Much has changed since the NASCAR tour raced in the shadows of the headquarters of the auto industry. A year ago General Motors and Chrysler were in a downfall but are now essentially government owned operations. Pontiac, a brand name securing two NASCAR championships, one for Tony Stewart one for Bobby Labonte for Joe Gibbs racing, is gone. Ford announced the end of the line for Mercury, once a major name in NASCAR including the famous #21 car from the “legendary” Wood Brothers. Toyota has been beset with controversy over the accelerator recall issue. A new leaner GM and Ford soldier on. Chrysler still is looking for its turnaround. Toyota is no longer the darling of the industry albeit a Japanese name.
Meanwhile, Chevrolet (they no longer want employees to call them Chevy), Dodge, and Toyota all have bragging rights for success in the 2010 Sprint Cup season. Ford’s season even with the addition of four cars for Richard Petty Racing has been nothing short of a disaster even with Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle looking like solid chase contenders. The victory drought for blue ovals keeps growing longer.
The roll of family came up in the tantrum young Joey Logano threw for being victimized by some tough racing late in the race at the hands of Kevin Harvick. Clearly, Kevin Harvick is the kind of racer who will give no benefit to a young driver. Logano must learn how to fend for himself. For a fellow who is often so polite and quick to brush off his rough encounters on the track, perhaps it was a sign of growth for Logano to blow his stack. Yes, the kid has passion, so much for the “white bread” reputation.
What was awkward and probably intolerable was the role that Tom Logano, Joey’s dad played stirring up the flames when Joey got out of his car. In Logano’s tirade, he took a swipe at Harvick that will clearly backfire. His comment about how Harvick’s wife DeLana wears the pants for that race team would quickly give the market savvy Harvicks’ something they could exploit including a fresh run of T-shirts for lady fans which say, “I wear the fire suit of the family.”
Nothing bad came from Sunday’s episode. It’s all a part of what passionate racing is all about. Things might be tougher in the Richard Petty garage where the dispute is between Kasey Kahne and A.J. Allmendinger.
Kurt Busch continues to make himself a big part of the 2010 season as the action heats up and sits on the pole for Sunday’s race with Daytona 500 winner, Jamie McMurray, sitting on the outside poll. The second row puts Jimmie Johnson in third and a Ford with the new FR9 engine, Kasey Kahne in 4th.
The FR9 factor shows some influence on the race’s lineup, but clearly qualifying remains a challenge for the Roush/Fenway racers.
Petty/Roush Positions
1- Kasey Kahne (4)
2- Elliott Sadler (11)
3- David Ragan (14)
4- Greg Biffle (16)
5- Carl Edwards (19)
6- Paul Menard (21)
7- A.J. Allmendinger (26)
8- Matt Kenseth (39)
Meanwhile, part-timer, Bill Elliot starts 28th for the “legendary” Wood Brothers.
Three teams did not make the show, all of whom are “start and park” entries, Dave Blaney and Michael Waltrip for Prism Motorsports and Johnny Sauter for Tommy Baldwin.
Sunday’s weather should be hot near 85o in what is often a race largely determined by fuel conservation.
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