Sofa Sideline – Talladega, The Non-Racing Race

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the EA Sports 500 at Talladega, and
his car is found to be illegal during post-race inspection. The height of the
roof is 1/8 inch lower than the required 51 inches, and his crew chief, Tony
Eury Sr. is fined $25,000 for the infraction. I listened to one commentator tell
us how the lowered roof can make a big difference in the aerodynamics, but of
course, did not have anything to do with his winning. That’s like saying that
aerodynamics has nothing to do with the race in Talladega. Tony Stewart hung
around almost last for most of the day, but with 35 laps to go made his way to
the front. Was that a surprise to anyone? One of my favorite drivers, Bobby
Labonte, played it a little differently for a change, hung around the front, but
wound up on his roof with less than three quarters of a lap to go. Fifteen other
cars were damaged as a result of that accident. Geez, this is fun – not.

I have been going to both the spring and fall race in
Talladega for the last four years, and at least for the last two, I have been
walking away muttering to myself about what the heck just happened on the track.
This is not racing. This is watching 43 cars all packed together for 188 laps,
and as a fan, you watch, with your stomach in your throat, waiting for something
awful to happen. Where I sit, everyone stands up for the entire race. This race
seemed different. I think the fans are finally catching on that this is just
plain scary and no matter who marches forward or backward during the first 180
laps, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is who can block who the best during
the last lap. Dale Jr. won that battle. And Tony, you probably should have
hooked up with your teammate that lap – that might have made a difference in
the outcome.

I agree with Labonte, Wallace, Benson, Stewart, Marlin,
Jarrett, Bodine and whoever else harped at the NASCAR officials this weekend. Do
something before someone gets killed.

I like Talladega, the facility, the grounds are well-kept and
the operation is run smoothly. The weather has been absolutely perfect. I meet
friends, some of whom I only see at these races. We camp for the weekend, and
have a grand old time, and that’s what makes the weekend fun. I am a season
ticket holder at this race track, but have decided not to renew either race
unless something is done to make this race a race. I am no longer going to spend
hard-earned money to watch "the big one." I don’t find that
thrilling or exciting, and do not understand those who do.

In total there were over $61,000 levied for infractions.
Maybe points and race wins should be taken away, instead of just fines being
imposed. It might make a difference, and maybe actually stop some of the rules
violations.

Larry Carter, crew chief for Todd Bodine, was fined $10,000
and placed on probation for an altercation in Kevin Harvick’s pit stall after
Harvick put Bodine in the wall on the backstretch. Harvick’s aggressive
driving style and attitude has irked many drivers this season, and there may
come a time when the "shoe is on the other foot" so to speak, and
Harvick might get a taste of his own medicine. Somehow I think that’s coming.

Other Notes:

It was nice to see the entire Petty team make the race on
Sunday, and from what I’m hearing that team will stay together for next
season, with all sponsorships being renewed. Help for the remainder of this year’s
racing program comes with the signing of Steve Lane who had been the crew chief
with Jeremy Mayfield for the last five years. Hopefully, we’ll see some
improvement this year, and look forward to the Petty camp returning strong next
year.

Silly season is still going on in full force. Jeremy Mayfield
is supposed to announce his decision within the next couple of weeks, and most
likely after that, the trickle down effect will take place, and we will know who’s
going where. Rumors are still strong that Mayfield will be going to Evernham
Motorsports, and speculation had it that Casey Atwood might lose his ride as a
result. It has been reported that Casey will not be leaving, and that another
Dodge team will be run with Evernham overseeing the operation. Time will tell.

The Winston Cup series is off to Phoenix this weekend. I will
be watching this one from the comfort of my living room. With the first game of
the World Series and the Cup race on the same weekend, it should be one busy
town.

One last remark – Go Yankees!!!!!

That’s it for now.