Top Row Seat - Charlotte
Dateline: 10/08/97Say It Ain't So!
This weekend will live for a long time as one of the saddest NASCAR Winston Cup races I can remember. Deep down I've known it was coming for a while, but I never expected it so soon. For the first time in 216 races spanning his entire 26 year career Darrell Waltrip failed to qualify.
Now certainly DW has not been a powerhouse in the last couple of years, but he is always there, and quite often runs up in the top 10 for a while before having a problem of some sort. It kind of spoiled the race for me trying to imagine where Darrell was and what he must be thinking.
Come on DW! Put it on the pole and win Talladega. Show them that the old man ain't quite finished yet.
Blind Luck
I fully understand that every race team needs to get a little bit of luck on Sunday in order to make it to Victory Lane, but this week Dale Jarrett really had things fall his way. (literally)
On his next to last pit stop the crew made a tire pressure adjustment, dropped the jack and DJ pulled out of the pits leaving a spring rubber lying on pit road. It had accidentally fallen out of the suspension during the stop. (for those of you new to the sport a spring rubber is jammed into the spring to make it stiffer) The crew was concerned about the unplanned change in suspension but it turned out to be exactly what the car wanted. After that the car handled perfectly and DJ drove away from the competition.
Some days things just go your way.
Ken Squire, Please Retire
I cringe every time I pick up the television guide and see that the race is on TBS because I know who is going to be doing the coverage. Normally I'll mute the television and listen to the race on MRN while I watch but unfortunately this week I had to watch the race in the evening on tape so I was forced to listen to Ken.
I guess the worst part of a Ken Squire broadcast are the blatant inexcusable errors. Ken Squire must never watch a Winston Cup race other than the ones he covers because he truly has no idea who the drivers are.
This week his favorite "unknown" was Dale Earnhardt. How can you not know that Earnhardt drives the black number three? Dale is a legend and a lock for the Motorsports Hall Of Fame, yet apparently Ken Squire has only a passing knowledge of him.
First, as we saw a shot of the #3 coming off turn four and into the tri-oval Ken said "Earnhardt in the number two car...." Thankfully Buddy Baker was there to politely correct him. And then during that great battle between Bobby Labonte and Earnhardt Ken got all excited and said "Bobby Labonte hangs it high, here comes Waltrip right back on the inside." Waltrip? Come on Ken, you've done a great job over the years but it's time for you to turn your microphone over to somebody who actually watches NASCAR.
Next Week
I just wanted to let you all know that I will be in New Orleans next week on business and will not be able to update this website until the week after. Sorry for the inconvenience. If anything exciting happens in Talladega you can be sure I'll toss in my opinion when I return.
Thanks for your patience.
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
Send your tips, rumors and comments to me at nascar.guide@miningco.com.
