California Speedway - Auto Club 500
Danni
RESULTS
1. Carl Edwards
6. Martin
11. Brian
13. Kurt
23. David - 1 lap down
28. Michael - 2LD
33. DJ - 3LD
40. Dale Jr. - 47LD
42. Casey - OUT
It was a few hours late, but the Cup race did occur on Sunday - part of it, anyway. It was obvious that the drivers were anxious to get going. By the time the field hit the track for pace laps, the sun was shining but not everything turned out so great.
Things got off to a rough start when Michael's car began spurting oil all over the asphalt after a line came loose. His car sat on pit road with the crew crowding around it. It was pretty depressing and I thought of all those pace laps ticking away. However, several minutes later it was stated that those laps didn't count since the race hadn't even commenced.
That made me feel better, but it sure didn't put Michael in the best of moods.
When the green fell, Jeff Gordon snatched the lead and checked out. Fourteen laps later, Denny Hamlin careened sharply into the wall. At first it was reported that he blew a tire, but then in the garage he claimed that he had hit a wet spot and lost control. Despite the track being dry at the start, water was weeping in from underneath through the seams in the pavement. And Denny wouldn't be its most unfortunate victim.
A handful of laps later, a horrific wreck that has so become Califronia happened involving two of our drivers. Casey hit a weeper and went along for a wild ride up the track, into the wall and unluckily slid back down the banking just in time to clip Dale Jr. The impact ripped the 88's right side off and he spun along the backstretch. Meanwhile, Casey grated against the wall, probably thinking it was all over. It would have been, except for the witless antics of a driver who caused us some irritation last weekend.
Sam Hornish Jr. clearly needs a lot more practice on the brakes. He was in Turn 1 when the crash started and still ended up making it worse. While everyone slowed down, he barreled into the melee and slammed into the back of Reed Sorenson, sending him flying. Then he shot along the wall and hurtled straight into the back of Casey's car.
Now, the first live view of this entire fiasco was looking back from the middle of the backstretch. At the time, I had my eyes on Casey's car, then all of a sudden I found myself staring at his roof. Hornish hit him so hard that the 5 car flipped over onto its top and had enough momentum that it tilted some more until it was sitting sideways on the right side. I couldn't freaking believe it.
It gets worse! Hornish's exposed engine burst into flames. I guess if there was anything good about the speed that he carried, it was that the 5 car on its side and not laying upside down on the 77's hood. Of course, fire is frightening no matter where you are in the car. Casey's window net was thrown out but I knew it would take him a while to get out since he'd have to climb vertically, plus he'd have no choice but to jump into the fire. Panicking, I suddenly saw a NASCAR official running toward the wreckage. This man, bless his brave heart, leaped onto Hornish's hood regardless of the fire and got to Casey's window to help him get out. I was just floored by this act of complete selflessness. The guy showed no concern for his own safety. I mean, he could have waited for the extinguishers... but he didn't. I want to know his name. I'm also upset he got no recognition for what he did on the broadcast.
The fire crew eventually came and put out the flames. Casey was gradually helped from his car during the red flag. Thankfully, he was okay - probably shaken up and disappointed, but okay. But it does hurt. This was his second DNF in a row and it dropped him well below the point of comfort in the standings.
Eventually the track was cleaned up and the race went back underway. However, it was marred by intermittent rain and a handful of flat tires. Not everything was going badly, though. David was charging through the field like nothing I've ever seen from that team before! On Lap 78, the 00 cracked the top-10 and continued moving forward. A few laps later, it started raining again. The red flag came out. Despite NASCAR trying their best to dry the track, the moisture in the air prevented the track surface from cooperating and the race was delayed until the next day.
Monday dawned sunny and dry - a good thing. But there was a downside, especially in David's case. Conditions bascially did a complete flip from the night before and altered the way many cars drove. By the time we got home from college, David was struggling. To make things worse, the race adopted a long green flag trend, which trapped cars a lap or more down. Kurt even ran out of fuel during a green pit stop and had to coast to his stall!
Unfortunately for Michael, the sunshine didn't shed any light onto the 55 team. On Lap 150, he lost control and backed it into Turn 2. Several laps later, DJ cut down the outer liner of his right rear tire and skimmed the wall. At this point, David was having no fun with the car's poor handling after an overadjustment. Ugh! It wasn't looking good for MWR!
Afterwards, the race was predominantly green, with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards appearing to be the guys contending for the win. Martin was running fine and some pit strategy had Brian cruising happily in the top-15. Kurt was gaining back spots he had lost when he ran out of gas.
A caution came out on Lap 219, giving David's team another chance to make a change to the car. And a change they made! When the green dropped, David shot himself out of a cannon and easily put himself in position to get the Lucky Dog for the Aaron's Lucky Dog Dream Machine! It would have been a dream come true for sure, but the yellow fell too late. DJ wrecked with one to go and since the white flag was already out, a green-white-checkers was dismissed.
Of course, David had been ripping off awesome laps that averaged third of everyone on the track!! He was running faster than the leaders at some points! At the end of the race, I didn't know whether to feel exhalted or dejected. I was amazed at those lap times but just so disappointed he never got the free pass to show the field what he had! But... I guess 23rd with a car that had more in it is better than sitting in 10th and getting caught up in a crash that destroys a good car. On to Vegas with a skip in your steps, 00 team!
I was pretty upset with the way Michael and DJ's day went. Two wrecks and a flat tire. At least DJ stayed out to lead a lap, but I'm starting to get nervous about either of them making to top-35 in points by Bristol.
Martin's good finish relieved me. I was apprehensive that he wouldn't run well after Junior left - not because the 1 team is weak, but because DEI is. Daytona wasn't kind to him, so I feared his struggles would spill over to California. I was happy to be proven wrong!
In spite of everyone moaning about the New Car, the racing was much improved, with plenty of lead changes and side-by-side action. It still had a tendency to get strung out, but that often happens on big tracks. Seeing Carl win was fine with me - a rarer face than Jeff and Jimmie (no offense to either of them!).
00 Quotes of the Race:
Ryan Pemberton (during a caution): "And it looks like it's going to rain. The wind is picking up and I'm getting cold. Somebody gives me a wrap or something to wrap up in."
Crew member: "How 'bout just a hug?"
Ryan: "Ten-four, yeah. Maybe a hug - a group hug would be good!"
POINT STANDINGS
1. Kyle Busch
4. Kurt -36
11. Brian -78
12. Martin -82
18. David -132
23. Dale Jr. -149
25. DJ -151
29. Michael -175
42. Casey -240
I'd like to send our love and thoughts to Michael's sister, Connie. She lost her son, Jason. Condolences to the family and friends.
1. Carl Edwards
6. Martin
11. Brian
13. Kurt
23. David - 1 lap down
28. Michael - 2LD
33. DJ - 3LD
40. Dale Jr. - 47LD
42. Casey - OUT
It was a few hours late, but the Cup race did occur on Sunday - part of it, anyway. It was obvious that the drivers were anxious to get going. By the time the field hit the track for pace laps, the sun was shining but not everything turned out so great.
Things got off to a rough start when Michael's car began spurting oil all over the asphalt after a line came loose. His car sat on pit road with the crew crowding around it. It was pretty depressing and I thought of all those pace laps ticking away. However, several minutes later it was stated that those laps didn't count since the race hadn't even commenced.
That made me feel better, but it sure didn't put Michael in the best of moods.When the green fell, Jeff Gordon snatched the lead and checked out. Fourteen laps later, Denny Hamlin careened sharply into the wall. At first it was reported that he blew a tire, but then in the garage he claimed that he had hit a wet spot and lost control. Despite the track being dry at the start, water was weeping in from underneath through the seams in the pavement. And Denny wouldn't be its most unfortunate victim.
A handful of laps later, a horrific wreck that has so become Califronia happened involving two of our drivers. Casey hit a weeper and went along for a wild ride up the track, into the wall and unluckily slid back down the banking just in time to clip Dale Jr. The impact ripped the 88's right side off and he spun along the backstretch. Meanwhile, Casey grated against the wall, probably thinking it was all over. It would have been, except for the witless antics of a driver who caused us some irritation last weekend.
Sam Hornish Jr. clearly needs a lot more practice on the brakes. He was in Turn 1 when the crash started and still ended up making it worse. While everyone slowed down, he barreled into the melee and slammed into the back of Reed Sorenson, sending him flying. Then he shot along the wall and hurtled straight into the back of Casey's car.
Now, the first live view of this entire fiasco was looking back from the middle of the backstretch. At the time, I had my eyes on Casey's car, then all of a sudden I found myself staring at his roof. Hornish hit him so hard that the 5 car flipped over onto its top and had enough momentum that it tilted some more until it was sitting sideways on the right side. I couldn't freaking believe it.
It gets worse! Hornish's exposed engine burst into flames. I guess if there was anything good about the speed that he carried, it was that the 5 car on its side and not laying upside down on the 77's hood. Of course, fire is frightening no matter where you are in the car. Casey's window net was thrown out but I knew it would take him a while to get out since he'd have to climb vertically, plus he'd have no choice but to jump into the fire. Panicking, I suddenly saw a NASCAR official running toward the wreckage. This man, bless his brave heart, leaped onto Hornish's hood regardless of the fire and got to Casey's window to help him get out. I was just floored by this act of complete selflessness. The guy showed no concern for his own safety. I mean, he could have waited for the extinguishers... but he didn't. I want to know his name. I'm also upset he got no recognition for what he did on the broadcast.
The fire crew eventually came and put out the flames. Casey was gradually helped from his car during the red flag. Thankfully, he was okay - probably shaken up and disappointed, but okay. But it does hurt. This was his second DNF in a row and it dropped him well below the point of comfort in the standings.
Eventually the track was cleaned up and the race went back underway. However, it was marred by intermittent rain and a handful of flat tires. Not everything was going badly, though. David was charging through the field like nothing I've ever seen from that team before! On Lap 78, the 00 cracked the top-10 and continued moving forward. A few laps later, it started raining again. The red flag came out. Despite NASCAR trying their best to dry the track, the moisture in the air prevented the track surface from cooperating and the race was delayed until the next day.
Monday dawned sunny and dry - a good thing. But there was a downside, especially in David's case. Conditions bascially did a complete flip from the night before and altered the way many cars drove. By the time we got home from college, David was struggling. To make things worse, the race adopted a long green flag trend, which trapped cars a lap or more down. Kurt even ran out of fuel during a green pit stop and had to coast to his stall!
Unfortunately for Michael, the sunshine didn't shed any light onto the 55 team. On Lap 150, he lost control and backed it into Turn 2. Several laps later, DJ cut down the outer liner of his right rear tire and skimmed the wall. At this point, David was having no fun with the car's poor handling after an overadjustment. Ugh! It wasn't looking good for MWR!
Afterwards, the race was predominantly green, with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards appearing to be the guys contending for the win. Martin was running fine and some pit strategy had Brian cruising happily in the top-15. Kurt was gaining back spots he had lost when he ran out of gas.
A caution came out on Lap 219, giving David's team another chance to make a change to the car. And a change they made! When the green dropped, David shot himself out of a cannon and easily put himself in position to get the Lucky Dog for the Aaron's Lucky Dog Dream Machine! It would have been a dream come true for sure, but the yellow fell too late. DJ wrecked with one to go and since the white flag was already out, a green-white-checkers was dismissed.
Of course, David had been ripping off awesome laps that averaged third of everyone on the track!! He was running faster than the leaders at some points! At the end of the race, I didn't know whether to feel exhalted or dejected. I was amazed at those lap times but just so disappointed he never got the free pass to show the field what he had! But... I guess 23rd with a car that had more in it is better than sitting in 10th and getting caught up in a crash that destroys a good car. On to Vegas with a skip in your steps, 00 team!I was pretty upset with the way Michael and DJ's day went. Two wrecks and a flat tire. At least DJ stayed out to lead a lap, but I'm starting to get nervous about either of them making to top-35 in points by Bristol.
Martin's good finish relieved me. I was apprehensive that he wouldn't run well after Junior left - not because the 1 team is weak, but because DEI is. Daytona wasn't kind to him, so I feared his struggles would spill over to California. I was happy to be proven wrong!
In spite of everyone moaning about the New Car, the racing was much improved, with plenty of lead changes and side-by-side action. It still had a tendency to get strung out, but that often happens on big tracks. Seeing Carl win was fine with me - a rarer face than Jeff and Jimmie (no offense to either of them!).
00 Quotes of the Race:
Ryan Pemberton (during a caution): "And it looks like it's going to rain. The wind is picking up and I'm getting cold. Somebody gives me a wrap or something to wrap up in."
Crew member: "How 'bout just a hug?"
Ryan: "Ten-four, yeah. Maybe a hug - a group hug would be good!"
POINT STANDINGS
1. Kyle Busch
4. Kurt -36
11. Brian -78
12. Martin -82
18. David -132
23. Dale Jr. -149
25. DJ -151
29. Michael -175
42. Casey -240
I'd like to send our love and thoughts to Michael's sister, Connie. She lost her son, Jason. Condolences to the family and friends.
