Infineon Raceway - Toyota/Save Mart 350
Jess
RESULTS
1. Kyle Busch
5. Casey
12. Dale Jr.
14. Brian
16. Martin
25. Michael
32. Kurt (1 LD)
40. David (ACCIDENT - BLOWN TIRE)
This was a tough race for both the drivers to run and the fans to watch! While road course racing is interesting to view on TV because of all the cars going in different directions, it seems like the commentators have a hard time keeping track of everything besides the first few cars. It's also easy for fans to see dust flying in the background and immediately panic, thinking someone is wrecking! But more often than not it's just a driver getting a tire or two off the course for a moment, and the race goes on.
I'm not also too crazy about races where strategy comes into play more than racing, but that's another story.
How awesome is it that Casey got a top 5?
I'm so proud of him, especially considering he said on This Week in NASCAR's preview that he actually doesn't like Infineon much since he's struggled there. What wasn't so pleasant was Larry McReynolds's comment about how he was hearing Casey was told he wasn't going to be back in the #5 next year! 
Okay, it's not like there hasn't been a hint of that rumor already, but come on, don't rain on his parade! He was doing well, why couldn't he just say that and keep his gossip to himself? 
Lindsay Czarniak asked Casey about the rumor during the post-race show on NASCAR.com (in a tactful way - I like Lindsay) and while he didn't give a definitive answer, you could tell something was up. But more on that in another blog...
Junior, Brian and Martin had decent, rather uneventful races. It looked like Brian struggled at first but then became better as the race progressed.
Michael didn't have as good of a day as I had hoped, but it was good enough for him to not only stay in the top 35 but gain points on 36th!
That's always a good thing! I listened to his radio after David was out of the race and he said at the end that the car was "racy". Yay! It's better than "the worst car I've ever driven" and "this is embarrassing"! 
Poor David, this was probably the worst race of the season for him and the UPS boys.
The first thing I noticed was that there was a new voice on the radio - Chris Cook. He did a great job coaching David and telling him how to improve his turns, and I really loved how he would praise David every time his lap times got better. Despite his encouraging words, David still struggled to get ahold of this difficult track (and please don't get me started on how he should have already had a race-worth of experience here from last year...hmph 
). With nine laps to go the left-front tire blew out, sending David hard into the tire barrier in turn 8. 
The most important thing is that he was okay, but it was still very frustrating. Thankfully there are only two road races a year and the other one is Watkins Glen, a place where David has some experience.
Kyle Busch, much to everyone's surprise, won. He did a wonderful burnout and bowed to the fans...who cheered like crazy! The guys in the booth remarked about that and sounded pleased, much to my happiness.
#44 Quotes of the Race
(Under the pace laps)
David: "Why's the 55 back here?"
Ryan: "They had to change motors."
Michael: "I didn't want you to be lonely back here!"
(Pause...okay, how often is Michael listening in on their conversations?!)
David (laughing): "That's awful nice of you, Mike! I appreciate it."
Michael: "I came to see you!"
David: "I'd have rather come to see you!"
Ryan: "10-4 guys, you're going the wrong way."
Michael: "We've got all day."
Ryan: "10-4, just keep the splitters and all major parts on 'em, guys, and we'll have a good day."
POINT STANDINGS
1. Kyle Busch
3. Dale Jr. -152
15. Brian -620
17. Martin -623
22. Kurt -804
24. Casey -902
28. David -1018 (29th in owner points, +88 from 36th)
30. Michael -1157 (32nd in owner points, +43 from 36th)
1. Kyle Busch
5. Casey
12. Dale Jr.
14. Brian
16. Martin
25. Michael
32. Kurt (1 LD)
40. David (ACCIDENT - BLOWN TIRE)
This was a tough race for both the drivers to run and the fans to watch! While road course racing is interesting to view on TV because of all the cars going in different directions, it seems like the commentators have a hard time keeping track of everything besides the first few cars. It's also easy for fans to see dust flying in the background and immediately panic, thinking someone is wrecking! But more often than not it's just a driver getting a tire or two off the course for a moment, and the race goes on.
I'm not also too crazy about races where strategy comes into play more than racing, but that's another story.
How awesome is it that Casey got a top 5?
I'm so proud of him, especially considering he said on This Week in NASCAR's preview that he actually doesn't like Infineon much since he's struggled there. What wasn't so pleasant was Larry McReynolds's comment about how he was hearing Casey was told he wasn't going to be back in the #5 next year! Okay, it's not like there hasn't been a hint of that rumor already, but come on, don't rain on his parade! He was doing well, why couldn't he just say that and keep his gossip to himself? Lindsay Czarniak asked Casey about the rumor during the post-race show on NASCAR.com (in a tactful way - I like Lindsay) and while he didn't give a definitive answer, you could tell something was up. But more on that in another blog...Junior, Brian and Martin had decent, rather uneventful races. It looked like Brian struggled at first but then became better as the race progressed.
Michael didn't have as good of a day as I had hoped, but it was good enough for him to not only stay in the top 35 but gain points on 36th!
That's always a good thing! I listened to his radio after David was out of the race and he said at the end that the car was "racy". Yay! It's better than "the worst car I've ever driven" and "this is embarrassing"! Poor David, this was probably the worst race of the season for him and the UPS boys.
The first thing I noticed was that there was a new voice on the radio - Chris Cook. He did a great job coaching David and telling him how to improve his turns, and I really loved how he would praise David every time his lap times got better. Despite his encouraging words, David still struggled to get ahold of this difficult track (and please don't get me started on how he should have already had a race-worth of experience here from last year...hmph ). With nine laps to go the left-front tire blew out, sending David hard into the tire barrier in turn 8. The most important thing is that he was okay, but it was still very frustrating. Thankfully there are only two road races a year and the other one is Watkins Glen, a place where David has some experience.Kyle Busch, much to everyone's surprise, won. He did a wonderful burnout and bowed to the fans...who cheered like crazy! The guys in the booth remarked about that and sounded pleased, much to my happiness.
#44 Quotes of the Race
(Under the pace laps)
David: "Why's the 55 back here?"
Ryan: "They had to change motors."
Michael: "I didn't want you to be lonely back here!"
(Pause...okay, how often is Michael listening in on their conversations?!
)David (laughing): "That's awful nice of you, Mike! I appreciate it."
Michael: "I came to see you!"
David: "I'd have rather come to see you!"
Ryan: "10-4 guys, you're going the wrong way."
Michael: "We've got all day."
Ryan: "10-4, just keep the splitters and all major parts on 'em, guys, and we'll have a good day."
POINT STANDINGS
1. Kyle Busch
3. Dale Jr. -152
15. Brian -620
17. Martin -623
22. Kurt -804
24. Casey -902
28. David -1018 (29th in owner points, +88 from 36th)
30. Michael -1157 (32nd in owner points, +43 from 36th)
