Breaking Down the Wild Race in 'Dega

First off, after 105 races and 16 seasons, spanning from 1990, Owner James Finch got his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win, with rookie driver Brad Keselowski.

Drivers that have gotten top 10s for James Finch include Geoffrey Bodine (2) in 2002, Mike Wallace (4) in 03, 04, 07, Johnny Sauter (1) in 2005 and Brad Keselowski (1) this weekend at Talladega.

Of those drivers that have achieved top 10s,  Bodine, Wallace and Keselowski all have one top five a piece.

Of those 8 top 10s scored by those drivers, 6 have come on either Daytona or Talladega ; the other two at Phoenix and Richmond, which are two very similar tracks.

So my point is, James Finch winning at a Super-speedway track isn’t a surprise to me. They always, most of the time, have a piece that is capable of running in the draft and up to speed.

So congrats to Mr. James Finch for sticking with it and getting his due. Between the Hendricks and Roush’s of NASCAR, wins for the little teams are very far and few between.

THE DRIVER: BRAD KESELOWSKI

Yes, he was in the right spot at the right time.  And yes, Dega’ is a crap shoot that requires a lot of luck over the amount of skill you might have.

But twice during that race he tucked up under someone and pushed them to the front of the pack. So kudos for knowing what he had when his number was called to tuck up and go to the front.

But also, twice is the number of times he could of easily been booted from the competition and walked away with a pile of junk to take back home.

Once when Vickers ran up on him fast, and Keselowski had no where to go. And another, when NNS owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. tried to get around him and Keselowski blocked. So luck was very much on his side.

But big Kudos for Keselowski for having the balls to get by a Goliath of the sport and TRY! to win. It made for an incredible finish, which unfortunately is what all the networks are talking about…not Brad Keselowski.

Winning in the Nationwide series is one thing…but winning in the Sprint Cup series should open many many doors for this young driver. Winning proves he belongs,  and I know that’s what he is looking for.

THE WRECK

It wasn’t the bump drafting that caused Edwards to turn sideways and lift in the air and into the fence.  It was the blocking attempted by Edwards that caused the chaos.  Blocking is the problem at both Talladega and Daytona.

But it's something that NASCAR shouldn’t change, because one, they already have the yellow line rule (and all the other rules that branch from that), and two, you “block” at your own risk.  If you get taken out because of blocking, then it is your fault and only your fault.

BUT I understand blocking for the win…on the last couple of laps it should not be frowned upon. BUT the blocking that was going on during laps 1-50 is just ridiculous. There is no reason to block except for late in the race.

AND even then, if you get wrecked because of blocking, it is your fault.

Look back on Regan Smith’s attempt to get by Tony Stewart at ‘Dega last fall.
Tony pulled off a successful block that sent Smith below the yellow line and was DQ’ed for doing so.   And instead of finishing first or second, he finished 18th, I believe.

IF Smith really wanted to win that race, he would of stood his ground just like Keselowski did, and maybe he would be in a full time ride this year and not part time with the #78 Furniture Row team.

TRACK SAFETY

But as far as all the ongoing safety discussion,  everything did its job, safety wise. I mean, Edwards getting that high was a freak accident.  If Edwards didn’t go over the hood of Newman’s car, then he would of plopped back on the ground and backed into the wall.

If anything, they need to make the fence a little bit higher, because I believe that it’s possible for a car in that same situation/scenario to get high, wide, and handsome, and clear that 15 foot catch fence.

But as far as the fans that were hurt, its a shame, and I hope all that were injured get the proper medical treatment, and none of it comes out of there pockets. I hope that somehow the track, drivers, or the sport do something to make sure its taken care of.  I’m sure NASCAR will.

But for now that's all my rambling over the NASCAR weekend.

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!