Leave it to fuel mileage, and the lack of it, to create one of the best NASCAR races we’ve seen all year. We also got treated to a first time winner in the Camping World Truck series, team mates battling for the win in the Nationwide Series and, oh yes, our favorite “Rowdy” driver took another shot at the Junior Nation. With that thought in mind let’s begin with:
HOORAH for Mark Martin. His level of experience also comes with an abundance of patience. Realizing that he didn’t have enough spare gas to chase down race leaders Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, the 53 year old wily veteran figured the leaders were too low on fuel for the hard racing they were doing in the final laps of the race. He was correct and it was quite a sight to see that Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevrolet charge into the lead on the final lap. He took the lead on fumes and ran out of gas during the cool down lap. It was later revealed that the battery in the car had been dead for the final 100 laps.
HOORAH for Martin’s crew chief Alan Gustafson. He did an outstanding job of keeping his driver calm during the fuel conservation mode. Gustafson was also looking at the larger points picture. Coming into the Michigan race his team was ranked 13th just one point out of the top 12 that determines the 12 man line up for The Sprint Cup Championship. Sunday’s win vaulted him up to eighth in the standings. I’ve been saying for two years now that Gustafson is on the fast track towards joining the group of super start crew chiefs in Sprint Cup racing. After leading his team to their third of the season he seems to be making that prediction come true.
However, WAZZUP with Martin’s mild case of paranoia last Saturday afternoon? He was disappointed with his 32nd place qualifying lap. In a post race interview he admitted that he went to his motor coach to lie down after qualifying and told himself “man, I hope Mr Hendrick doesn’t fire me.”
Also, WAZZUP with Johnson and Biffle racing that hard at a point in the race when fuel was such a critical issue? Johnson’s engined expired with a full lap left in the race after leading 146 laps of the event. Biffle’s engine consumed its last drop of fuel with a half a lap left. After the race Biffle actually said that he felt Johnson “baited” him into running that hard. But in total candidness he also admitted that if he hadn’t taken the “bait” and stuck to the conservation game plan he probably would have won the race.
This week’s HOORAH for making chicken salad out of chicken do do absolutely goes to Jeff Gordon who followed his team mate under the checkers for a second place finish. After the team discovered they needed to change an engine on Saturday afternoon, they were forced to start the race from the last row. With a combination of good driving, good pit stops and fuel conservation Gordon charged his way to the front. This feat was accomplished despite the chronic back pain that he has endured for the last several months.
A second HOORAH goes out to Gordon for delivering one of the better lines after the race. Gordon went to victory lane to congratulate Martin and said “old man you snookered us again.”
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