The racing was tight, and the track was dry, at least on Sunday it was. Another rain soaked, stormy weekend for NASCAR to navigate only this time we went green on Sunday, like it was meant to be. This weekend at Talladega will be remembered more for the turbulent winds coming from two of the sports top drivers, not the legendary draft created by the thunderous machines displacing air.
For the second straight week the 24 and 48 are at each others throats. Jeff Gordon has simply had enough of the 48 and his act, and he believes it's about time he does something about it. Flashback to last week at Texas and the 24 trying to go all beastie boys on the 48 and sabotage his afternoon and the integrity of his tires. Radio monitoring the 24 revealed the malice behind Gordon's actions, he was heard saying "looks like ol 4 time didn't like that too much". 4 time referring to Jimmie Johnson, who in 4 short years has matched the amount of cup championships that took Gordon over 15 seasons to amass. So in essence we have 4 time picking on 4 peat.
Chatting to an associate of mine revealed the marginal hatred that comes along with massive success. He exclaimed to me that for no warranted reason he simply does not like the 48, in fact he actively roots for someone to dethrone ol "4 peat". It's kind of like the Yankees or the Lakers, fans love to hate, heavy is the head that wears the crown. If you are on top we want to see you fall, if you are on top for as long as the 48 has, it's a long reach to knock you off the pinnacle. Can Gordon reach that high? Can he be the one to ruffle the untouchable feathers of the 48? Only time will tell. In the mean time we are in for a real treat as this story continues to unfurl.
Jimmie Johnson has tried to extend an olive branch in the direction of the 24, but it seams that the only thing that will satisfy Gordon is a pound of flesh. He was the golden boy, he was the one that the ladies loved and the dudes hated, he was the one that had his number plastered along every novelty tee shirt stand along the boardwalks of the Jersey shore. Gordon wants his title back, and it just may take a steel cage match to settle this, and crown an undisputed heavyweight champ.
On the track we saw Kevin Harvick end his win less streak with a last lap pass for all the marbles.
Because of the unique configuration of Talladega, with it's start/finish line at the end of the front stretch, this pass was possible. It amazes me how someone 50 years ago thought to mix it up a bit, and go against conventions by giving the finish line its placement. How could they have had the foresight for so many exciting finishes. Genius or accident? We will go with a little bit of both, for every idiot there is also an idiot savant. Genius is just not a term I like to use lightly (thanks Margo Tenenbaum).
Next week we roll into Richmond VA. The biggest little short track out there. Look for another win less streak to end next week in the form of Dale Jr. or perhaps the very hungry Jeff Gordon. Look out for VA. native and one of the hottest drivers on the circuit right now, Denny Hamlin to contend as well. He loves to ham it up for the home crowd.
Michael Clark (emsea)
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