It’s hard to be disappointed when, at the end of a race, the fastest car won. I could see that in Tony with his post-race interview. Sure he was upset that he was pinched into the wall in the closing laps. But Jimmie’s car was as good in one set of turns, and better in the others. That adds up to an eventual pass for the win in any contest. With laps lead (bonus points), and a chance at the win, it was all and all a great effort by the 20 team. It was the kind of effort that makes a team even hungrier for their first win of the season. Tony jumps seven spots in the points to sixth. As the season gets longer, it gets harder to catch the point’s leader. These top 5’s and bonus points have made it a lot easier to see the chase and championship a possibility for the Home Depot Chevy.

It’s finally here. Amongst all the fan fare to go with a mountain of criticism, the Car of Tomorrow is upon us. Although maybe not the greatest overall change in the cars, it’s got to be one of the biggest single change since the “Strictly Stock” category disappeared. It’s definitely NASCAR history in the making. I for one am happy to see it hear, if only to get over it. I’ve not had too many kind words to say about it, but I’ll sit hear and like it with the rest of you. It will be interesting to see a few of them all wrinkled up after the usual Bristol race antics. They say the splitter on the front of the car is made of a material that is all but indestructible. We’ll see first hand on Sunday.

Having almost nothing in the notebooks to look back on should make for interesting race strategies. Fuel mileage isn’t usually an issue hear, as cautions towards the end of a Bristol race are as common as commercial breaks. But crew chiefs should be scratching their heads wondering what tire wear and track position will do to his team. Dialog between the driver and crew should be interesting, as decisions on when to pit and what adjustments need to be made will take a bit more thinking. Luck could definitely show its face at the last minute and put an unlikely driver in Victory Lane.

Labels: Bristol