Top Row Seat - Watkins Glen
Dateline: 08/12/97Those of you who have been reading this column for a while know that I do not care for the driver of the Dupont #24. However, I must admit that the kid really drove the car this weekend at Watkins Glen. There is no doubt that he has the best equipment money can buy, but on a road course it really takes some serious driving ability to win. And this week the kid won pulling away. I didn't think that PosterBoy knew what an apex was let alone how to hit eleven of them every lap.
There were a couple other guys who ran up front most of the day that I didn't know were such talented road racers. Bill Elliott had an impressive run on Sunday. I believe that "Awesome" Bill will find his way to victory lane before this season is over. Some others who performed beyond my expectations included; Joe Nemechek, Kenny Wallace and Ted Musgrave. When did these guys learn to turn right?
Black Flags And Lack Thereof
Unfortunately the NASCAR officials did not have their best day. Their most critical error of the day came towards the end of the race when they black flagged Dale Jarrett because they thought he was leaking fluid onto the track. An honest mistake except for the fact that Kenny Wallace (who was running right behind DJ) had told NASCAR that the 88 car was not leaking anything. Now even if NASCAR didn't believe Kenny and brought him in anyway why didn't they repair the damage they did? One quick caution and they could have put Jarrett back where he was running. NASCAR did exactly that for Earnhardt during the fall Rockingham race in 1995. Why didn't NASCAR extend the same courtesy to DJ?
Now I have heard race fans say (especially after the Rockingham race mentioned above) that NASCAR rules are flexible depending on your last name. Some people say that Earnhardt, Wallace, and Gordon sometimes get special treatment. This week NASCAR proved them all wrong. Witness Gordon (Robby) who pulled even with Derrike Cope on the restart (not illegal) and got a stop-and-go penalty. Now look at the other Gordon (Jeff) who jumped the restart by accelerating before the official restart marker (very illegal) without any penalty at all. See! This proves that NASCAR looks at first names too when selectively applying their rules.
No Love Lost
Since Earnhardt and PosterBoy got together during Happy Hour in Michigan this year those two have refused to give each other an inch on the racetrack. This week we saw the continuation of this story. On an early restart Earnhardt moved low to block #24 as they dove into turn one and PosterBoy drove into the back of him. Then on the very next lap, again in turn one, PosterBoy drove in underneath Earnhardt and then let his car drift up, pushing "The Intimidator" off into the grass where he nearly lost control.
I hope NASCAR is watching, because this is potentially an extremely dangerous situation and I'd hate to see any driver get hurt. Yes, probably Dale should have lifted and given PosterBoy more room back in June, but then again it was only practice and probably #24 shouldn't have tried to stick it in where there was no hole. Get over it guys! Don't let your egos get in the way of your common sense and your driving skills. You both know better.
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
Send your tips, rumors and comments to me at nascar.guide@miningco.com.
