A little about Kyle Busch's Dover Weekend and Dale Jr and other opinions

In shadows of Dover Speedway last weekend, tens of thousands of green hatted Dale Jr. fans sat in awe as Kyle Busch showed again why he is the current Sprint Cup Series points leader.  Fans of others were not spared as the array of Roush Fords battled to secure top fives while Kyle Busch secured yet another victory amidst boos from all around. 

Due to the earlier reference to Dale Jr I would like to reflect on the reason my enthusiasm for the #88 has began to elude me in the past few weeks. 

I would like to call out the early wreck during Sunday’s race, where Dale Jr was rear ended and nosed into the wall.  For any that saw it like I did, I think it was pretty obvious his car was not hurt that bad.  Certainly not as bad as the #20 and #29 who both managed to drive their mangled machines back to the garage. 

How surprising was it that the #88 wound up behind the wrecker for a quick haul to the garage.  In contrast, earlier this month “Rowdy” Busch was racing in the Truck series running in the top five when Ron Hornaday put him in the wall and spinning through the infield.  Note Busch had already missed a race or two in that series, and has no chance at that championship at this point, yet he drove his batter truck back to the pits, got it mended somewhat, and returned to the track to battle for 15th.

The reason I mention this is to highlight the difference in personalities between Kyle and Dale. 

Kyle Busch will take what he is given in the car and make up the difference with driving ability; if he wrecks he will race it wrecked. 

Dale Earnhardt, Jr, has always been unable to step up and make up for an ill handling race car since he got to the Cup series.  Anyone who was a fan of NASCAR prior to 2001 and the untimely death of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. knows that was his forte, compensating for the lack of a dominant car with dominating ability. 

Jr. missed out on that part of the DNA.  Due to what DNA he did get from Dale Sr. I will always pull for Dale Jr., I just wish he would step up and make it happen to win some races.  Points racing might make the chase, but it has really hurt the racing. 

Kyle Busch provides a much needed breath of fresh air to NASCAR by actually racing to win.  We all owe the Gibb’s bunch a lot of thanks for removing the Hendricks reigns on this kid, and letting his show what he can do.

Anyway, back to Kyle.

Like a seasoned veteran, Kyle Busch was content to ride in the top five while waiting for the race to come to him.  Just shy of 150 laps to go, Kyle made his move to take the lead, and stayed there for most of the rest of the race.  At times his lead was over 6 seconds, but he was content with a 3 second margin of victory after his crew assured him that second place Carl Edwards couldn't catch him. 

In other news… might be the end of the road for Jamie McMurray in the infamous fifth car from the Roush-Fenway stable.  While every other owner in the garage has had to abide by the four or fewer teams rule, Jack Roush has managed to keep his fifth car citing driver and sponsor obligations as the reason he can't trim the fifth team away. 

In the last few years since this excuse was first used by Roush, he has managed to make numerous driver and sponsor changes.  Now it is rumored Jamie Mac is on the way out.  It will be interesting to see if Jack gets to keep that fifth team intact with yet another different driver. 

Expanding on that...  Are decent drivers really that hard to come by?  Gibbs has managed to pull Hamlin and Logano from what seemed to be thin air.  Childress managed to find Bowyer.  Why is it that one hit wonders like McMurray gain the staying power of a veteran after so many years of wrecked racecars?

Last weekend Jeremy Mayfield got a start in the #40, finished 25th, and I read that his finish was the high point of the season for Chip Ganassi and that car. 

This weekend Jason Leffler will start the #70, and assuming he makes the race I would be willing to bet my hard earned money that he hits something... hard. 

If these owners could only see the hundreds of young eager men and women that are out working their butts off every weekend at the small town dirt tracks, any of which would be willing to give their life savings for an opportunity to drive top quality equipment on racings biggest stage, yet so many are willing to see their cars destroyed on a weekly basis because someone used to drive open wheel, has a famous last name, etc. 

If you really just can't find anyone else, call me, I will come and practice until my right leg falls off to make your car go fast and win.  I have won many races on the small tourist attraction tracks at Daytona and Pigeon Forge, and I have won hundreds of races on gaming systems, and I will drive the car 150% even if it isn't up to 100%.

 I would like to apologize to anyone reading this, I have had a few days to let my recollection of the race fade, and since we are halfway through the week I am already ready for the next race.