Originally posted by HardScrabble@Sep 14 2003, 08:16 PM
I do believe we saw just about every way there is not to make a pit stop.
Especially the highly choregraphed effort required to make a gas and go......................
Things not to do on pit road, and misplaced sentiment on the track were highlights of the race today correctly called by Hardscrabble.
The early on slowing by Bill Elliott for a caution causing a massive rush to the line to get a lap back by others needing to do so was a darn good reason NASCAR must make a rule relating to the "gentlemans agreements" and giving laps back (note previous example of situation involving Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch). Both the "gentleman's agreement and giving laps back are inter-related and dangerous.
The announcers deserve an award for the "DUH" comments made during the race. One comment was the analysis by one of them as why Chad Knauss looked at the right side of Johnson's car after being hit by Jeff Gordon during the pit road incident. "DUH", it was assumed (and we all know what that word means) Knauss was looking for damage to Johnson's fender when in fact he was looking to see why his crew member did not get right up after being hit.
Another comment made by the announcer was, "what is this", referencing when Newman and Waltrip passed the leader Bill Elliott as he slowed, allowing lapped cars an opportunity to get a lap back. As if it hwas more important than the confusion and danger it presented. Was Elliott's move gentlemanly ??? Yea, like offering someone the first shot in a duel. Of course it is always a source of amazement NASCAR has no hard and fast rule to require drivers to keep thier seat belts fastened and helmets on until the safety trucks arrive except in case of fire.
The crash on pit road might be considered a "racing incident" or as Michael said, "mental lapse", but no matter the cause, his point was a valid point. Once a car crosses the line at the entrance to pit road there is to be no passing. Many times cars speed on pit road, and radar is a good response rather than the archaic way speed is recorded on pit road.
Fortunately, today, no one was seriously injured, but sometimes these teams are not as lucky ( make no doubt today was a LUCKY day for those team members and Jeff Gordon) and if NASCAR is serious about making safety a primary issue, these things need to be addressed and soon.
Either way, congratulations are in order to Jimmy Johnson for the win and to Matt Kenseth for taking the sensible, conservative approach and to Ricky Rudd for another good finish.
On the negative side, check out Robbie Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jimmy Spencer, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmy Johnson for mental errors, ruining someone elses day or any combination of the above.
It is alwasy easy for me to sit in my easy chair and watch the race, criticize and complain. No one hears me unless I place my thoughts here and then I expect to get a response. But what the heck, isn't it more fun this way??? As the man said, opinions are like azzholds, everybody has one, including me.
