Talladega: Don't Miss The Forest For The Trees
Written by ChrisDiBenedetto, Tuesday April 19 2011
Photo Credit: AP
A Considerable amount of praise will be given to the race this past Sunday due to the spectacular finish in which Jimmie Johnson beat out Clint Bowyer by .002 seconds at the line to take the victory at the Aaron’s 499. However focusing on the finish discounts a weekend what was anything but ordinary and for that matter anything but what most race fans want to see.
The wild weekend at Talladega started off with some wild weather, leaving many at the track seeking shelter from the severe storms developing in the area. These storms would be among some of the most exciting action of the weekend due to the dull two car drafts that the drivers were forced into participating in.
Race fans and drivers to an extent loved superspeedway racing for the intense pack racing which left you on the edge of your seat every lap. There is no longer the risk of losing the draft it you lag too far back from the pack at superspeedways and many drivers chose to take it easy for 95% of the race. The two car draft pairs allowed drivers to make up 4-5 seconds on the lead cars in a matter of laps if they decided to stay back from the pack. These days seem to be gone until something changes in the superspeedway rules or the tracks naturally become bumpy and worn out at Daytona and Talladega.
Some may argue that the thrilling finish made the rest of the day bearable, I however disagree. If listening to your driver say on the radio that they are not even trying is acceptable than NASCAR may as well concede defeat to those who say anybody can turn left all for four hours on a Sunday.
It may not be fixable in time for Daytona this July, but if we have this style of racing around in the Fall for Talladega during The Chase, will the person who sticks with the eventual champion all day be able to claim 1/10th of their championship trophy? After all Jimmie Johnson admitted that his win was as much Dale Earnhardt Juniors win this past Sunday.
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