Darlington Raceway - Dodge Charger 500
Danni
RESULTS
1. Kyle Busch
4. Dale Jr.
12. Kurt
14. Martin
19. David
24. Michael (1LD)
25. Brian (1LD)
35. Casey (26LD - ACCIDENT)
It was predicted with good reason that the race would be crash-infested. Several drivers were in backup cars. But in all reality, the night was generally calm. There were plenty of Darlington stripes, but the only two DNFs resulted from engine failures.
Excitement ran high when in the opening laps, Elliott Sadler got loose when he dove under Tony Stewart. Both cars wrecked against the wall. From Sadler's in-car camera, you could see Stewart drive past and give him the thumbs-up. I have to admit, I was impressed with Stewart's behavior - when he can keep his cool about getting wrecked and Michael can't, it's amazing! Actually, Stewart has been acting uncharacteristically happy ever since the rumors began that he may leave JGR. Hmm... it's a little creepy but I'm kind of liking it.
Dale Jr. and Kurt ran up front in the first portion of the race. It was really good to see Kurt in contention! But for a good bit of the race, David was among the fastest on the track - even faster than either Kyle Busch or Greg Biffle when they were leading! There were long green flag runs between cautions that spread things out and put a lot of cars down a lap. David started looking at the top-10 when things went downhill for him.
His koolbox, for at least the second time this year, was blowing hot air on him. With temperatures in the 80s, I can't imagine how bad that must have felt. He began slipping back to around 20th position, obviously suffering. Ryan and Shawn sounded pretty concerned. Debris cautions brought him some relief when the crew gave him water and ice bags, but then he got his microphone wet and sounded like an alien for the remainder of the race! It was funny even though David was awfully hard to understand sometimes. 
When Biffle unexpectedly gave up the lead to head to pit road after wheel problems, Martin led some laps. More green flag stops began and cycled through before Biffle brought out the next caution by leaving debris on the track. In a tale of sad irony, the pole-sitting car finished last after an engine failure. I feel for Greg! I also have a feeling he may be looking elseware in terms of a ride for next year based on some of his comments.
Something strange happened during that caution. The footage was confusing and brief. From looking at race reports, apparently Ryan was having some major mechanical issues (a broken rear end). While Brian was going into pit road, Ryan was told to also pit and swung down, but then was told to get back on track. He swerved to miss the commitment line and tagged Brian.
It just sucked, then sucked moreso when Brian spun out on the track a while later. Not a very fun night for the #83. During that caution, Michael sped on pit road. He was having a better time than usual, but going to the tail-end of the longest line probably hurt.
Several laps later, another of our guys had his race go sour. Casey, running well, hit the wall then cut a tire and was forced to go to the garage for repairs. Ugh! That really marred his points climb.
During the next green run, Kyle Busch showed his true talent. While leading, he hit the wall hard on the backstretch. Sparks flew, the car swerved sharply and I thought for a moment that second-place Dale Jr. would take over the top spot. But man! Kyle kept going like nothing had ever happened!
The final yellow flew when Martin just sort of ran into the back of Denny Hamlin.
I don't know what brought that on but I'm sure Hamlin didn't enjoy it.
The next sixty or so laps went green and Kyle continued his tear. It was awesome to see him win and know all the fans who can't stand Kyle were cringing under his talent!
And you know? Not a whole lot of boos. I think his unpopularity is something only those fans jealous of him make up. I'm sure he probably has a lot of bandwagoners, though!
#44 Quotes of the Race
Ryan's post-race speech!
Ryan: "Nineteeth, man. Sorry, man, nineteenth. I'm gonna get that air conditoning and stuff worked out for you. You did a great job, man, hanging on to it. At any one point in time in the race, man, you looked as good as anybody, so uh, we just gotta work on it a little bit over there, clean up around the rough edges and we'll have good days here shortly."
You tell it!
POINT STANDINGS
1. Kyle Busch
3. Dale Jr. -134
15. Martin -460
17. Brian -529
22. Kurt -618
27. Casey -690
29. David -723 (31st in owner points +67 from 36th)
32. Michael -839 (33rd in OP +45 from 36th)
1. Kyle Busch
4. Dale Jr.
12. Kurt
14. Martin
19. David
24. Michael (1LD)
25. Brian (1LD)
35. Casey (26LD - ACCIDENT)
It was predicted with good reason that the race would be crash-infested. Several drivers were in backup cars. But in all reality, the night was generally calm. There were plenty of Darlington stripes, but the only two DNFs resulted from engine failures.
Excitement ran high when in the opening laps, Elliott Sadler got loose when he dove under Tony Stewart. Both cars wrecked against the wall. From Sadler's in-car camera, you could see Stewart drive past and give him the thumbs-up. I have to admit, I was impressed with Stewart's behavior - when he can keep his cool about getting wrecked and Michael can't, it's amazing! Actually, Stewart has been acting uncharacteristically happy ever since the rumors began that he may leave JGR. Hmm... it's a little creepy but I'm kind of liking it.
Dale Jr. and Kurt ran up front in the first portion of the race. It was really good to see Kurt in contention! But for a good bit of the race, David was among the fastest on the track - even faster than either Kyle Busch or Greg Biffle when they were leading! There were long green flag runs between cautions that spread things out and put a lot of cars down a lap. David started looking at the top-10 when things went downhill for him.
His koolbox, for at least the second time this year, was blowing hot air on him. With temperatures in the 80s, I can't imagine how bad that must have felt. He began slipping back to around 20th position, obviously suffering. Ryan and Shawn sounded pretty concerned. Debris cautions brought him some relief when the crew gave him water and ice bags, but then he got his microphone wet and sounded like an alien for the remainder of the race! It was funny even though David was awfully hard to understand sometimes. When Biffle unexpectedly gave up the lead to head to pit road after wheel problems, Martin led some laps. More green flag stops began and cycled through before Biffle brought out the next caution by leaving debris on the track. In a tale of sad irony, the pole-sitting car finished last after an engine failure. I feel for Greg! I also have a feeling he may be looking elseware in terms of a ride for next year based on some of his comments.
Something strange happened during that caution. The footage was confusing and brief. From looking at race reports, apparently Ryan was having some major mechanical issues (a broken rear end). While Brian was going into pit road, Ryan was told to also pit and swung down, but then was told to get back on track. He swerved to miss the commitment line and tagged Brian.
It just sucked, then sucked moreso when Brian spun out on the track a while later. Not a very fun night for the #83. During that caution, Michael sped on pit road. He was having a better time than usual, but going to the tail-end of the longest line probably hurt.Several laps later, another of our guys had his race go sour. Casey, running well, hit the wall then cut a tire and was forced to go to the garage for repairs. Ugh! That really marred his points climb.
During the next green run, Kyle Busch showed his true talent. While leading, he hit the wall hard on the backstretch. Sparks flew, the car swerved sharply and I thought for a moment that second-place Dale Jr. would take over the top spot. But man! Kyle kept going like nothing had ever happened!
The final yellow flew when Martin just sort of ran into the back of Denny Hamlin.
I don't know what brought that on but I'm sure Hamlin didn't enjoy it.The next sixty or so laps went green and Kyle continued his tear. It was awesome to see him win and know all the fans who can't stand Kyle were cringing under his talent!
And you know? Not a whole lot of boos. I think his unpopularity is something only those fans jealous of him make up. I'm sure he probably has a lot of bandwagoners, though!#44 Quotes of the Race
Ryan's post-race speech!
Ryan: "Nineteeth, man. Sorry, man, nineteenth. I'm gonna get that air conditoning and stuff worked out for you. You did a great job, man, hanging on to it. At any one point in time in the race, man, you looked as good as anybody, so uh, we just gotta work on it a little bit over there, clean up around the rough edges and we'll have good days here shortly."
You tell it!
POINT STANDINGS
1. Kyle Busch
3. Dale Jr. -134
15. Martin -460
17. Brian -529
22. Kurt -618
27. Casey -690
29. David -723 (31st in owner points +67 from 36th)
32. Michael -839 (33rd in OP +45 from 36th)
