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[/media-credit]With this having been the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, there are a number of things I am thankful for. Among them is the track in Talladega, Alabama and a race that lived up to expectations. A race where I watched lap after lap and did not feel compelled to wander away to find a ball game of some sort to break the monotony.
The sweeping camera angles as the cars flashed by going nose to tail at high speeds. No way on God’s green earth could we find ourselves heading down a local through-fare with that much trust in those idiots around us, never mind there was not a brake light to be found between them. Even if there were, it would only indicate an impact was probably forthcoming in the next split second.
I like to think that I am a pretty good driver, but I know that running even at close quarters at Richmond or Martinsville would be more than I could handle. What Talladega does is it brings that reality in no uncertain terms to the television audience. We ride with the boys on the seat of our pants while sitting in our favorite chair at home, knowing that even the slightest miscue could take out half the field. If only they could find the camera angles, to discover the shots, that could bring it home to us from all the tracks and not just the super speedways. That would be something.
We got a three car wreck early, just to remind us that these gents are just fooling around early. Carl Edwards went from minding his own business to riding around in a junker as even Landon Cassill drove away from him.
We got Kurt Busch losing power, finding the fence, and just when he has emergency crews leaning in his windows, a bag of their gear atop the car, and even with his own helmet off, Busch fires it up and droves off. NASCAR parked him for his recklessness, but he then proceeds to do all the right things, thanking his crew, giving them hugs, talking sweetly to the cameras. You want to like the guy, but he had just done something stupid, endangering others. Busch finished 39th, the guy he replaces next week in the Furniture Row entry was 5th. At least, I think NASCAR will still let him race next week.
We watched the tight, high speed action. We saw some incredible saves. We also saw one hell of a mess when Michael Waltrip got pushed into Tony Stewart on the final lap, and discovered once again why none of these cars have collision insurance. Matt Kenseth took his little pink car to the winner’s circle, yet sits 12th in the Chase more than 60 points behind Brad Keselowski, who was 7th. Jimmie Johnson is 14 points back, the only guy within 20 of the leader, and he finished 17th in a smoking heap of metal.
I admit, Talladega spoils me, as does Daytona, yet we also have Bristol and Charlotte to usually provide us with a great level of televised excitement. Next weekend, they return home, to the home of the World 600, home of the All-Star race, and home to this Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 in Charlotte, North Carolina. As for the Chase, even with six to go it is all but over unless, or until, Mr. Keselowski has himself a bad day.
Finally, there are those who claim that Talladega is not racing. Maybe they are right, just like the forward pass is not true football or home runs have no place in baseball. However, I know what I like. I watched each and every lap on Sunday. I just wish more televised races caused me, and you, to do the same. Enjoy the week.
