Jamie McMurray Wins Thrilling Pepsi 400
Sunday July 8, 2007
Tonight's 2007 Pepsi 400 featured a side-by-side finish that is tied for the second closest finish in the history of electronic scoring. Jamie McMurray overcome a black flag for driving out of bounds and beat Kyle Busch to the finish by just .005 seconds.
Fans were treated to more of this exciting race than any other race this year due to TNT's "Wide Open" coverage. I thought that this was a major step forward in NASCAR coverage. Fewer commercial breaks means that race fans got to see more of this exciting Daytona race. Lets hope that we see more of this great "Wide Open" coverage.
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images for NASCAR
Comments
Wide Open was terrible – trying to watch a race with the commercial “boxes” that took up 25% of the screen – would have rather had regular commercials – then the racing could have been about racing, not documentaries on Good Year tires, or discourses on Miller Lite. Indy uses side-by-side so at least you’re getting the race and commercials with some production value, not the garbage they kept popping up. Awful, awful, awful.
Some of us don’t get TNT..so we can’t even watch the race,Nascar is going to have to switch to Network TV if they want to keep up with other sports..WE cannot even get radio coverage at night because the AM station’s cut the power back after dark and it’s all static..I can listen to MRN on the computer..but it still sucks not to see the race just because you live out in the country.
I think “Wide Open” was Better then not seeing the race at all .Good job Nascar ! Not to be negitive but i myself like the way IRL’s screens look, less confusion .Best race this year i think and the funny thing is im even starting to like the Busch brothers .They have matured immensely !Like it or not them two boys know how to hang it out ! Great job by Jamie also.
You people grip when they have commercials and now you grip when someone try to do something about it. You grip if someone give you $100 because it wasn’t a new bill and it wasn’t $200. You are bunch of spoiled kids that never grown up. What it best for you to stop watching nascar thats the only way you be happy, no I take that back you grip about something else.
LOVED THE RACE SATURDAY NIGHT, IT WAS A THRILLING EXPERIENCE. I THINK THE REAL CULPRIT IN THE STEWART/HAMLIN CRASH WAS STEWART. HE COULD HAVE TRIED TO GO AROUND HAMLIN BUT BASICALLY PUSHED HAMLIN AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. IF I WAS JOE GIBBS, I WOULD REPRIMAND STEWART FOR OVERLY AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. HE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER.
I personally thought the “Wide Open Coverage” was a VAST improvement over what we’ve been seeing, 10 minutes of racing and 6 minutes of commercials. It may not be perfect, but way better!
Two points:
1. Wide open sucks on my 26 inch flat screen. Example when all three annoucers where speaking. I had half faces on at least one of the end ones. The information at the bottom of the screen was cut off and I actuall had only the top half of the bottom line showing. Some help. I also agree the way the commericals were placed were more distracting then going to a break in the action Voice over commericals might work better.
2. Kyle Bush just showed way Hendricks in dumping him. His comment about not getting assistance from his team mates shows his true stripes. I hope he watches the entire last few laps with the sound. He will hear that all three other Henricks cars were assisting. When they weren’t cut off and his brother Kurt was really trying to get ahead of him and win. Kyle there is not “I” in team. On the flip side cudos to Carl Edwards for his assistance in helping McMurray and both drivers comments at the end of the race. They should teach a Kyle a lesson, if he entends to go to another team.
I did NOT like wide open it seemed the race was all commercials…Take a lesson TNT ..IRL coverage is the best so far….
What a race! Jamie is truly a star today and really deserves it. Would have been nice if Kyle could have won the double but then he ruined it by complaining that he wasn’t helped enough by his teammates. I get to where I sort of like the Busch boys and then something like this happens. Carl Edwards is truly what makes a star whether he wins or loses.
As much as I like to see Gordon win, yesterday was memorable. I have never seen a race that close.
I agree with Gordonfan , everytime you think the Busch boys are getting their act together they say or do something to make you want to see them have an engine failure or something ..That has got to be the best finish i’ve seen this year,Congrats ,to Jamie MC Murray
I thought the wide open racing was better than a million breaks for commercials. The network has to get their advertising in somehow and this worked for me. The screen was easier to watch without so much crap all over the place also. The race itself was pretty good as well, I wonder how the COT will do at Daytona, and from my perspective Stewart was out of line blaming Hamlin for getting hit by him.
Just wanted to say thank you for the new commercial approach.I liked it better.
Just watched the taped delay of the Victory Junction race from “Smokes” Eldora race track on Speed. Those NASCAR drivers were having fun on Tony’s dirt track and it was a better show that many a scheduled Bush or Cup race. When Ryan flipped Bill Eliott’s car on to his and then they laughed about it afterwards. That was good ole boys having clean fun in the mud. Even Kyle Bush was is a good mood after his first dirt track race. Maybe it’s time NASCAR to go back to the basics. I still think the commericals sucked on TNT last night, but I can live with the widescreen if it shows the complete picture.
The “Wide Open” coverage is very neat. You still have to put up with the dumb ole commericals, but at least you can still watch what’s going on instead of missing out on some serious action like we used to. No, it’s certainly not perfect, but I’ll give them a YAY! for at least trying to improve. I’ll gladly take the “Wide Open” coverage any day over the old abnoxious way.
I liked the openwide and hope they do it all the time. It was a good race full of fun. Jammie did a good job and it was his turn. Kyle needs to grow up, that may be the reason Henderick’s are letting him go. Just a thought.
I think Wide open is a big step in the right direction. Thank you nascar, tnt, or whoever for trying. At least I got watch almost all the race. Much better! keep on keepin’ on…
Ralph
Wideopen was a good attempt by TNT to reduce time needed to break for commercial coverage. Over time they will improve it. I applaud them in their attempt to cater to fan needs.
Great race for Jaimie and the entire Roush organization.
The wide open coverage was absolutely great for my TV, and almost everything about watching the cars was thrilling. My one and only groan is they need to show more of the OTHER drivers besides the top 6. That really bugs me.
Good for McMurray, b/c anytime someone else wins who is NOT a Busch brother, I am extremely overjoyed.
Go KK!
Lloyd, I agree with you completely about Kyle. He is way too full of himself to admit that his teammates did all that they could to help out.
George, I agree with you about Stewart being at fault. Funny how no matter what happens, he always has a finger ready to point in any direction but his own.
The wide open coverage was a lot easier to watch than usual. I actually found myself running around to get a few things done during the brief breaks. Instead of having time to clean my whole house during the usual HOURS of commercials. Glad to see that they are at least working towards a better viewing experience for fans.
Well I can see from the comments that the WIDE OPEN thing was a mixed bag. That is OK!!! It was the first attempt. Maybe it can be tweaked a little and quickly become a favorite of MOST people. At the very worst, it was an attempt anyway. After watching one of my “CANT GO WITHOUT WATCHING” programs (Jack Van Impe Ministries) it sure does give you a peaceful look at things. So PEACEFULLY I hope that (MOST) people can watch and enjoy NASCAR regardless of where the OPEN WIDE takes us. CONGRATS JAMIE excellent job HOMETOWN BOY and of course GO KASEY
I thought the wide open was great. I also thought the race was one of the most exciting I’ve seen in a long time. Congrats to Jamie and Carl, those guys are true champs. As far as kyle busch, well, the rest of ya pretty much said it all, he might be able to drive, but he has a terrible attitude.
How many actually believe that the Hendrick boys did all they could to help Kyle? (And I’m not a
Busch Boys fan!) Along the same line, how many believe that Tony wasn’t at fault? (And I’m not a Hamlin fan either)
I’m not sure who was at fault in the Hamlin/Stewart crash. It would be easy to say that Tony hit Denny in the back and spun him out, but if one watches close, you can see that Denny lifted slightly because the rear end of his car was loose. Denny had to lift. Tony was just racing. He was trying to pass him to take the lead. That’s what racing is all about people. If one wants to point the finger at someone, I would suggest Nascar. If it hadn’t been for the restrictor plates, the racing wouldn’t have been that close.
M, Guess that what happens when the spoiled busch boys play in the big league. When spoiled busch boys want something it’s me and you need to help me, but if it’s you then you are own your own. One receive what one gives. it just got paid back to the spoiled busch boys
TNT sure screwed this one up.Their wide open wasnt wide open.It was lousy.FOX has the best coverage.
I was only able to watch the last 50 laps, but what a last 50 laps it was! I do not recall seeing a closer finish. The way McMurry used the side draft to pass Shrub was way too cool.
As for TNT coverage, I would give it a “C+”. It was a good try, but when it is billed as “commercial free” it should be just that. The split screen has been done by ABC with open wheel coverage. I guess all TNT prooved was you can do it with 43 cars insted of just 19 open wheel.
Gonna miss the ol’ fashion cars on the superspeedways.
Tony Stewart is a very experienced driver. He knows the effect of a left front under the right rear of the lead car. It lifts the rear wheels and the lead car loses traction and has to lift. He did it on purpose to teach Denny that HE WAS THE BEST. You don’t do that in a turn, to a team mate, on lap 13 of a 160 lap race. A radio call would have given him the lead that early in the race. It’s done all the time between team mates. JGR should make him sit out a race until he laerns what TEAM means. And, Kyle Busch had his brother Kurt to push him across the line. His team mates couldn’t get to him. Kurt was in the way. Tell it like it is.
About this TV Coverage. It’s one of these – you’r damn if you don’t and damn if you do. TNT tried to do something to satisfy to stop the crying about the commercials, and then here comes the crybabies complaining about it. Myself although I don’t like all of the commercials, I hope the media go back to the old format with the commercials. You people would not be satisfied no matter what. If Some of you was smart at all they could not be a commercial free broadcast (maybe one) What company going to fork out that kind of money, and not to see their product advertised? Maybe you need to donate money so we can have no commercials.
Yep, history has proven that Tony begs for forgivness in place of asking permission. But most times, he does not ask for forgivness.
Tony is a heck of a driver, but sometimes he just plain does not think. He needs Harry Hyde from “Days of Thunder”.
I was just wondering if Kyle Bush’s comments and views are covered by executive privilege? Aren’t Kyle and Kurt related, by some cosmic force, to the other Bush brothers George and Jeb?
“Wide-Open” on TNT was great. Also, the Roush drivers showed a lot of class. Gibbs’ teams should take a lesson from this.
Perhaps Kyle can go to work for Mike Waltrip…He needs a good driver and Mike can teach him how to behave in front of a camera.
Your right ????? of course. We all know there is no politics in NASCAR.
I hated wide open coverage. I wouls rather listen on the radio if this is the future. I like the Fon coverage.
GREAT job Fox. I enjoy Kyle Petty covering thr races. A true class act.
Lloyd we all know there is politics in nascar, There is politics at the local corner drug store. What I was saying why would anybody bring the kind of politics up such as you did. Leave that kind out. We all hear enough of that jibberish already.
Here we go again with the name calling!! Seems we can’t have a conversation without someone… be it Paul or Keith or any of the other guilty parties…name calling instead of having an intelligent discussion.
THANK U M! AND I AM A BUSCH FAN!
COULD NOT HAPPEN TO A BETTER BRAT IM PRETTY SURE HE CAN ACT LIKE A BRAT HE IS UP IN THE TOP TEN AT LEAST OR VERY CLOSE EVERY RACE, MAYBE NEEDS TO GROW UP JUST A LITTLE TINY BIT BUT WHEN HE DOES LOOK OUT CAUSE HE WONT BE STOPPED!
URPistonmeoff — great name! LOL
Read up on where Brian France is pushing NASCAR. These ain’t your pappy’s stock cars. There won’t be a pissed off, non PC Tony Stewart in front of the camera … right or wrong.
They’ll all be NASCAR/sponsor owned ‘bots.
mkb Here you go again thinking everybody or someone doing some name calling. First couple of weeks ago when you accuse me name calling when I said DUH to one of your comments that did not make much sense. I was trying to tell you re-read your comment before you ask a question. you could have seen what I was trying to tell you. Now you doing the same thing accusing someone of name calling. Who named called? Unless you are talking about the one that said the busch boys are spoiled brats. Well I tell you my friend with those two boys and their history, they are spoiled brats. They was given everything they wanted, just like their dad bought them a race track so their dad could change the rules so they be able to drive in it at a younger age. Thats not spoiled? Then they didn’t go through the ranks of other drivers through other racing to get to the big league. Although thats not their fault. It takes more to be a driver now days, or any other time for that matter it’s personality. Thats their down fall. Yes they have fans, as in all drivers. Just like the fan that said He can act like a brat because he’s in the top ten. That kind of thinking is just like saying a person can do anything they want because they get all A’s in school, or they have money Or like Linoal Richie said to his daughtor you are doing what ALL twentyfive year olds do, when she got caught driving drunk, just like her friend Paris did. Trying to justified their actions. Oh wellyou think you want and others will try to justify others actions.
mkb PS By no means I wish to have argument session with you or anybody else on here.
Keith, you’re sure sounding like you’re making sense to me. All anyone needs to do on here is express their opinion and move on without calling anyone names
Tony showed again that he drives to win, just like the old guard. It didn’t matter wheather it was his teamate or not. If you are slow and not willing to move out of the way, you pay. It’s that simple. Denny was blocking and Tony pushed him out of the way. Racing is racing.
big tom, now becareful these younger fans of Nascar likes their Politcal Correctness. You going to hurt their feelings. They don’t have the concept of what racing is or was about. Maybe these drivers need turn signals.
I think this a great place to express our opinions and is proof to me that everyone sees everything from their own unique perspective. There is no reality ‘out there’ separate from the reality we create ‘in here’!
Wide open was an improvement and I’m sure they will continue to improve over time.
I didn’t hear Kyle Busch’s comment about not being helped but sadly it doesn’t surprise me. He’s young and full of himself. The veterans will teach him what he needs to know as time goes by. His big brother Kurt learned and so will he.
Oh Boy…Smoke and his big mouth (don’t get me wrong I love Smoke). I think the deal between him and Denny was just one of those racin’ deals. Denny was having trouble hanging on to it and Stewart was doing what he’s supposed to be doing…racing. I think he jumped to conclusions in his first interview and should have held his mouth until he’d had a chance to talk to Denny but hey…that’s a part of racing and is Smoke through and through.
All I know is I love racing with or without commercials!
GOOD IMPROVMENT WITH WIDE OPEN JUST NEEDS SOME TWEEKING 1 DAY YOU’LL GET WRIGHT
NOW AS FOR THE RACE ?? WHY DID ALL THE RESTARTS GO IN SINGLE FILE THERE WERE LAP CARS?????
BUSH BOYS (BOYS SAYS IT ALL)COCKEY PUNKS
JAMEY WINING BETER THAN BUSH BOYS( OF COURSE ANY ONES BETTER )
NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE NAME CALLING WHINING BLAMING OR FINGER POINTING SPELLING( ASI HAVE TROBBLE WITH THAT MY SELF)CAUSE LIKE ALL OF YOU I GET A GOOD LAUGH OUTTA THIS ALTHOUGHT SOME OF YOU’ALL GET PISTENED OF LOL HAVE A NICE DAY
Pual Dunbar, You wrote, You do not go on a tirade chastising your very good team mate on National TV. although YOU come on here and call names to a fellow commentor. Do we see a double standard here? We know you are new to racing and all, Oh by the way if you seen the race, you would have notice stewarts team mate had lifted a slightly because he got little loose then he got hit. So who caused the wreck now?
big tom says:
July 10, 2007 at 3:43
Tony showed again that he drives to win, just like the old guard. It didn’t matter wheather it was his teamate or not. If you are slow and not willing to move out of the way, you pay. It’s that simple. Denny was blocking and Tony pushed him out of the way. Racing is racing.
you guys really kill me.If any one of the posters on here really think that what stewart did was justified in any way then you need to really to give your head a shake
TNT coverage is horrible! The commentators voices are overwhelmed by the “background” noise. I’ve got to the point where I turn off the sound and listen to the race on the radio as I watch the TV.
And in my part of the country the Commericals they did show were for G4 and inappropriate for my kids watching the race with me.
Paul dundarc, Look how close they were racing and again if the driver in front of you lifts they may get hit, you think? Look you driving on the freeway suppose to be couple of car links behind the car in front of you and when they lifts you rear ended him going only 60 mph. understand? look a little past your nose and now shake your head. a little.
Paul Dunbar, Can you please tell me of which words are misspelled? After all I don’t know why I’m asking you this, you can’t post a comment without a little name calling. Maybe Stewart should have not saying anything true, however I bet you anything that he didn’t run up to the media, it was the media ran to him. When a person is so hyped up what he is doing and something happens, and then a Mic and a Camera is shoved in his face, sometimes a person say something he should not have said, Right. Look at you, for an example you not even racing, look at the stuff you say!!
You don’t know of which comment I was referring too. Instead of calling names, maybe you need to re-read some of your comments. It’s not that hard, then again it just might be for a name caller. Oh well.
Hello