Food City 500: Takeaways from Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway offered everything one expects from short-track racing with close competition, big-time wrecks, and some surprise finishes, and some visuals were stunning to observe.

No doubt there are many drivers who still don't like the racing at BMS since it was repaved because of the long green runs and lack of sequential accidents.

Though if you want competitive racing on a half-mile track, you got it.

Typically, the list was short of drivers who finished on the lead lap. With 15-second laps, it is easy to get behind even without problems.

Brad Keselowski was the winner, a new victor to come out of first four races of the season.

The latest edition of the Food City 500 is in the history books, and some moments just may be talked about for a while.

Where Were the Fans?

Once upon a time you had to sell your soul to get a ticket for Cup races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Families passed their tickets from one generation to the next.

Today there was an estimated 60,000 fans in a facility that holds nearly three times that many people. It was shocking to see so many empty seats.

We can blame the rain that passed through early in the morning, or the people that miss the crash-filled racing, or the economy, or the pricey lodging if you can find it, and of course gas prices.

The fact may be, however, that people would just rather watch the race on their high-definition televisions in the comfort of their homes where they can switch to other channels and check back in on the race.

With social media, and varied electronic streams to view the race, the burden is becoming heavier for the tracks to get fans in the seats.

It was a sad visual for NASCAR, though many sports would be thrilled to attract that many fans.

Kasey Kahne's Misery

Kasey Kahne was looking for a dream season with his new ride in the Farmers Insurance No. 5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports.

Kahne's loyal spotter, who is also his cousin, indicated it was clear sailing for the driver early in the race. Kahne took him at his word and moved up the track only to be punted by Regan Smith.

The HMS driver finished 37th and dropped to 32nd in the point standings. He completed only 366 of the 500 laps with major repairs needed.

Kahne still has all the resources to win races and finish well, but he is going to have to escape the dark cloud that is following him.

If he stays deep in the points, he will be forced to win races to make the wild-card slot for the Chase.

Brad Keselowski Puts Dodge in Victory Lane

Brad Keselowski won the August race last year at Bristol Motor Speedway, supposedly by cheating the timing lines on pit road.

NASCAR took steps to prevent that from happening again by adding two more timing lines on both the front and back pit lanes.

Keselowski proved it didn't matter and put his Penske Blue Deuce in Victory Lane. He needed the win to improve his standings and he did move up eight markers to 13th in points.

Penske Racing also wanted to get some wins with their two teams before they pull the plug on Dodge in favor of Ford for 2013. Now they have one in the books for 2012.

Another Unhappy Hendrick Motorsports Driver

Jeff Gordon blamed his teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., for side-swiping him, his cut tire and the damage to his car.

But it was really just the consequences of hard, short-track racing. Earnhardt brushed the No. 24, but probably either his exhaust or a part of the body cut Gordon's tire.

Gordon finished 35th and dropped six places to 23rd in points. The two were racing in the top 10 at the time of the incident.

Earnhardt had his own problems with a speeding penalty during a caution late in the race and finished 15th, dropping him two slots to sixth in the standings. 

MWR Looks to Be the Real Deal

Michael Waltrip made major changes at Michael Waltrip Racing for the 2012 season, in hopes of becoming a top-tier team.

His team of drivers include Clint Bowyer in the No. 15, Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 56 and Mark Martin running a partial schedule in the No. 55.

Today Brian Vickers filled the seat of Martin's car. He led a lot of laps and was part of the MWR trio that finished third, fourth and fifth in the Food City 500.

Looked Like a Modified Race

The big wreck in the early stages of the race took out some of the the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

It was an odd sight to see Kyle Busch making laps with a heavily damaged car when he was favored to win the race.

Others who were expected to be contenders for the win, like Carl Edwards, looked very much the same as Busch, puttering around the track trying to maintain racing speed.

Edwards finished 39th and Busch was 32nd when the checkered flag flew.

It was an odd sight to see these drivers, including Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon, running the remnants of their cars at the back of the field.