Sprint Cup 2011: Race 22 -- Road Wars at the Glen

The Sprint Cup tour lands in upstate New York for their second road race of the year at Watkins Glen. Between the Brickyard and Richmond, this is one of the events during the real final drive for inclusion in The Chase which can really shake up the standings. Some drivers skillful at road racing will attempt to capitalize on the chance. Others will try to hold their own and not do any damage. Some significant rides also often have a damaging afternoon. Looking at the top starters, one can immediately see how road racing highlights the skill sets of some particular drivers, some of whom really need a break to have something to hang on as a legitimate accomplishment for the 2011 season. Here are the top starters:

1- Kyle Busch, #18, Toyota
2- A.J. Allmendinger, #43, Ford
3- Marcos Ambrose, #9, Ford
4- Jimmie Johnson, #48, Chevrolet
5- Juan Montoya, #42, Chevrolet
6- Ryan Newman, #39, Chevrolet
7- Tony Stewart, #14, Chevrolet
8- Carl Edwards, #99, Ford
9- Martin Truex Jr., #56, Toyota
10- Regan Smith, #78, Chevrolet
11- Bobby Labonte, #47, Toyota
12- Brad Keselowski, #2, Dodge
13- Joey Logano, #20, Toyota
14- Jamie McMurray, #1, Chevrolet
15- Boris Said, #9,

Chevrolet No doubt Richard Petty’s drivers starting 2nd and 3rd will want to hustle for being in position to win. Marcose Ambrose will never live down his error that robbed him of a win at Infineon unless he does win a road course win. The drivers starting sixth and seventh particularly seventh need a good showing to help nail down their chase possibilities. 2011 has been a dreadful season for Tony Stewart who could miss the chase without some substantial improvement. Surely, as long as he can stay in the top 20, Brad Keselowski has one of the wild card spots nailed. The drivers at the bottom of the top ten without a win are very vulnerable. Stewart’s teammate Ryan Newman has a win to enhance his prospects.

Road Races often see the contemptuous slugs attempting to complete much of the race. At this point in the season where they’ve have trashed their reputations and interfered with legitimate competition hardly makes it matter what they do, but the longer they are on the track the more likely they might be involved in an incident no mater how much they pussy foot their way around the track. That Joe Nemechek the most persistent freeloader starts 21st puts more than half the field behind him with the 87 car serving as a needless obstruction. These bumbling boobs are ripping off millions in purse money for not competing – certainly one of the most puzzling and disturbing curiosities in contemporary sports today. NASCAR must address the situation. Fans will not care if the starting field is significantly reduced and having entries all committed to competition could markedly improve the sport.


.