1998 Bud Shootout - Top Row Seat
Dateline: 02/08/98After a long winter's nap. NASCAR Winston Cup racing is back. I did not realize how much I missed it until they dropped the green flag on the non-qualifiers race. That first lap with no commentary and just the beautiful sound of horsepower got my heart beating again.
No Thunderbird Bull
In the first race today, Jimmy Spencer absolutely dominated. Starting dead last (13th) he came to the front in just eleven laps and then stayed there. Spencer opted to go with the discontinued Thunderbird and it was obviously the right choice for him. I found it interesting to note that the finish of the first race was Thunderbird (Spencer), Taurus (Speed), and Monte Carlo (Earnhardt). Is this parity or just the usual restrictor plate shuffle?
My only complaint about the first race was that they never told us what happened to Dick Trickle. They said only that he was out of the race with front-end damage. Well? How did he hurt the car? Did he brush the wall and knock the front air dam loose? Did he rearend another driver? Debris? You cannot just tell me that somebody smashed their car during a race and not elaborate on what caused it (except maybe at Martinsville or Bristol.)
The Big Show
As we all switched over from ESPN to CBS to watch the main event it really seemed strange that Dale Earnhardt would not be part of the Shootout. I firmly hope that this is not an indication that this season will live down to the disappointment of last season.
Jimmy Spencer again showed that his Thunderbird was one of the fastest cars in town by driving from last place up into the lead in less than 20 laps. Spencer also had a good shot at the win if not for Rusty Wallace having his little brother behind him. Kenny Wallace was all the help Rusty needed to hold on for the win during the last lap charge.
As the cars came out of turn four to take the green the final time, Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace were side by side for the restart. One lap later Rusty Wallace won the race and Jeff Gordon was deep in the pack. Here is what I think happened. Rusty and Jeff started to pick up the pace for the restart. Rusty then started to edge ahead slightly so Gordon lifted to try again to hopefully get a better start, but Rusty just kept on racing because by then the green flag was in the air.
I think that the leader (in this case Gordon) has every right to a slight advantage on the restart. However, if you come down on the accelerator you can't change your mind. If Jeff Gordon had never got on the gas, he would have a valid complaint. However, in my opinion the race went green when both Jeff and Rusty hit the gas. It is the leaders responsibility to control the restart and jump when he wants to. As soon as he starts to go the race is then green and it's every man for himself.
There is no "Do Over" in NASCAR.
Agree? Disagree? Want to throw hot spark plugs at me? I'm available in the chat room every Wednesday night at 8pm to answer questions and defend my opinion.
