A Tale of Two Races. Truex Vs. Patrick

Watching the Carfax 250 on Saturday it became very clear to me. There are two ways you can get into the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

The first, and the more common way, is to be one of the most talented racecar drivers in the world. To make people turn their heads and go, WOW! Where did that come from.

The second way is to have a popular name and look good.

Both were demonstrated Saturday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway.

If you look at the starting grid you would have realized it too. It's something that didn't catch my eye until it was pointed out to me.

Ryan Truex, who was making his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the season, was on the outside of the front row. The 18 year old had NEVER raced at Michigan International Raceway before Saturday's race.

Then there is Danica Patrick, who rolled off 33rd in her 6th career series start. She had raced at Michigan three times in her IRL career and had the upper hand on expirence over Truex.  

It's not like Patrick was in some solo car operation, with no money. Go Daddy and Hot Wheels pay Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Rick Hendrick a lot of money to provide the best equipment and people possible for Patrick and her transition to NASCAR.

Ryan Truex's sponsor is NAPA. They have a lot of money too. However, Michael Waltrip Racing doesn't have the same fire power as a Hendrick Motorsports car.

Yet here is Truex, beating the hell out of Patrick.

Patrick was four laps down and finished 27th after she claimed her car was "really loose all the way around." 18 year old Ryan Truex ended up an impressive 12th in just his second career Series start.

Patrick said, "I'm guess I'm just glad I held on to it for the first half of the race, It was going well (the weekend), we were in the top 20 the whole time."

Glad you hung on to it? That's your goal for the afternoon?

Ryan Truex was in the same boat as you were, yet he beat the crap out of you.

Patrick's finished behind the underfunded team of Jay Robinson Racing and Mark Green.

Truex did something Saturday that Danica Patrick hasn't been able to do all season, finish on the lead lap.

I am not asking Patrick to set the world on fire, but just to finish ahead of Mark Green and his underfunded Jay Robinson Racing Chevy.

So the next time you hear the term "the best drivers in the business," just remember that some of them aren’t!