Top Row Seat - Pocono
Dateline: 06/22/98There are two things that I love in NASCAR, first time winners and old long shots. This weekend in Pocono we had young gun Jeremy Mayfield pass his boyhood idol, Darrell Waltrip, with just twenty laps to go to win the race.
First Of Many
By all accounts Jeremy Mayfield is one heck of a nice guy and a solid competitor. Based on the truly heartfelt congratulations of his fellow drivers after the race you have to believe that this was as a popular of a win up and down pit road as it was with the fans. Now that he has broken through it is very easy to believe that Jeremy Mayfield can win many more races this year and continue to be a legitimate threat to win the Winston Cup Championship.
Last year Jeff Burton broke through and staked his claim as NASCAR's up and coming driver. This year there is no doubt that Jeremy Mayfield is making his presence felt in the sport. Leading the point race as we approach the midpoint of the season Jeremy has been unshakable up front as he finally has the quality equipment and the well funded crew behind him that he needs to be a contender week after week.
Congratulations Jeremy! It's nice to see a new face consistently on the leader board.
Ain't Dead Yet
But unquestionably the highlight of the entire race was Darrell Waltrip. By leading late in the race and fighting an ailing car home to a solid sixth place finish, Darrell Waltrip proved to himself and to the world that he's still got some racing left in him.
In his post-race interview a teary-eyed Darrell admitted that he had doubted himself and his driving abilities over the last couple of years. I must admit that after watching Waltrip become a perpetual lapper who has used more than his share of Champion's Provisionals to qualify for races I was one of the doubters who was more than ready for Darrell to hang up the chrome helmet and call it a career. But now there is nothing I would love more than to see Darrell Waltrip carve his name onto one more trophy before he retires.
And I honestly believe that he just might do it. ;)
Bitter Taste
My favorite quote of the race (besides the entire post-race interview with Darrell Waltrip) comes from a very sore Kenny Schrader after being released from the infield care center. When he was told that Dale Earnhardt had passed along his apologies to the team Kenny replied "That's what they did last time they wrecked me too."
I don't think that Kenny will be sharing his leftover tires with Richard Childress Racing for a few races.
