Michigan’s all you can eat buffet

By Mike Harper

Entering the gates at Michigan International Speedway this past weekend was different from other times in the past. The crowd, sites and sounds were filled with its regular excitement about the weekend’s events, but I found the atmosphere and pressure to be different in the garage and media centers.

With the implementation of the chase for the championship, combined with an earlier start to Silly Season, all parties including drivers, owners, teams and media are feeling the highest levels of pressure to perform.

The number of stories the media were watching from Michigan reminded me of an all you could eat buffet. As soon as you were done with one story, there was another scoop to be added to your plate. From ARCA to Nextel Cup, there wasn’t a shortage of stories and unfortunately no time to hit the ice cream bar.

First day on the job

Prior to Cup qualifying, the No. 38 and No. 19 teams were in line to go through inspection. The thing that stood out in my mind was the No. 19 team members had smiles on their faces, while the No. 38 team members didn’t. It was odd, but explainable. I observed both teams throughout the day and if a prize could be given to the happiest team in the garage, it would go to the new No. 19 team of Elliott Sadler.

ARCA excitement

Frank Kimmel came into Michigan with a point’s lead of 35 over Bobby Gerhart. However, after Kimmel’s incident with TJ Bell in the closing laps of the Hantz Group 200, Kimmel and Gerhart left MIS tied with the point’s lead.

TJ Bell replaced Ken Weaver in the No. 20 Eddie Sharp Racing Dodge and came very close to winning the event. Steve Wallace added some spice to the event even after he drove his RWI Dodge behind wall and into the garage.

After MIS, ARCA raced again on Sunday on the dirt track in Springfield, IL. Congratulations to Justin Allgaier for his first ARCA win. ARCA and SPEED really need to rethink their television schedule and add this one to the broadcast line-up. Cup cars on dirt sounds like good TV to me!

Junior and Cousin Carl

Carl Edwards found himself at odds with another Chevrolet driver during the Busch Series race at MIS. Dale Earnhardt Jr. punted Edwards on the last lap of the event to go on to win the Carfax 250. Much to everyone’s surprise, the MIS crowd booed Junior for his bump, spin and win on Edwards. In my opinion, it was hard-core racing and if Junior or any other driver wants to win a race that way – so be it. But if you beat someone that way, don’t complain when you get beat that way.

Regarding Edwards, during the cool down lap he drove off pit road and ran into the side of Junior. Then Edwards made his way to Victory Lane to share some heated words with Junior.

I must agree with Kenny Wallace. When the eventual winner of the race dumps a driver to win, the driver that got dumped should keep his mouth shut and move on. Don’t ever go into Victory Lane to confront the winner. Just say what you need to say on camera and move on. A time will come in the near future where payback can be delivered. Speaking of payback, Junior mentioned Atlanta 2004 (Edwards dumped Junior) after he won at MIS. So maybe this incident at MIS was an actual payback compliments of Dale Junior.

Evernham and Crocker sitting in a tree?

Is that too personal? Just asking. On pit road during Cup qualifying, Ray Evernham and Erin Crocker were standing next to each other near the No. 9 Dodge. It was humorous to watch the photographers react to this situation. With reports of their "personal relationship" making headlines, it was easy to tell which photographers struggled with the temptation of taking a shot of them together. When one got brave, they snapped the picture and moved right along rather quickly. Heck, just for fun I raised my camera and took a shot. After a good old stare down from Evernham, I nodded as a way to say thanks and went about my business.

Sponsorship hunt

Did you hear Kenny Wallace needs a sponsor for 2007? If you haven’t, you will.

What about the No. 6 AAA Ford in 2007?

During the post race news conference at MIS, Jack Roush said that Mark Martin could be back in the No. 6 next season. Reports have Roush not happy with upcoming driver Todd Kluever who is set to take over for Martin next season. Roush said Kluever could run less than 36 races next season or he could put another rookie in the car. In my opinion, this is a notice to Kluever to shape up or ship out buddy!

Thoughts from MIS

Dale Jarrett and Ryan Newman seemed to be very relaxed. It was nice to see these two guys with smiles on their faces and honestly I believe it’s because they have no racing worries at this point of the season.

On Friday, Scott Wimmer looked to have the world on his shoulders. I will be up front and honest about my feelings towards Wimmer. I was very tough on Wimmer a few years back when he was busted for DUI. But since that time, the guy has impressed me. He’s worked hard, stayed clean and does all he can for his family. Wimmer has had horrible equipment since his first day at the Cup level and I personally think it’s time for a Cup owner with above average equipment to give him a shot.