NASCAR Top Row Seat - Texas
Dateline: 04/08/97"This is what he's worked for his whole life."
This week we saw Jeff Burton get the first win of his Winston Cup career. The quote above is from his wife. I had forgotten what it means to win a Winston Cup race. But the pictures of Jeff's wife completely overcome with emotion were refreshing. Each week when Jarrett, PosterBoy and Earnhardt (but not lately) win, they're happy, but winning a race has lost some of it's mystique for them. This week I was reminded that winning a Winston Cup race is every stock car racer's dream and that every race is a big deal.
In the post race interviews both Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte gave their mandatory sponsor speeches but then quickly deflected the attention back to Burton. They both can still clearly remember their first win and seemed genuinely happy for Jeff. Both drivers scored big with me for still being able to remember why they do this.
Texas Motor Speedway: 1 - A Bunch Of Drivers: 0
Before this race there was a lot of grumbling about the race track being one groove and very tricky. After winning the Busch race Mark was asked about whether or not there was a second groove, his response? "Don't even think about it."
My favorite statistic from this weekend falls into this category. Poor Bobby Hillin, the only guy on the circuit with worse luck than Mark Martin. His involvement in the incident on lap 17 means that he has DNFs in 8 of his last 9 Winston Cup starts.
Boneheads
First lap first turn, DW comes down on Johnny Benson causing all hell to break loose. By the time it was over 13 cars were involved. Umm, Darrell, Don't you have a spotter?
Ernie Irvan pulled the dumbest move of his career (and that is saying something) on Sunday. Fresh off his complaints about PosterBoy being too aggressive trying to get his lap back in Richmond Ernie drove like he had the patch over the wrong eye and just plain drove into the back of Greg Sacks. Ernie, I can understand fighting hard to get back on the lead lap. But you are still required to watch where you're going. Idiot.
Jimmy Spencer has been doing a great job of cleaning up his image and his driving style. But this was a bonehead move. Struggling to stay on the lead lap is understandable. But when you're beat you've gotta give it up and let the leader by. Everybody is entitled to a mistake now and then but you've gotta respect the race leaders when they come by.
And finally Ken Squire. I can't say it enough. Please retire. Please retire. Please retire. I can understand when you mess up with Hut Stricklin's name. But to not know PosterBoy's name?!? Come on Ken, he's one of the Superstars of NASCAR and you called him "Johnny". Ken, in case you missed it before... Please retire. Please retire. Please retire.
Quotes Of The Week
This week there were two great quotes worth mentioning. First, after the first turn first lap incident Kyle Petty was asked what happened and he said "A bunch of the Worlds Greatest Drivers got together for a little mishap in turn one." Sarcasm is a wonderful thing.
My second great quote was from Mark Martin when a reporter asked him what kind of strategy did he think it would take to win this thing, he said "I'd rather be showing you than telling you." He's had some awful luck but at least he still has a sense of humor.
Next Up
The next track on the schedule is Bristol Motor Speedway. I can say without a doubt that of all the places I've ever seen a race this is my favorite. It's loud, it's fast and it's all right there in front of you. If you've never seen a race at Bristol you should make it a point. I love it there.
As for a prediction this week I'm going to go with a guy who has lead a ton of laps at Bristol over the last couple of years, and a guy who has been running well so far this year. Mark Martin will win this weekend.
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
