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August 13, 2006
Anyone see my clipboard?
By Mike Harper
The AMD at the Glen brought an end to a very exciting weekend of racing. The ARCA RE/MAX Series and the Craftsman Truck Series delivered bumper to bumper drama in Nashville, while the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series played bumper cars on the road course at Watkins Glen International. If you watched the Craftsman Truck Series race on television you weren’t disappointed. The action was just as hot and heavy off the track as it was on the track. Most of the drama surrounded the No. 5 team of Mike Skinner. The Skinner team experience an incredible fire in the pits which caused their catch-can man to do more than a stop-drop-and roll. He caught on fire and had to stop-jump over the pit wall-and roll. The scary incident even had Mike Skinner’s wife Angela, jumping off the back of the pit box to safety. In the end, no major injuries were reported.
With three laps to go in the Truck event, Todd Bodine moved Skinner up the track to take the lead. On the last lap, Skinner caught Bodine and repaid the favor, except he took both drivers out of contention. Johnny Benson benefited from the Skinner-Bodine skirmish and won the race. In the meantime, the cameras caught an angry Angela Skinner on top of the pit box and after settling down for a moment, if not seconds, she spiked her clipboard on to pit road. After the race Bodine said, "Skinner and I are supposed to go on vacation in a few weeks. That should be interesting." Did NASCAR change the outcome of the race? As much as NASCAR tries to keep the field level for all competitors, I’ve got to wonder if NASCAR could’ve looked at the Kurt Busch incident a little differently before they penalized him for entering pit road while it was closed. While I agree the red "closed" lights were on before Busch hit the "official" commitment line on pit road, I also think Busch had no choice but to enter pit road. When Busch committed to pitting, pit road was open and the green lights were on. However the red lights flashed on just feet before Busch got to the official commitment line. In my opinion, NASCAR had no choice but to make the call the way they did. My problem with the penalty is NASCAR could’ve made a judgement call as they have done on many occasions in the past. Busch had committed to pit road when the lights were green and the replay shows this fact. The mistake is where NASCAR placed the official commitment line in the first place. On this road course, the line should’ve been moved back towards the entrance of pit road, thus ultimately not allowing the drivers access to immediately jump back on the track. The horrible placement of the official commitment line caused Busch the race. Is the Lucky Dog rule a joke on road courses? I’ll admit, I was on the side of racing back to the caution flag. I liked the strategy of the leader making the decision of who could get their lap back and who couldn’t. But I understood the need to keep drivers safe and accepted the new rule. It’s times like today when I really question the Lucky Dog rule. Due to a problem with the rear-end on his car, Kyle Busch had to take his car behind the wall and lost five laps while his team fixed the issue. When the checkered flag dropped, Busch finished the day 9th on the lead lap, because throughout the race he was awarded five Lucky Dogs. In my opinion, that’s crazy! Will Kasey Kahne make the Chase? It’s looking like the No. 9 team has lost all their momentum that they had earlier in the season. I also believe the Jeremy Mayfield issue has taken a toll on the entire organization. It’s easy for me to see the reason’s behind Mayfield’s termination, but at the same time I agree with Mayfield’s comments from several weeks ago about Ray Evernham not being at the track with his Cup teams. I’ve personally seen Evernham at the side of Erin Crocker while he works on her development. I find it odd that Evernham is spending so much time on Crocker, while his primary teams suffer. Kahne was solidly in the Chase at one time, but now that he has fallen outside of the exclusive Chase group, I believe Evernham needs to put his development program into the hands of those working for him. Somewhere within this organization the job of getting their teams into the Chase isn’t getting done and I honestly believe this was Mayfield’s point all along.
August 13, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
After the last 2 weeks, I think it's definietly time for Nascar to put a limit on how many times a driver can use the charity lap. That just isn't racing.
Posted by: sal | Aug 13, 2006 11:18:52 PM
Mike,
LOL, you stole some of my thunder by posting before me about the Glen, but let me add to a few of these ideas.
NASCAR indeed determined the outcome of the event (oh, like there's a suprise) and I believe wrongly so. The light should be in effect at the point of commitment to the pits not at the start of pit road. Even at 35mph its hard to stop a car in 10ft (try it). There was no turn option either. He had committed to the pits under green and had a wall coming up on the left. NASCAR made a bad call, and while I'm glad my guy won, I'm thinking Kurt may have been cheated out of making an ass of himself doing a snow angel again.
How about no consecutive "Lucky Dogs?" If the pooch won't die at least make it fair...er. No driver can get back to backs. Make them earn something.
LOL, if Evernham really is linked to Crocker he's done her no favors. It would ruin her as a sign of diversity and of what women in the sport can achieve on merit. Back to the old days...she slept her way to the top. Not that shes shown great skills but even if she did she'd always be seen as getting there thru "other means."
Posted by: Keith | Aug 13, 2006 11:28:17 PM
Keith, I have to agree with a couple of your comments( as much as it pains me ) however, I sure wish we had more info about Ray. I heard he has recently seperated (from wife), do you know if this is true? AND is Crocker actually involved or is this rumour? If all that is insinuated is true, what do you think will be the sponsors reaction?
Posted by: 328 | Aug 14, 2006 7:41:24 AM
With Angela Skinner having to bail off of the pit box from the fire, it sure makes Delana Harvick look pretty sensible for wearing a fire suit.
Posted by: Marla | Aug 14, 2006 8:46:35 AM
Hey Mike,
Starting with the "fire". The same thing happened (didn't) at Indy last week. In JJ pit, but the fireman put the fire out instantly. My guess is that there are fireman about every 5 pits for a truck race (but two officials to count lugs). Also suggesting that there was a fireman for each pit at Indy. If safety is such a priority, let's value lives in the truck series as much as lugnuts.
Ray is obviously in a bad place in his life right now, let's give him some space.
While it is no longer "Bud at the Glen", the guy on the button/switch for pit road still has a red shirt on. Will root for Kurt and the 2 car (and 12) to win some more races this year and be strong for next year. Agree they need to scoot the commit cone back, or at least be able to tell the crew of the infraction before they stop. He could have passed thru, without penalty if I understood that right. Would have been fun to see the 2 car up there for that finish.
Now I understand David Green's fury with the dog. After Kyle got all his laps back and the caution flew, I wondered if he was then a lap ahead of the field. lol
Be well, go 2/12!
Posted by: Larry | Aug 14, 2006 9:14:16 AM
Mike, I only saw the last few “rushed’ laps of the ARCA race due to the Busch race being aired at the same time. (They couldn’t start the ARCA race sooner so fans would have had the opportunity to watch both live?)
I did watch the Truck race, and if it wasn’t for the fact that Busch and Cup were racing on a road course, I would have thought it was the better race of the weekend. For those who say Skinner and Benson don’t have what it takes to win – well, I think they are proving themselves, even if it is in the Craftsman Truck Series.
I have to agree with you and Keith, that NASCAR made a bad call on behalf of Kurt Busch. There’s no doubt the commitment line needs to be moved, or as Kenny Wallace said on Victory Lane, maybe the light needs to be moved as well, or there should be two. Could the first be yellow, then red at the line?
However, if NASCAR would have told their official IMMEDIATELY that the 26 was in violation of the rule, they would have had the opportunity to continue through pit road and not make the stop. I feel that NASCAR made two errors. Now, if Kurt would have been doing an asphalt snow angel again, we’ll never know, and that was the fault of NASCAR.
Re: the Lucky Dog. . .for some reason, it seems the rules keep changing. (I know, everything is written in pencil.) I didn’t think the Lucky Dog was “eligible” at a road course. And last year I thought there was a driver who was the only one NOT on the lead lap and several laps down. However, he was unable to receive the Lucky Dog until he was only 1 lap down. (I know someone will give me enough stats to let me know if I am wrong. And I’d like to thank you in advance.) To me it just doesn’t seem to be consistent.
Just like the Top 35 rule, I think the Lucky Dog needs to find a new home.
If Elliott Sadler is truly going to Evernham, I really hope he’s thought this out thoroughly. It’s obvious Kasey Kahne is the #1 team, and it’s obvious that Ray’s focus is not necessarily on the Cup teams. I was really hoping Elliott would follow DJ to MWR, or look at other options. But maybe there’s something going on that we’re not aware of.
And if Angela Skinner needs me to help her find her clip board, I’d be more than happy to volunteer!
Nicely done, Mike!
Congrats on the win, Keith. It was fun watching two “friends” fight for the win. Maybe the “bad call” wasn’t so bad after all!
Posted by: Shirley | Aug 14, 2006 9:35:22 AM
Larry,
That Lucky Dog was one tired pooch at the end of the day. Let's see, at 3.4mi a pop, thats what over 17mi he had to run.
Lose the Lucky Dog. Even the "Gentlemens Agreement" wasn't all that gentlemenly and certainly no-one would have been given that 5 times in a row.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 14, 2006 9:37:31 AM
Well. . .you can tell I can't go back and fix MY errors. . .that should have been:
"....IMMEDIATELY that the 2 car was in violation of the rule...." (not the 26)
It's Monday, that's my excuse!
Posted by: Shirley | Aug 14, 2006 9:39:04 AM
The #2 team knew it was taking a gamble by having Kurt pit when he did, if he would have beat the light nobody would say a thing and we would have been watching snow angels, and puking in our beer. The smart move for Busch would have been to park his car at the start of the race for about 4 laps then he could ride around in the back out of trouble for the first half of the race collecting lucky dogs. Then with his nice cool brakes he could have made his charge to the front.
When the free pass rule was implemented 2 years ago it excluded road courses because nobody could race their way back on to the lead lap on a road course. Then last year at Sonoma Jeff Gordon needed his lap back from transmission problems and Nascar changed the rule, during the race.
Posted by: hostage94 | Aug 14, 2006 10:04:16 AM
I think the truck race was the best race of the weekend. I just wish Hornaday did not have his tire issues. Skinner and Bodine on vacation together. Now that will be interesting!!
I think Kurt got a bad deal. I know he was already committed but that definitely changed the outcome. I don't think anyone else could have beat him.
The lucky dog rule is a joke. I have to agree with Shirley because I think last year someone was a lap down and they would not give them the lucky dog and would also not let them restart beside the leaders. Either limit the number of times you are given the pass or completely get rid of it.
I don't think Kahne will make it in. He has never been consistent. And can someone please explain to me why Elliott Sadler thinks that going to Evernham is going to be better for him? He will always be 2nd behind Kahne.
Posted by: Michelle | Aug 14, 2006 10:05:14 AM
Keith, It's a new day, and we agree.
Posted by: Larry | Aug 14, 2006 10:06:24 AM
Without a real scoring tower at the Glen, we had no idea Kyle Busch had made up all the laps he lost....Unbelieveable...But I still like the lucky dog if they're not allowing racing to the line on a caution...
My highlight of the weekend: As Junior walked down pit road to his car before the race, my daughter stands up and yells at the top of her lungs "I love you Junior". Embarrassing at the time, though.
Posted by: Racingphan | Aug 14, 2006 10:54:04 AM
I guess this past weekend proved that if you get your ears pinned back, you are faster! Asphault angels, we now know who's phault it is and approriately named! NASCAR needs to kennel the "lucky dog" during road courses. Heck, kennel it completely! We all ready know that those who benefit from it the most have the brownest and wettest noses!
Being a fire safety worker in the pit lane myself, the concrete isn't going to melt. The focus should have been on the personnel that were immediately affected. They should have used the water extinguishers on the crew and let others focus on the concrete after all people were attended to. The equipment can be replaced! I noticed a crew member throw what looked to be an airline back over the wall while it was still burning. Not the safest this to do. I would hate to see an nitrogen tank take off under or next to the team equipment cart.
Just my left coast opinion and 28 years of working the lane!
Posted by: Big Dog Mike | Aug 14, 2006 11:25:40 AM
What a weekend!
I agree with most of the posts concerning the "Lucky Dog". Without racing back to the flag, the fairest thing would be a tweak of the rule to not allow back to back lucky dogs.
As for Kurt's unfortunate penalty, they argued with Nascar instead of driving through. The lights should be at the committment line, and once inside the committment you shouldn't be allowed to dive back out.
Great finish to all three Nascar races.
And did any of you see Knoxville. Lasoski getting upset at his Dad who works for the Aussie he punted. "You want to hit me? Hit me now!"
GREAT WEEKEND
Posted by: Spaceman | Aug 14, 2006 12:09:28 PM
I'm not a big Kurt Busch fan, but do feel sorry for him after that lighting fiasco. NASCAR made the right call, though. The error wasn't in the call itself, it was in the installation of the lights. Busch had won a great battle with Gordon Saturday, and weren't those two, Stewart, and Harvick going to have some fun on Sunday?
Nice touch when Stewart breaks off his interview to congratulate Harvick. It's nice to see that (at least some of) these guys appreciate each other's skill and acknowledge it.
Pooch: R.I.P. Please.
Posted by: Doug | Aug 14, 2006 1:12:38 PM
Not a real big fan of the Lucky Dog, unless of course its for my favorite driver. However, its nice to have those single file restarts on the road course, with the lap down guys at the back. Otherwise, you would need the double file restarts to make things fair. Otherwise, how could a driver race his way back on the lead lap.
Posted by: jeff | Aug 14, 2006 5:22:12 PM
328:
I read an article some months back that Ray announced that he and his wife had "gone their separate ways" a year ago. She had filed for divorce. No mention of Crocker.
Posted by: Mims | Aug 14, 2006 5:54:15 PM
Can anyone say..Chad Macumbee???Yes..Chevy's Development driver and the guy who portrayed dale Jr. on the movie "3" qualified on the outside pole and earned a 7th place finish...great!!!..He got a new sponser and a new crew cheif over there at Green light racing..Look for him to be in the busch series next year...When it is your year..it is your year..Benson has three wins this year which is awsome for that team...Bill Davis has three trucks running this year..#5, 23, and the 22 truck with Bill Lester..and they are done great...Told ya'll..Erin Croker is getting an unfair shake...I do not understand it...She wins one world of outlaws race and the world catches on fire...I'm sorry...it irks me when more talented people get looked over because of the other person's race..gender..ethnic background...looks..etc..Put anyone else in that #98 truck..or that busch car and see them excell..Sarah Fisher is a prime example..RCR claims that they can not find sponership for her to run in the West series...Why don't he bring her to the east coast, put her in a couple races with realtree(longtime RCR sponser) and get her some real seat time...Damn I wish I was an owner...I am all for diversity in auto racing..Danica Patrick...Erin Crocker..Sarah Fisher..Alison Duncun..the force sisters...But I think a person should not be passed over for any reason other then their talent level does not permit them to drive on a competitive level...Atleast Danica does qualify well sometimes and finishes in the top 10...I have one more pund too...NASCAR put on this big show about Bill Lester comteting in a cup race..He is like 44 years old...way past his prime..but since he is african american then it is a big deal (I am african american too). There is younger talent out there that can drive the wheels off a race car...my point is this...Over hype a driver that is worth the hype..because when the person pans out to be sub-par...it makes the publisher look pretty stupid...
Posted by: whyme? | Aug 14, 2006 7:20:15 PM
Jeff,
Wouldn't the double files add to the excitement? If Busch's car was good enough for 9th place you'd think he might have been able to earn at least a few laps back. I guess we'll never know since the lucky dog also puts him at the back of the pack on a road course and it will never happen.
1 Lap down cars only
No consecutive LD's
2 per race
Posted by: Keith | Aug 16, 2006 9:37:10 AM
Hey guys I had another epiphany! Lets just say...get RID of the lucky dog...lets just say. If you go a lap or better, make it up the old fashion way, YOU EARN IT!...Class?...class?...Bueller?
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Aug 16, 2006 6:09:17 PM
#5,
I hate when you drink before posting...unless of course you have asked me over.
NASCAR rules seem inviolate, irrevokable, written in stone...LOL of course thats until they apply them. I am amazed NASCAR made a Black/White decision (after thinking a bit). It was the right call on Kurt...The light and line were set up wrong. But that was the same for all. We should applaud the distinct call and hope NASCAR can carry it to other venues.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 16, 2006 8:25:37 PM
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