Another boring “race’ from NASCAR. I appreciate the concept of 600 miles to test the endurance of both car and driver, BUT that was about the highlight of this race. Which with all the cars having no personality, of their own, (rules require all cars look alike, and run same equipment), leave little to the test of car endurance. Only a “freakish” part malfunction, usually will retire a car from the endurance end. And YES sportsfans, NASCAR, had a rare chance to give Earnhardt Jr. a long awaited win. It amazes me how often they will try this. Remember when all the drivers were being penalized for dropping a wheel below the yellow line and complete a pass? Except for Jr. There was clearly room for him to stay above the line, but he had all 4 wheels below it. NASCAR ruled he was below to avoid an accident. RIIGGHT! This time Jr. had a lead and looked like he could win a race. BUT! A crash which in any other circumstance would bring out the YELLOW, NASCAR chose not to. Why Jr. had a chance to win. I realize his riding on his father’s name has launched him into the FANS FAVORITE. I have nothing against him I kind of like him too. He just hasn’t matured as a driver yet, but is well on his way. I think getting away from Earnhardt Racing was a good move for him to try to step out of his Father’s shadow. I’ve seen a lot of improvement this year. His time will come. He will “EARN..” his own wins. I think if you have a rule it should be interpreted the same with no regard as to whom it may affect. Any how Jr. still did not get the win. So considering the rule for the yellow flag is for safety purposes, why did NASCAR decide to put that aside for this instance. One train of thought I had. Asks, if they did throw the YELLOW, as they should have and would have in any other set of circumstances, in NASCAR’s defense. I’m going pretty far out here for this defense. How many cars would have been able to finish if there were another GREEN, WHITE, CHECKER. We know that there were cars running short of gas. So did NASCAR not throw the Yellow, in the interest of the fans seeing more cars finish? Or to aid Jr. That Is How I See It. have been Views: 207
Tag: Yellow Flag
INDY 500 2011
Indy 500 was filled with controversy this year. One item on the controversy agenda was….DOUBLE CAR RESTART. Never having raced at the track, I see nothing wrong with a double row restart, after all the official start has them racing 3 abreast. So what is the big deal restarting with one less row? Seems to me you have more room than at the start of the race. Safety wise I see no harm here, except in the case of late race restarts, which would be safe except for the “I have to make a move now or else,” mentality of the driver, who is pressured by himself, his team, sponsors, and fans to finish the best he can. Preferably 1st. From the driver’s standpoint. Why should someone I passed be starting beside me. Actually, that is the only valid argument I can find. True INDY is a one groove track. But as my Dad would have told me. “Find a way to use the rest of the track”. I’ve never seen it in the rules, but doesn’t the lead car have the choice of his racing line for the restart. He can use that to his ability, and be in the groove for the restart. Back to the Car I Passed, scenario. If I am above the groove, then the cars in the line behind the leader has an advantage. From the Fans standpoint. I like it. Controversy number 2. The purchase of a ride by Michael Andretti from A.J. Foyt. If Andretti could not field a car capable of qualifying with Hunter-Reay, why should he be allowed to purchase a ride qualified by an obviously (by means of qualifying), better driver. I wonder if A.J. sort of choked when he talked about how INDY had made him. He sold Junqueria’s chance to make his name. Controversy number 3. THE PASS UNDER YELLOW! Yes. Hildebrand crashed. HOWEVER he did maintain forward motion. As the leader it is up to him to set the pace until the pace car arrives. Apparently this rule does not apply in all instances. The new track management seems to have deemed a disabled car cannot lead the race. How many times I wonder have cars either ran out of gas and coasted to a win. Or crashed just as they were about to cross the finish line. This seems to me to be a rule that needs more definition. As for me. Hildebrand is the true winner of the 2011 INDY 500 I’m sure you all have opinions on these 3 things. I invite you to post your comments here, and also let the people running the INDY 500 if they made the right calls. That Is How I See It. Views: 232
