Talladega - now those are some real Fast Laps

by Charlie Turner

I'm Charlie Turner co-host of the syndicated, mostly NASCAR radio show On Pit Row. Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. Oh yeah, Steve is an idiot.

3 Responses to “Talladega - now those are some real Fast Laps”

1. Charlie on October 4th, 2007 5:18 pm

   OK, I guess it’s only fair that I go first for a change. But I warn you. I plan to use the rope-a-dope strategy this week - and I have the rope.

   1. Yes. There was something like 75 minutes left before sunset when the race was re-started for the last time. There was enough time to complete the remaining scheduled laps, though things would have to go smoothly for that to happen. They didn’t, but the fans at the track deserved the attempt.

   2. There has to be somewhere that these guys can let their hair down - or limited vocabulary show. The ESPN cameraman was not scheduled to interview Stewart and had not been acknowledged to do so. I would think that Tony would learn, but if he wants to swear, this was the time - not in the official interviews.

   3. As I said ON PIT ROW and in different places on the net - what is the hurry? This is the wrong event - the first CoT race at notoriously squirrely Talladega. It’s not just that he increases the wildcards - if he even qualifies - but he can’t even learn much here. It’s a wierd race. He is very talented and because of that he has a chance to put up a majic lap and get in the thing. That would be bad news.

   4. If you’re more than 200 points out after 3 races, it’s time to clean the golf clubs. The only good news is there are only two leaders at the very top instead of seven like last week. If Gordon and Johnson get wrapped up in a Jacques-off at ‘Dega, someone might actually catch up.

2. Luke on October 5th, 2007 1:14 am

   I swear I remember answering there, but maybe not.
   1) Ditto.

   2) If ya sneak up on a guy with a live camera, especially Stewart, you get what you get. I don’t recall ESPN crying about it, just a few “folks” who have to act like they’ve never heard or said it. Sheesh. Oh my, Bob! Yeah, whatever. I’m not saying he should use it repeatedly in an interview, but grammatically, it is a very diverse word. What, you didn’t hear that bit?

   3) Um, no. I don’t care “who” you are, I care about what you’ve done that applies for you to be “approved” for running a beast like that. Thus far, the ARCA race would have been a better “first try” at this particular style. It’s not that the guy doesn’t have a nice resume, but when you put fenders over them tires things are just different.

   4) Are we talking mathematically, or realistically?

   I’d say 100 points would be a struggle, but then again since 4th is at -117, and 3rd is -14, that leaves only 3 folks to bet on having something happen between now and Homestead.

   4th through 10th is “fairly” close, Hamlin and Kenseth are unlikely. It would take 10 cars having sub-30th runs, and then being Top 10 the rest of the way.

   Right now, it’s all about odds. The further back you are after Bowyer, the worse those odds become.

   Turn 1 up there is what really made a difference. See what the standings “would” have been had it rained out? Flip-flop there went from about 100 up to 100 down. A 200 point swing. Damn the luck.
   Seriously though, if the Top 3 can make it though ‘Dega, the hurdles become smaller, and the game comes down to not beating yourself.

   Stewart beat himself at Kansas. Not for staying out for the rain, but for staying out with a tire like that. He knows better, and so does Zippy.

   So now we have the call to make. Who’s got a realistic shot?

   Anything past Edwards is going to take some major work, and some luck.

   While 200 points and 7 out of Richmond might be something, 7 out of Homestead is entirely different. Those guys are bringing their “A ” game every time they unload. There is no safety net.

   Johnson is streaky, and could go either way.

   Gordon is fierce, and also streaky. Although his type of streaks go from a good finish to ripping off wins and seconds.

   Clint is a wild card, really. We just don’t have enough stats on him, but the closer he gets and still being in the hunt could prove the be the boost he needs to see it through.

   Stewart can get hot too, and not just towards the in-car camera. If the Top 3 bobble, he could easily be back in it.

   Kevin, Kyle, and Carl… Show me the consistency please. It’s possible, but they have to keep it together and have nothing further happen.

3. Steve on October 7th, 2007 6:37 am

   1– NASCAR’s long standing, unwritten rule is to not restart delayed races if they cannot be completed to thier length. Everything would have had to gone perfectly for that race to meet its original length and nothing went perfectly. Instead a moving target of “last laps” occured and the few fans left in the stands were left guessing–again.

   2– Ther first rule of braodcasting is to treat every mic and every camera as if it is “hot”. Charlie you should know that. With that said; Tony chose to cuss out the camera(man) for affect. It is his way of getting fired up. NASCAR messed-up his psych-up by NOT fining him.

   3– Let Jacques try and get in the race. If he does (and now did) then let him see what its like. I believe he is smart enough to stay the hell out of the way–as will Sam.

   4– If you are more than one full race out of contention, then you’re done. Sorry but this is now a 5 man race.

   Now lets see if I can post this on the 3rd try.

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