Familiar Names Battle It Out at ORP

The Nationwide Series took it's act to ORP on Saturday night, and once again, it came down to Kyle and Carl.

Sitting in turn four, I had a great view of them both as they lined up to start the race (Kyle in 41 and Carl in 42). They were both eager to get out and make their way to the front. Within the first 40 laps, they were both near the top ten.

Before the two Cup stars could get their cars to the front, there was an interesting battle up front with pole sitter Trevor Bayne and Steve Wallace. Bayne led for most of the laps.

Rising star Brad Keselowski was putting the pressure on them all as he hung around the top five all night. Unfortunately, he got a bit too aggressive too early in the race, and took out Mike Bliss, who was running third at the time.

Dominating truck series driver Ron Hornaday was giving the leaders fits all night because he was so difficult to get around. He wasn't blocking or doing anything wrong, he just had a strong car, and obviously knows his way around the track.

Scott Wimmer had an impressive lead on Carl and Kyle, who couldn't seem to catch him. That is, until the caution came out.

With Kyle and Carl both up front, they were basically dueling it out for first and second. No disrespect to any of the other drivers out there, but they are just so much more talented.

Kyle held the lead for a few laps before Carl finally got the best of him, much to the chagrin of the crowd. Carl took the lead from him, and if you couldn't see it, you could definitely hear by the crowd's reaction.

After a long green flag run, there came another caution with about 30 laps remaining. It was Carl on the inside and Kyle on the outside.

Carl spun his tires on the restart, and Kyle took the position. He had the lead for a few laps before Carl got around him for good. He went on to win the race, in a classic one for the fans.

I have been to many Indy 500's, The Brickyard 400, and after tonight's race, I left ORP feeling good about where auto racing stands today in Indy. Is there any other place that comes close? I didn't think so either.