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February 26, 2007
King Of The Mountain; Matt Kenseth
By Mark Young
California is in the books and we have another weekend in sweep to talk about. Matt Kenseth won both the Busch race on Saturday night and was clearly the class of the field yesterday in the marathon California 500. Though people are complaining that this was a terrible race I think it was a pretty decent one and Matt's performance this weekend clearly puts him in the throne as King of the mountain.
Though I didn't get all of my predictions right in my fantasy preview from Friday I did nail it by picking Matt to win the race and he did so in dominating fashion without long-time crew chief Robby Riser who was home following his suspension from infractions at Daytona. Matt clearly showed his emotions upon exiting his car in victory lane and those who don't understand why are missing the point because Robby is the only crew chief he has had since joining NASCAR. Kevin Harvick did everything he could to retain his throne but that flat left front tire during the red flag following David Reutimann's nasty crash put an end to his day.
Unless I missed something this weekend there wasn't any other clear-cut candidates to make me question putting Matt on top of the heap. His performance was clearly dominant and taking into consideration that the NEXTEL Cup series is on a one week hiatus he will be on top for at least two weeks.
That's what I think, what say you?
February 26, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Have they found that phantom debri yet? Won't it be nice when we finally have a race that isn't red flagged again?
Posted by: Austin | Feb 26, 2007 4:45:05 AM
Oh don't get me started on that one Austin....too early on a Monday to do that. I got something brewing to discuss that crap.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 26, 2007 5:00:30 AM
Mark,
What race did you watch? If not for the cautions, you'd never have seen 2 cars in the same camera shot. And, as Austin pointed out, if there wasn't a legit caution before they spread out too far, then the phantom debris flag was thrown. If it's big enough to cause a caution, I want to see it.
I'm disputing your King, also. Kenseth wasn't the dominant car. He got position from the pits and clean air wins this snoozer. Harvick had him at the end. My choice is Richard Childress. For the second week in a row he had all 3 teams in the top ten at the end. Only mishaps kept them from finishing that way.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 26, 2007 5:16:26 AM
Ah yes the RCR gang was very strong Keith but the flat tire by Harvick relegated him to 17th.
There was only one caution I could dispute though and it was the last one that very well might have cost Harvick the win. The others were all from accidents or blown enginges, no different than the rest of the tracks we go to. There was plenty of passing as well. I stayed awake for all but 25 laps or so of the race and it wasn't all that bad.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 26, 2007 5:27:33 AM
Mark,
Tire looked like it was a slow leak and he had it won with no red flag. His tire and Bowyer on the roof is all that has marred Childress finishes. The only passes were after cautions and in the pits...They strung out as predicted on the long greens.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 26, 2007 5:37:20 AM
Thank you, Mark! I agree that this was a decent race and begin to wonder what it is that some folks think makes for a good race. Plate racing with packs of 35? Fontana has become a real multi-groove track. The cars DO string out, so when a car begins to advance, like Stewart did at the end, from back in the pack, you can watch his progress as he picks off the cars in front of him one at a time, going from high groove to low groove and back again. I will concede that this isn't great TV racing, but for a fan watching the drivers work their way through a race, it was very entertaining. Watching Harvick move up to challenge Kenseth before the unfortunate red flag was great drama. I'm a Burton fan, and it was terrific watching him move from 21st to 3rd after a pit stop, picking off cars one at a time.
Face it, folks, NASCAR doesn't do 500 laps or miles of side-by-side racing for the lead except in plate racing. At Fontana, it's a chess game played out over 500 miles.
And it strikes me that we're getting a little bit inconsistent when we complain that the cars are too strung out, then complain when a debris caution bunches them up. I don't like debris cautions any more than the next guy, but they do add excitement to a race. Me? I can do without that added excitement if it means real racing.
Posted by: Doug | Feb 26, 2007 7:59:41 AM
Two things:
I remember reading something about California 500 being a snozefest. It was a exciting race. There was a lot of side by side racing and great battles. I didn't lose any interest in the race, other than that crappy Fox 3D thing. I felt race was excellent and the track has improved over last year.(A+) The commentary was OK. I am really tired of the hyped NEW Hollywood Hotel. GIVE IT A REST ALREADY! There were a lot times when they went to Hollywood Hotel that they should have kept the action on the track on the screen. I feel Fox is slipping in their broadcast. Too many toys and not enough play by play.(D) Overall the whole experience was Average(C). The race was great, but the broadcast took too much away from the experience.
In my honest opinion, NASCAR has to insure that the drivers are safe. Enforcing the rules maybe a new thing, but it is about time to keep these drivers safe. I like the red flag because it is way better to have a true race to the finish than one that finish on yellow. Let them race to the finish. I rather never to see another race that ends with the field in caution.
People may gripe about freezing the field when the yellow flag flies.. They aren't the one sitting in the car in middle of the track where car a whizzing by at 150-200 mph. I bet the driver of the Domino's Car is happy that the emergency worker were able to get there quicker now. Not to mention his family, crew, and sponsor are happy that emergency crew can roll as soon as the yellow flies. Does it really effect the outcome of the race? No more than it did before except less people are wrecking racing to the caution.
I may not like the "Lucky Dog" rule. I do understand that for safety reason it was put into effect. Not to mention it is the fair thing to do. The leader would let most drivers get their lap back by slowing down. It wasn't until the "Young Guns" arrived that the leader had to start to race back. You can't blame them taking advantage of the unwritten rule to get the lead. They are young and want to win. NASCAR saw what was happening and stepped in to prevent another death on the tracks.
NASCAR is always in a bad position. If they fly the caution on the last lap of the race, fans would complain about not having a race to the finish. If they don't fly the caution, the fans complain about the rules. Damn if you and damn if you don't type situation here. Do they make mistakes? Of course, on a whole NASCAR have made the drivers safer on the track and in the car. They continued to make efforts to improve driver safety in the car. We should be praising NASCAR for being concerned about this, but they get slammed for it. Does another popular driver have to die in order for fans to understand what NASCAR is trying to do?
My problem with NASCAR is that they don't let drivers be themselves. Tow that NASCAR line. Tony has even been reign in by NASCAR. I want to see the fire in their eyes. I want emotions in their word. I want to hear the anger and disappointment. That is why in 2005 ratings started to drop. NASCAR has policed personality out of their sport. Now, that is the problem that needs to be discussed.
Posted by: WBinCC | Feb 26, 2007 8:15:04 AM
Doug,
Stop drinking when you watch races...LOL J/K. The green flag racing at Fontana is aweful. A chess match? I like nose to tail or at least racing where the camera doesn't always have to zoom out to see the next guy. Harvick at the end was drama and would have improved the grade (when I blog the track) but this race won't make Fontana any more popular with the fans.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 26, 2007 8:18:54 AM
I too liked watching Burton, Smoke, and Harvick fight up through the field after stops. That is why I am scratching my head today. The race is very long and the lack of coverage through the field makes it seem bad but the racing was 3 and 4 wide at times and not just during restarts. The field is ALWAYS going to thin out during long green flag runs and it isn't all because of aero-push. I think this is a result of TV.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 26, 2007 8:35:20 AM
Sometimes I think we get these preconceived ideas (such as, "It's California; therefore, the race will be a bad one") and stick with them regardless of whether they turn out to be accurate or not. Put me among the group that thought this California race was OK -- not great, but not horrible, either. I'm the guy, remember, who doesn't want every race to be special, because then none of them will be. This one was entirely watchable.
Also, from this perspective, the victory belonged to Jimmie Johnson, not Harvick, if not for that final yellow flag. Yes, his crew would've had to have done a better job than they did on the yellow-flag exchange, but he had a 4-second lead when that debris mysteriously appeared. If we're going to play the "what if" game, then I vote for Johnson.
Posted by: David Green | Feb 26, 2007 8:39:06 AM
Well David, I got one for you. What if Tony didn't make that mistake in the pits? He had the car to beat. He races from 26 place to end in 8th in last 79 laps. Makes you think of where would have he finish if he didn't speed leaveing the pits...
Posted by: WBinCC | Feb 26, 2007 8:42:37 AM
Mark, great topic
I watched the race and thught there was some good racing all day.
I am glad David R was not seriously not
injured.
And I agree Matt is KOTM
Posted by: Trucker | Feb 26, 2007 8:51:15 AM
What makes a race on TV great?I'll answer that question.What they choose to show us.That's all we have to go by.I thought the race at Fontana was better than normal.I am not a big fan of that track,even though it is a sister track to Michigan,where the racing is better.
The graphics are getting way out of hand.What was the Fox 3D anyway?
Matt was a good choice for King this week.He was at or near the front all day.He had an almost perfect weekend and there at the last he was the Lone Ranger in that Ford.
Posted by: Short Lady | Feb 26, 2007 9:16:55 AM
Keith, I usually don't drink at Fontana because that means multiple trips down to the rest room, and for an old dude like me, I'll do as few of those hikes as I can! One year my friend and I each smuggled in a six-pack. I think I was up and down about seven times!
Nose-to-nose for the lead is the best there is. We just don't get it all that often and have to enjoy what we do get. Mark, thanks for seeing it that way. And of course it's different seeing it on TV. This may have been a snoozer on the tube, but when you're in the stands and can see the gap closing (especially when the highly visible orange 20 and 31 are involved) it's good racing.
And a bit of heresy from California: I don't think I'd be too dismayed if this were the Auto Club 400. That was a long race. And a complaint: a charming couple of Arizona has seats behind mine and we have enjoyed each other's company at Fontana for ten years now. They are not going to come to more races there because of lack of accomodation for her handicap. They tell me that they e-mailed Gillian Zucker and were told, in essence, "Sorry about that." Dave & Sharon, I hope things work out for you and we see you again.
Posted by: Doug | Feb 26, 2007 9:39:42 AM
Hey Mark,
I can only agree with you on your pick of KOTM. Matt did a great job, both in Busch and in Cup. He deserves it.
Wil
Posted by: Wilinca | Feb 26, 2007 12:26:44 PM
That FOX 3D is probably the worst thing I've ever seen . As far as California goes , it will never be a great race , it's just not going to happen , but it's here to stay so na$car can make more billions of dollars .
Posted by: Eric | Feb 26, 2007 2:03:11 PM
Hey Eric......I will wait until Wednesday to talk about Fox "3D", if you want to call it 3D.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 26, 2007 2:25:06 PM
I think it should be called "Fox's When Video Game Attack 3D". It is just God awful and doesn't really do anything to enhance the race or broadcast.
Posted by: WBinCC | Feb 26, 2007 3:14:49 PM
Hay Mark
Nascar 2007 for my Xbox or your Playstation is better than that.
That is just out right bad!!
Posted by: 31 Fan | Feb 26, 2007 3:52:34 PM
Catching a car is one thing, passing is another. Kennseth led a bunch of laps so he would have to be considered a dominant car. It takes more than a fast car to win anymore. You better have some luck to go with it.
Posted by: jeff | Feb 26, 2007 3:55:19 PM
Jeff,
I agree Matt got his in the pits and Kevin lost his under red. It would have been a fantastic finish had Kevin been able to get there. I'm a 29 fan but I don't think he would have pushed it. I look for the 29 and 17 to be helping each other a bunch this year.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 26, 2007 4:50:04 PM
I think King of the Mountain should be Brian France...and the mountain is all that money h is sitting on after all of the green flag advertising.
Seriously, I agree with some that it wasn't a terrible race. I am definitely on record still saying that I prefer Darlington, but this wasn't a bad one.
I guess I can't dispute a guy who sweeps the weekend as KOTM...but just some other nominees...how about Brian Vickers' crew chief? They didn't do a bad job rebounding after Daytona. Or Junior for that great save and hilarious bow afterward? That was the best laugh I had all day.
Good post Mark.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Feb 26, 2007 6:07:42 PM
Richard Childress for Emperor of the Mountain.
Posted by: Keith | Feb 26, 2007 6:52:05 PM
Kenseth indeed was king this weekend and, as a fan of his, it was awesome to see. I don't see how some are saying that Matt didn't have the dominant car. He came from the back, led the most laps, and won the race. What more can you ask for? I know Harvick may have caught him but them's the breaks. Kenseth should have finished 3rd at Daytona after he pushed Harvick to the win but he didn't. Them's also the breaks. For once, the phantom caution benefitted my driver...I couldn't believe it. Usually its Jimmie who gets caught up or gets the lucky dog with one of those bad boys. I'm just curious how Jimmie got a 2 second lead on Matt after he was 2 seconds behind him on the track before the pits and when Fox showed the side-by-side, it looked like they had identical pit stops. Where did those 4 seconds on pit road go? Hmmmm....
Posted by: choach | Feb 26, 2007 8:08:01 PM
WBinCC has a great point about Stewart. Second race in a row, Smoke has had the dominant car -- or, at Fontana, at least one of the dominant cars.
Which, of course, points out the fallacy of the "what if" game in the first place. As a philosopher once said, "What might have been was."
Posted by: David Green | Feb 27, 2007 4:46:03 AM
I have been watching Nascar for years. I find that no matter what race, people are going to complain. Human nature. I just enjoy the race and think, its fun, enjoy it. If the guy i back wins he is not going to send me a check, so i try to not get too excited or upset. Just enjoy. But with this weekend.. Matt showed he was king for now. Actually i like Harvick. But its all in how much luck you have and where things fall. You get a flat, next week the other guy gets it. Kenseth will have the flat next week or wreck. The difference? He has always showed he bounces right back. Nice consistancy there. Cannot argue with that. The guy won the race because he is good. Its all about how good you are and luck.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 28, 2007 10:00:27 AM
Kenseth is so underrated, he's overrated.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Feb 28, 2007 12:57:02 PM
