It has been a couple weeks since you’ve heard from me due to my boycott of having to watch two races at Pocono each year. Much to my surprise, and a surprise to many, the race from the tricky triangle actually contained some action…
Amidst the controversies on pit road, the games being played in regards to fuel strategy, and the uncertainty the new surface would carry with it, I actually enjoyed watching the race from Pocono last weekend. Being just a short three and-a-half hour jaunt down to Pocono International Raceway, from my hometown near Syracuse, New York, you would think the tricky triangle would be on my list of most-visited NASCAR venues. WRONG – I have made only one trip to the track in the Poconos, a trip I cannot post the details of here.
I was happy I was able to watch the first race on the new surface at the tricky triangle, and am happy to see the race finally entail some side-by-side action for more than just the caution laps. As a result of last Sunday’s race in Pennsylvania, I am rescinding my boycott and will complete my column for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ second visit to Pocono on August 5th.
Dover Recap
I will not bore you to death this week with my recap of two weeks ago but thought I would mention that my picks were not very impressive yet again here in 2012. I picked “Concrete Carl” two weeks ago to win the FedEx 400, a pick that seemed good at the start, but turned sour just past the ¼ way mark. It was tire issues that sent Edwards into the outside wall on lap 164, paving the way for his 26th place finish.
It was the hometown guy, Martin Truex Jr. who was my hope for a win two weeks ago in the first state. After starting 18th, Truex climbed into the top 10 just before the halfway mark, and reached a race-high 7th. He would move no further and finish 7th at the Monster Mile, netting me a much-needed top 10.
Michigan Picks
Since it is Father’s Day this weekend, I feel obligated to share my thoughts on the guy who is responsible for my addition to racing, my dad. He’s the guy that spent his weeknights fixing broken heim joints, repairing bent roll cages, and cleaning carburetors all in an effort to put my brother and I atop the standings in the Jr. Honda and (HEAVY) Mod classes. Each time I travel past the .25-mile track on the grounds of the New York State Fair, it brings me back to my days of waiving ‘Hi’ to my grandmother just before the Novice feature on Friday night. It was those long Friday nights at the famed quarter-midget track in Central New York that have made me into the motor-head I am today. So here’s to you Dad for all those years of wrenching on twisted equipment!
So we visit our second track in as many weeks to receive a facelift since the last races at each facility last season, and again this week, the festivities have begun with a day of testing the new surface. Testing on Thursday was not enough for NASCAR, Goodyear, or teams to be comfortable enough with the tires to attack the Quicken Loans 400. NASCAR and Goodyear have added a practice session for this evening to give teams and drivers a chance to get a feel for the new tires brought to Michigan as a result of the blistering speeds posted this week. Nobody knows what the new tires will do to the cars and how they have been handling this week, so the start of Sunday’s race should be fairly interesting.
Winner Pick
This week, I’m going with a guy who is yet to visit Victory Lane this season, but has finished twice in the spring portion of the 2012 Sprint Cup schedule. Kevin Harvick has won just once at Michigan International Speedway, and has struggled finding his groove in the shadows of the Motor City. He has finished in the top 5 in all but one of the four practice sessions thus far and has shined at MIS. Watch for Harvick to win one for baby Otis this week.
Dark Horse Pick
Why not go with a guy used to the blistering speeds we’ve seen so far this week in Michigan? Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the guys in the field who is used to averaging speeds over 200 mph. His best finish at Michigan (6th) came in the 2009 season, so this one might be a little far-fetched. Plan on him being in my column next week, but I will feel a little more confident in picking him at Infineon, rather than on the oval in Michigan.
That’s all for this week so until we hit the road course…You Stay Classy NASCAR NATION!
Kudos!
Glad those countless hours at the track and in the garage bring back memories. I know they do for me :)