The season opening race was one that was entertaining to watch, yet it was not without controversy. Two notes that should be looked at for sure.
First off though, let's take a look back. Martin Truex, Jr. Sat on the pole but only led a few laps. Kyle Busch (18 M&Ms Toyota) was the day's lap leader, he finished 41st. No, there were not catastrophic engine failures or blown tires for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, just NASCAR's Favorite Son.
Matt Kenseth ended up being declared the winner after the race was shortened by 48 laps for rain. Kevin Harvick finished second, A.J. Allmendinger third, Clint Bowyer fourth and Elliott Sadler fifth.
Controversy No. 1: "The Big One" and "Little E"
This wasn't the typical wreck that is usually caused in the middle pack mayhem that goes on. This was in conjunction with the leaders. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had two very poor pit mistakes that put him a lap down. At one point he drove past his pit stall; the next round of pit stops the right front tire was on the pit-box line, that is declared out of bounds. The NASCAR official working his pit pointed that out, the crew pitted the car anyway, causing the official to asses a one-lap penalty.
On the next restart, the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was the second car one lap down, behind Brian Vickers in the #83 Red Bull Toyota. After the cars got up to speed, Dale Jr got a small run, Vickers pushed his Toyota down to the double-yellow line and the Amp Chevy below it. Instead of blending in to line, Dale seemingly took his frustrations out and came across the bumper of Vickers not once, but twice. Immediately the announcers all agreed "that was wrong". Darrell Waltrip even said "I don't care who you are". Later in the broadcast though, they seemed to show a bit more sympathy. I don't know how or why , but it was intentional. I don't care what Earnhardt, Jr. says that was intentional. It took out ten cars, including contenders like Kyle Busch and Jamie McMurray. "All of this uncalled for with 75 laps to go in this race" - Larry McRenolyds. The block may have been unnecessary, but what was horribly wrong was the wrecking of the leaders. Where was the penalty? No penalty was assessed for "reckless driving" not one lap, no heading to the back. Nothing. That is a disgrace to the sport, I usually don't call the usual 'conspiracy' alert like many do, but this was just down right stupid. Dale Jr. you had ought to be ashamed of yourself. In a sport emphasizing safety, the consistency was lacking on Sunday.
Controversy #2: Rain, Rain, we'll go away.
Earlier I quoted Larry McReynolds at that point it was 75 laps to go. However part of the reason the big one occurred had to be with looming storms moving across the state of Florida. The Race finished after 152 laps, caution coming on lap 148. So the race was official per NASCAR Rules. What I don't like is that by the time Matt Kenseth made it to Gatorade Victory Lane, the rain had ceased. Now drying the track would have been a different story, but usually there is a waiting-out period. I have no problem with Kenseth winning, but I don't know why they didn't wait even an hour to call the race. Contributing to this problem is the later start time for "The Great American Race". Over the last few years the start time gets later and later due in part to the rise of West-Coast fans. Florida is notorious for late-afternoon thunderstorms that come in from the gulf. If the start time would go back to being a more day-centered race it would be nice. Regardless, congratulations to Matt Kenseth and the #17 Roush-Fenway Racing DeWalt Ford Fusion team.
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