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What a Busch Race!

By: Dennis Terry

I would have never guessed that I would be talking about exciting NASCAR racing on the weekend of Pocono.  I also wouldn't have bet much money on an exciting outcome for a Busch race, a road course race or a Canadian race. 

But, combine all of those and toss in a fired up Robby Gordon, an unheard of Canadian (Patrick Carpentier), a couple of rookies and Kevin "I'm gonna wreck the whole damn field" Harvick and you get yourself one of the best races of the year and the most exciting finish in recent memory.

The only thing missing in this mix was Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch blaming each other for not winning and trying to pronounce "Carpentier" in their post race interviews.

Congrat's to Harvick for the victory and congrat's to Canada for a great track and congrat's to NASCAR and ESPN for not screwing it up.

Now, if everyone can stay awake in Pocono long enough to make it to the end of the race, maybe NASCAR and ESPN can make it two in a row. 

Too bad Carpentier isn't going to be in Pocono... but Gordon will (MAYBE?)!

DT

August 4, 2007 | Permalink

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Comments

I got a funny feeling we won't see Gordon in the #7 tomorrow. It might be some time before we see him in any race car. But then with Robby's respect for the rulings given by Nascar, he'll probably race anyway!

Posted by: ron | Aug 4, 2007 8:30:44 PM

Hey Dennis. What a race is right!!!! It was very slow going to start but once it started nearing the end all hell broke loose. It was quite funny having 3 cars doing burnouts. That's a first for me, I must say. This race will be talked about for awhile. I would have loved to see Carpentier win. He's really popular here in Canada. GO DENNY GO!!!!!

Posted by: Colleen | Aug 4, 2007 8:39:52 PM

well he should race, nascar @@@@@@ him over he won the race, and if anyone that knows anything about racing knows this.nascar has fixed the outcome of another race today.robbie was in first before the yellow came out and that means he should have been in first when the race started back.you might not like robbie but right is right.nascar you suck, they wanted a canada man to win.tony stewart was right when he said nascar fixed the out come of races

Posted by: larry | Aug 4, 2007 8:46:14 PM

Carpentier isn't unheard of unless you're one of those people that think that NASCAR is the only form of racing around. He won 5 races in Champ Cars. Sure he's no Sebastian Bourdais but he showed that he's no slouch either with a good run in his first ever Busch series race and only his second career stock car race.

Posted by: Ken | Aug 4, 2007 9:04:53 PM

patrick carpentier is an open wheel guy, but ken covered that.

years ago kyle petty was quoted in autoweek saying every week nascar gives one driver "the call."

i don't think kyle has hit his ass since that was published. but, he did get away with sayin the f word on national tv.

robby's just an ol' desert driver where you kinda do what you want out in the middle of BFE.

it must suck to get screwed out of a win and sat down in the hauler too. can you imagine an independent thinking driver like robby having to listen to hell ton go on about how you have to show respect for nascar and him??

and, if you don't like getting hosed you can go race somewhere else.


Posted by: exile | Aug 5, 2007 1:11:34 AM

I can't believe I had to run an errand for someone in the hospital and turned this race off with 10 laps left.

Crap, a beer can just crashed through my roof and flattened me like a bug.

Posted by: squished like a bug | Aug 5, 2007 1:20:15 AM

after that shithead spun him, robby couldn't get his car going because of the traffic and no room to turn his car.

i guess he shouldda just backed out into the line of cars and let the chips fall where they may.

tv showed the caution was out before robby got spun.

Posted by: robby rocks | Aug 5, 2007 1:44:38 AM

Hey Dennis, at least Robbie got a copy of the NASCAR rulebook. The way they make things up I was beginning to think it was a mythical being.

Posted by: Keith | Aug 5, 2007 5:26:27 AM

Just another "we are NASCAR and god to everbody and everything racing and what we say goes" call by CASHCAR. Robby got cheated out of a win, not matter how you look at it. We were cheering him on.

Posted by: 9fanatic | Aug 5, 2007 6:16:15 AM

It is past time to return "racing" to the sport. I am totally tired of the WWF appearance and trend of the sport. F1 has gone to hell and NASCAR is well on the way. IRL and Champ car is in the abyss. Guess its time to go back to football, somebody turn off the lights on the racing scene willya? Robby should be permanently banned from the sport period! This is no less of a scandal than the "Blacksox" in baseball. Clean up the sport or get out of the business! I have participated in the sport for more than 40 years and have never felt this bad about my chosen career.

Posted by: car6 | Aug 5, 2007 6:53:33 AM

nascar will not let robbie appeal the rule, becouse nascar owns the judges and nascar knows they are wrong.and ESPN will knott tell the real story nascar owns ESPN too.Tony Stewart has done more than Robbie has but Tony has more money.nascar are a bunch of SOB.remember Tim Richmand nascar tryed to bend him over but the real court took Tims side, and told nascar they was wrong.i hope that nascar will stick JR and Jeff and Jimmie and Tony up there A@@ so far the sun will shine and dont forget GM to

Posted by: larry | Aug 5, 2007 8:04:03 AM

Great race, but NASCAR showed itself to be a fraud. Gordon was the winner of that race. If his first name was Jeff it would be a different story.

Posted by: Rob | Aug 5, 2007 8:29:18 AM

Robby was totally right on and got shanked as NASCAR showed off its weather vane ruling system.

The caution was out and he was ahead for wherever the loop might have been. He was hit during the caution. He should have gotten his position back.
So the new precedent is set. If you're in second and the caution is out late, just punt the guy ahead of you into the wall and you can win the race.
He might have quite a few friends out there(Jimmie Johnson, I know), but aside from himself and Tony Stewart theres not anybody with balls out there anymore. Lets see if anybody takes his side today...

Posted by: Astrozac | Aug 5, 2007 9:54:22 AM

WATCHING HARVICK WRECK ALL THOSE CARS AND DOESN'T GET CALLED TO THE TRUCK IS A JOKE.HE WHINES LIKE A BABY AT INDY ABOUT STEWART AND THEN HE WRECKS ALL THOSE CARS TO GET THE WIN.WHEN IS NASCAR GOING TO BE FAIR.HE SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO RACE AT POCONO.INSTEAD THEY ROB ROBBY GORDON OF THE WIN.

Posted by: packdon | Aug 5, 2007 10:21:54 AM

NASCAR IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO DESTROYING THIS ONCE GREAT SPORT. DIFFERENT RULES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS THAT CHANGE EVERY WEEK. ALSO THE TV COVERAGE HAS GONE DOWN HILL IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. WHERE DO THEY GET THESE ESPN PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO BUSINESS IN THE RACING BOOTH. WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS

Posted by: DAVE | Aug 5, 2007 10:36:08 AM

I am becoming a big fan of Robby Gordon !!

Posted by: Kasey | Aug 5, 2007 10:42:27 AM

final score robbie gordon--won nascar--0000

Posted by: spknb4thkn | Aug 5, 2007 10:57:39 AM

I was at the race and sitting right in front of all the action that happened in those last few laps. First: Hard to understand that Kevin Harvick did not stop or slow down instead of taking out Pruett. Had he been a rookie I would have said "Ah heck...Rookie mistake" but given Kevin's experience (and unfortunately his past) I doubt that was a mistake on his part. Second: The Robby gordon scene was a disgrace for Nascar and all motorsports. Whether Robby was right or not is not the point, he reaction was totally uncalled for. This was a very highly visible race, being a first in Canada trying to bring new fans on board, and he should have left his emotions aside for two more laps. I believe Nascar was wrong on the call, but hey, it happens in all sports (even in football, where they have instant replay).
Third: The great part of it all: Best race I saw in 7 years of seeing many Nascar races. Wow, alot of action in both the Busch Series and CASCAR series races. Ah jeez what can I say "I love the crashes and mad dashes to the finish line". Nascar is Nascar... what else do you expect!

Posted by: James | Aug 5, 2007 1:23:12 PM

i am glad james brought out harvick, bcuz he was acting like a bone-head rookie! But, at least he took out two of HIS cars in the process! Wonder how momma delana felt about that one?? Nights could be cold for a while Kev!

Posted by: richard delong | Aug 5, 2007 1:54:36 PM

i am glad james brought up harvick, bcuz he was acting like a bone-head rookie! But, at least he took out two of HIS cars in the process! Wonder how momma delana felt about that one?? Nights could be cold for a while Kev!

Posted by: richard delong | Aug 5, 2007 1:55:25 PM

Was an interesting race to say the least, there was lots of action going on!!! I know when Robby was spun, the caution was out, but we didn't see who was in the lead when the caution first came out? Had he passed him at that point? Couldn't tell, the were focused on the pile up.... It doesn't matter if Robby was right or wrong about where he should start, he was told to move to 13th, he didn't, then told to park, he didn't, all this was done under caution! My deal is Why did Nascar go ahead with the race? Why did they allow it to go back green, when they'd told a driver to park? It should have been red flagged and that all sorted out and taken care of before they ever went green again! But it was an awesome race!

Posted by: darlene | Aug 5, 2007 3:40:49 PM

Are you serious? Pruett ran Harvick into the grass and he has his brakes locked up trying to avoid him. Watch the replay.

Posted by: Derek | Aug 5, 2007 5:18:42 PM

DT, have to disagree with you on a couple of things. I'll assume you're just kidding around with the remarks about Canada and road racing and Patrick Carpentier, but that kind of joking around sure contributes to the "ignorant redneck" image that a lot of people have when it comes to NASCAR.

NASCAR itself does enough to perpetuate that stereotype, which leads me to my second point of disagreement -- your statement that NASCAR didn't "screw it up." We've had plenty of commentary about the bull-in-a-china-shop way in which Harvick won, and then they blew the call on the incident with Gordon and Ambrose.

Gordon was wrong to defy the black flag, despite NASCAR's incompetence, and he was wrong to dump Ambrose, but there was no NASCAR official convenient for him to spin out, so he took it out on ol' Marcos.

Posted by: David Green | Aug 5, 2007 5:51:08 PM

Yes! Harvick booted Pruett. It was payback for him running him into the grass and off the racing surface. Pruett got what he deserved. Too bad about the collateral damage.
Anybody remember Montoya and Pruett's "get-together" in Mexico? Same deal. Pruett was blocking. It was Pruett's fault and then he whined like a baby afterwards. I don't think Pruett's got what it takes to race with the "good-old-boys."
All of you would have done the same thing if you were behind the wheel. In the heat of the battle, it's like waving a red flag in front of a bull. The result is inevitable.
C'mon.....rubbin' is racin'.

Posted by: bobhawg | Aug 5, 2007 6:47:38 PM

This race again points out one of my pet peeves, NA$CAR officiating. Darlene has it right - the green flag should not have been waved until the issue(s) with Robbie Gordon had been resolved. It really doesn't matter whether NA$CAR was right or wrong regarding where they told Robbie to line up for the restart, you just don't restart the race with a car clearly in the wrong place and knowing that if he can get to the leader, the leader is going to get dumped. If it required stopping the field and sending a tow truck out to move RG out of second place, so be it, just don't restart until the issue is resolved. And for restarting as they did, the lion's share of the blame should be directed toward NA$CAR, IMHO.

The way this was handled is akin to a pitcher throwing at a batter and the umpire throws the pitcher out of the game per the rule book. The pitcher refuses to leave and the umpire says okay, go ahead and pitch to the next batter so the pitcher hits that batter also. Now that ain't gonna happen in MLB 'cause the umps are just not going to resume the game until the pitcher is removed...by security if necessary. Likewise, NA$CAR should have not allowed the restart.

In my opinion, the one who got the really raw deal was Ambrose. The outcome should have been decided between him and Harvick and we could all argue from now until then as to where Robbie should have restarted.

Oh well, another great officiating call by the totally neutral, non-conflict-of-interest group from Daytona.

Posted by: TheBoy | Aug 5, 2007 9:25:44 PM

I'm not a Robby Gordon fan, but he got completely hosed by NASCAR. Their excuse was that he couldn't maintain cautious speed and Ambrose was in front anyway, when the caution came out. If that was the case, then the worst position that Robby should have had was second, because he was spun under caution. Plenty of times, guys that were spun under caution were given their positions back.

That doesn't justify Robbie's actions after that, however.

As for those criticizing Harvick, he had the position on Pruett going into the corner and Pruett drove into the side of Harvick, pushing him into the grass. Harvick was just getting back on the racing surface. Completely Pruett's fault.

Posted by: bradp22 | Aug 6, 2007 6:35:21 AM

The overhead replay of the accident CLEARLY shows the wreck, the caution came out immediately by looking at the other replays and Ambrose was still first. Gordon CONTINUED to race around him through the "esses", even when the caution was out!! Probably why Ambrose slam dunked Robby because he knew he passed him under the caution? Robby even said, "He didn't have a problem starting second", originally where NASCRAP placed him. Then dropped him to 12th, 13th? BS!! Somone spun him out DURING A CAUTION, he should get his position back. So, the restart, Robbie slam dunks Ambrose because his panties were in a wad, disagreeing with NASCRAP's call. The real winner...Marcos Ambrose!!!

Posted by: David | Aug 6, 2007 7:53:33 AM

Hey DT,

Nascar was blinded by how badly they wanted Ambrose to win. I think Robby passed MA under yellow, so AM totally over-reacted by spinning Robby. If that was so, Nascar woulda' just put MA back in front for the restart. But, Robby shoulda' started 2nd in either case.

Also, Ambrose gets some of the blame here.

Darlene, I like your idea for that situation. Nascar had to know what was going to happen. They were going to get a good finish anyway. Did not need that wraslin' at the end to make it a good show.

Another sad day for the power booth.

DT, congrats on a good sunday.

Posted by: Larry | Aug 6, 2007 7:54:26 AM

Pruitt,Ambrose and Gordon all got shafted by the powers that be. DId they throw the green when they did because they were afraid
some of the cars were low on fuel. Been watching for 40+ years now QUIT SPENDING $$
going to big races years ago. Local tracks are alot better..OH YEA AUTO ZONE WINS
NAPA 200 this racin stuff is better than reality tv

Posted by: sam | Aug 6, 2007 8:06:42 AM

Instead of levying fines on Robby, which they will certainly do, NASCAR should pay him a huge bonus for the free publicity.

They blew it. They know it. They'll never admit it. Robby stood up for what was right and left Montreal with his dignity and integrity intact which is more than NASCAR did.

Posted by: Barb g | Aug 6, 2007 9:59:50 AM

I agree with Barb G. on the free publicity. This could be great for the Busch series. Everyone knows that us fans thrive on controversy and action. Things get boring so now there's something to watch. We should all thank Robby for that whether we love him or hate him.

Posted by: Cheerio | Aug 6, 2007 11:23:23 AM

What can the fans do to NA$CAR to let them know our displeasure? I mean really - not watching or not going to the track type stuff just isn’t going to happen. I mean I like racin' and I'm gonna watch & may even go to Dega' - But what would get to NA$CAR, not the drivers or hurt me as a fan? Any Ideas?

Posted by: Shawn | Aug 6, 2007 1:52:22 PM

David Green...actually, walk down any street of your choosing in America and ask them if they have heard of Patrick Carpentier OR ask them to name a road course in Canada. I guess the 99.9% of the people you talk to that will answer "NO" are "ignorant rednecks?" What an ignorant statement. Speaking of ignorant, this rule has been stated MORE than once people....it DOES NOT MATTER where you are on the racetrack when the caution comes out if you CANNOT maintain your position! AND, it doesn't matter why..AT ALL. Where have you people been? I can't BEGIN to count how many times I've heard that rule PLAINLY stated. Ssssssmack.

Posted by: Big Poppa | Aug 6, 2007 2:19:11 PM

I can't believe the mess Nascar officials made at the finish in Montreal. When the green dropped Ambrose was 1st and Gordon 2nd. Robby was muscling past Ambrose as they wrecked behind them. A yellow corner flag was clearly waving as Ambrose spun Gordon. Field fozen right wrong. How could it have been anything else but either Ambrose or Gordon 1st and 2nd. It was an easy no brainer call blown. How do you park a guy in cup for an infraction in Busch this is another unheard of gaff. Lastly what about poor old Ambrose, if Nascar gave the black flag to Gordon and ordered him off then spinning Ambrose meant Ambrose should have been put back in front and a final restart again set up. Ambrose should have been the winner but had it stolen by 2 different theives, Gordon and Nascar. I mean what the Bullcrap is going on here, the supposed officials can't be this stupid can they. I hope that all the new ownership blood gives Nascar the big butt kicking they need.

Posted by: E3Lifer | Aug 6, 2007 2:43:11 PM

Big Poppa.....When a caution comes out, every driver always maintains his position except for: 1. The driver that initially caused the caution....doh! no brainer there and 2. A driver who is spun out even though he maintained control of his vehicle: until, insert name here: JERK, spun driver out. Funny how the 2007 NASCAR rule book doesn't have that rule in there. If you think I am lying....go to Section 10-4 Yellow flag and pit entry flag paragraphs A thru E. Funny how paragraph A states: all drivers shall SLOW DOWN, HOLD THEIR POSITIONS and form a SINGLE LINE BEHIND THE LEAD CAR. By the way, this is the first paragraph in the section and it comes before all others. If NASCRAP would have followed their own rule book they would have seen that when the caution was thrown, Ambrose was STILL LEADING the race: BINGO...NO MORE PASSING, yet Robby passed under the yellow. The race should have never restarted until either Gordon was off the track, or back in 12th or 13th pos. where NASCRAP put him. There in lies the problem: NASCRAP and their weak ass rules and lame enforcement.

Posted by: David | Aug 6, 2007 4:24:46 PM

David,

Where in the world did you find the rule book? I would love to see one.

Posted by: TheBoy | Aug 6, 2007 5:47:47 PM

Hey DT, is Shannon(?) Spake as hot in person as she is on TV. If I was 20yrs younger and thought I had half a chance I'd be all over her like a pit bull on Mike Vick.

Posted by: Spike | Aug 6, 2007 5:47:50 PM

Spike,

Yo! Back 'er down there big fellow... a pit bull on Mike Vick??? HEHEHEHE - that's just wrong man, it's probably more like Robby Gordon all over NASCAR officiation!

And to answer your question... YES... She is hot and loves some good dog fighting!

DT

Posted by: DT | Aug 6, 2007 6:24:54 PM

Roger that, maybe I should said "like Robby Gordon on Marcus Ambrose"...
Dude, she is hot, she is definitely easy on the eyes.

Posted by: Spike | Aug 6, 2007 6:32:31 PM

Well, regardless of the final outcome, very few will forget this first foray into Canada of NASCAR. I was at the race as well, and it was all you could expect, except the JUMBOTRON was ****ed up for quite awhile. I cant comment on the final outcome, as I dont really care that much, except to say that it has engendered a lot of publicity for NASCAR, CANADA, and the beautiful city of MONTREAL.
This was not the first time stock cars have run on this facility. CASCAR, now the NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES has run here before. The NCATS race was a fine event, with a nailbiter of a finish between a local hero, Andrew Ranger, and a grizzled veteran, Carrie Micks. Andrew with fiberglass flappin like a sail, and Carrie jumping curbs like the fine road racer he is, was more than anyone could ask for.
Thank you NASCAR for coming to Canada.

Posted by: TBIRDMEDIC | Aug 6, 2007 6:52:23 PM

Posted by: Tony | Aug 7, 2007 1:23:55 AM

James and all that agree-

What Robbie did, and the finish of that race, will bring back more fans than any "follow the leader ending" ever could. Maybe you are to young to remember a certain Daytona race with a big fight at the end.

Some people may call it a disgrace - others would call it "a race promoters dream"

How often is a road course race called exciting, and how many Busch races get this much media attention. Maybe this is the shot in the arm this series needs.

Don't necessarily agree with how he did what he did, but you have to admit it was classic "lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way" racing.

Posted by: Corvette Racer | Aug 7, 2007 7:17:41 AM

RON FELLOWS SHOULD HAVE WON!!!!
When Harvick punted Pruett, it collected Ron who was runnning ahead of all those guys and he has a way better car that Kevin.
It would have been awsome to see him win in his home country

Posted by: Matt48 | Aug 7, 2007 8:05:34 AM

i realize this is a nascar site but damn.

Patrick Carpentier an unkown racer?

Do you ever watch anything but NASCAR?

IF you are supposed to be a reporter you shouldn't make ignorant statements like that.

Posted by: Sean Kennedy | Aug 7, 2007 8:05:48 AM

Sean K-

I'm not a reporter... I'm a Nextel Cup tire changer.

I use this BLOG to talk about racing, pit stops, eating doughnuts and drivers that a lot of NASCAR fans have never heard of.

I know that there is a ton of talent in IRL, Champ Car and CASCAR but I don't work in those leagues and that's not what you're going to get from this BLOG.

Patrick Carpentier is NOT a well known driver in Busch or Cup circles and until his outstanding performance in Montreal he was relatively "unheard of" by NASCAR fans.

I'm not purposely trying to step on the toes of you guys who watch every form of racing there is on TV 24/7, that's cool if you're into that... It's just not my thing.

I'm just pointing that the guy is not a mainstream driver and because of his NASCAR obscurity, HE added to the exciting finish in Montreal.

If you guys are such big fans of his, why don't you thank me for recognizing his ability and performance instead of insulting me for MY OPINIONS?

DT

Posted by: DT | Aug 7, 2007 8:36:02 AM

Carpentier going to The Glen.
http://blogs.courant.com/autoracing/2007/08/patrick-carpent.html

Posted by: Fanimal | Aug 7, 2007 9:48:36 AM

That's a great point Dennis. You never heard of Carpentier before but here you are talking about him. It's not your fault you never heard of him. He'll be qualifying Scott Riggs car on Friday. I hope he gets to race Sunday and you can go introduce yourself. I've watched him race on the same team as Paul Tracy a few years back. He comes across as a really nice guy. By the way, great pit stops on Sunday at Pocono.Take care.

Posted by: Colleen | Aug 7, 2007 1:16:54 PM

I WISH SOMEONE WOULD INSPECT #2 CAR..IT HAD TO BE ILLEGAL..IF THE BUSH BROS WERE ALL THAT NASCAR HAD TO OFFER THE SPORT WOULD GO UNDER..BOTH THE BUSH BROS AR A-HOLES

SGMJ

Posted by: SGMJONES | Aug 7, 2007 8:13:00 PM

Some one did inspect the #2 car......Nascar

Posted by: Matt48 | Aug 8, 2007 8:26:54 AM

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