has to take a leadership role in that organization. Because that new responsibility is there, he’s taking it seriously. He’s grown up a lot in the last few seasons and I think he’s finally getting past the learning curve, he’s focused solely on the Sprint Cup side of things, and he’s ready to be up there with the elite guys.

As far as the racing at Bristol, it’s definitely going to take me getting used to. The biggest thing about Bristol was the action and the wrecks and near-wrecks that came from it. With the one-groove, it’s almost automatic and you’re not thinking about what’s behind you or beside you, only what’s in front of you. More than the drivers, I think the spotters are more relieved than anything. And there’s something about that old school racing, beatin’-and-bangin’ that makes the track unique. It’s like the personality of the place is gone now and there’s nothing much left aside from the spectacle of high-bank, short-track racing. It was a place where you EARNED a victory and your car showed it at the end of it.

I’m a little so-so on the new racing, but if Smoke and others are promoting it, that’s what really matters, right?? If the drivers are happy, I think that’s all NASCAR cares about because they’re the guys making the whole thing money. Keep them happy and it should make for a great show regardless.

The thing about Gordon, he’s a guy who still has the ability to win and you can never underestimate him. The minute you forget that he’s out there– he’ll go on a solid run and maybe make a push for the wild card spot and could shock some people. Even so, his best days have to be behind and with his family coming along– you bet his focus may not be all there.

Brian Vickers could be the next guy in the #55 or whatever number MWR’s car will be. You’re right, Bristol is a great first test, but with more cookie cutter tracks than others on the circuit, if he can do well in those areas– you can bet that he’s going to assure himself in that MWR ride. Of course, more than that– MWR is showing how you can use an extra car in order to test new drivers and young guys in there to smooth over the transition. It’s pretty innovative and could catch on elsewhere.

G-n-G winding down:

-It is really disappointing how empty the place was, but at the same time, this is the second spring race where it’s been empty. Last year, 125,000 of the 160,000 possible were full. It’s a sign of the times, I believe.

-Like I said above, I can bet that Dodge will be out of there by mid-season when they can’t find anyone. They don’t seem interested and when you can’t help your grassroots side….you’re doomed.

-You mentioned the lack of attendance– they do have to sell EVERYTHING to make up for the lack of butts in the seats. Though I think it’d be a story to tell if you can feed one of Ryan Newman’s 1,400 dogs.

-At this point, Knaus has to get some cut from his suspension. It’s silly that this process is still going almost four weeks after the infraction happened. May as well let him walk since they made him wait this long.

-I would have said Florida (Miami) Marlins, but they never won a championship and disbanded after that. But it’s good to see these guys have their talent observed and get a pick-up in some way, shape, or form.

Finish it off, TB– do you think the leadership role made Keselowski become mature faster?? Does the track lose it’s identity despite the better, cleaner racing?? Can people come out more and more in the spring??

~SW

—–Original Message—–

From: TB
Sent: Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
To: SW
Subject: RE: Brad’s Bristol Back-to-Back in the Blue Deuce

You were right, Wazz,

Knaus not only got something cut from his suspension, they took the entire thing away. Not NASCAR, mind you, but NASCAR’s quasi-third-party Chief Appellate Officer John Middelebrook. He threw out the suspension, gave Jimmie back his 25 points…but left the $100,000 fine. Leaving the fine makes you think he agreed they did something wrong, but taking the entire suspension away and giving all of the points back makes you think they didn’t….strange…

I wish they had given us all the details over the weekend, because it would have been an interesting topic to talk about. Apparently Jimmie’s car was pulled and the C-pillars were cut off the car during visual inspection – not when the car was on the template. And that was the kicker – Rick Hendrick had enough paperwork to prove the car hadn’t been changed since it went under the template back in January testing, and they never put it under the template before the Daytona 500…so NASCAR basically said the car was illegal because it looked illegal to them, and even though the template was right there, they never bothered to check the car…also strange…

You’ve got to be right that Keselowski decided to step up to the challenge of being top-dog at Penske. It probably isn’t a coincidence that he started kicking ass right about the time Kurt Busch started pissing off everyone in the organization with his weekly rants. Heck – I give the kid credit, because he went through the process of going from hotshot young kid to serious driver in a LOT less time than it took guys like Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.

And I’ve been thinking about the racing at Bristol, and I am sure Tony Stewart is right: from a driver’s perspective, the two-groove racing and progressive banking is better. But here’s the thing, and this is just me – you can get that racing all over the place – Atlanta, Charlotte, Vegas, even a place like Michigan – they all have banking and two-groove racing. Bristol is supposed to be different, and that one groove and do-anything-to-pass racing is what made it different. I want to see something unique – not just a pint-sized version of what we get at all the cookie-cutters. The racing may very well be better, but the aura is lacking.

Who knows – that may be why the place doesn’t sell out anymore…I wouldn’t be surprised. I shouldn’t be too tough on them about the crowd, though – the place holds 160,000, so it can be half empty and there would still be 80k people there. Still – they should lower ticket prices, or donate a bunch of tix to veterans or charity…something to fill up the seats.

So, what did we learn this week?:

- NASCAR made a rare slip-up in it’s usually iron-fisted inspection process. If you are going to throw the book at someone for fudging the bodywork a little, you better have the concrete evidence to back it up, or Chad Knaus and company will walk free.

- The racing at Bristol may be better than ever in the driver’s opinion – but it isn’t as much fun. Give us one groove, beatin’ and bangin’, bump-and-run racing anyday – the fans will have more fun and the stands will be full.

- Brad Keselowski was handed the reigns to Penske, and he’s run with the opportunity. If Kurt Busch ever wants to know what he missed out on by being a pain to his team, he can just look at the No.2 car at the end of the year, especially if those guys make the Chase again.

- On a related note – Dodge better take a cue from Keselowski and pick up the reigns themselves, because if they can’t even muster up some help for Robby Gordon, how do they expect to get someone else on board??

- Is Jeff Gordon a little over the hill? Maybe, but don’t count him out completely – he can still win races, and that makes him a Chase threat.

- You can buy anything in NASCAR – a ticket, a pit pass, a driver’s meeting pass…who knows, maybe they’ll let you scoop poo in the driver’s dog park for an extra $15.

Next week – put on your shades and suntan lotion – the series comes out to my neck of the woods -Fontana.

TB