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Category: The Final Word

Thornton’s final word

  • The Final Word – Bristol king Busch may be Rowdy to us, but(t) he’s something different to Keselowski

    So, what did we learn at Bristol?

    Well, we learned that sometimes it is a place where, using the term coined by Brad Keselowski, a-holes always win. At least that was the case last weekend. Kyle Busch won the Camping World truck event, the Nationwide event (after purposely turning ole Brad around), and then ran off with the Sprint Cup contest Saturday night. Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t beat his driving. Same was once said about his brother Kurt, at least until Jimmy Spencer beat on him.

    We learned that the snake keeps on coming back and biting Jimmie Johnson again, and again, and again. This time the ole serpent looked like Juan Pablo Montoya, who turned just a bit left to turn Johnson just a bit into the wall. While the champ wound up wounded in 35th, he is a sure thing to make the Chase and currently leads those standings with Denny Hamlin. Not quite time for the alligator tears just yet.

    We learned that it is a good thing the championship is determined the way it is for both those boys. The Pied Piper got beat up his own self, finishing just a place ahead of Johnson. Then again, the next two races it is all about chasing wins and fine tuning for those boys, with eleven positions pretty much determined and two more pre-Chase events remaining. .

    We learned that the 12th place in the Chase should go to Clint Bowyer, barring some form of disaster. After Bristol, he is 100 points up on Jamie McMurray and 101 ahead of Mark Martin. Mind you, Bowyer can still be caught. He also can still be abducted by aliens and even changed into a girl, but I would say the odds are a bit long.

    We learned that the two cars entered by Phil Parson’s PRISM Motorsports finished 42nd and 43rd. Michael McDowell lasted 16 of the 500 laps before engine problems sat him out. Scott Riggs went 32 until his transmission gave up the ghost. Ole Phil has been listed as the owner of 68 entries since the start of last season. His best finish? That would be the 24th place finish by Terry Labonte in their first attempt, the 2009 Daytona 500. How many times have they finished 40th or worse? That would be 59 times, but who’s counting?

    We learned that ABC/ESPN can actually put on an entertaining show. Sending that mad man Kenny Wallace down to talk to the drivers in the garage prior to the race was good television. Having Dale Jarrett give his thoughts on how to deal with Kyle Busch, like knocking on his motorhome door and punching him in the nose, was very insightful…and funny. Having Rusty, Brad, and Nicole allow us the time to hit the kitchen or the bathroom without missing anything worth listening allows us to keep refreshed. It is all good.

    This weekend we have off. The Nationwide folks are in Montreal on Sunday, while Chicago greets the Camping World truckers Saturday night. After nearly 40 games and countless practices, the baseball season has finally come to a close for our two young lads. With nowhere to go, it is going to be a nice, relaxing stay at home weekend for us. I hope you enjoy yours.

  • The Final Word – Juan Pablo, like Robin Hood, went riding through the Glen

    So, what did we learn at Watkins Glen?

    Well, we learned that this was a movie with two starring roles and four co-stars. Juan Pablo Montoya was Robin Hood, Marcos Ambrose the Sheriff of Nottingham, while Kurt Busch, A.J. Allmendinger, Carl Edwards, and Jamie McMurray were the Merry Men. All contenders while the rest were mere pretenders. These six were the lead six for almost the entire event, but the others did play a role.

    We learned that drama comes in all forms. Jimmie Johnson was looking for a breakthrough but he didn’t hit the wall hard enough to actually break through it. When Jeff Burton and Kyle Busch were done beating and banging, Johnson was banged out, along with Denny Hamlin for good measure. I guess the only way to avoid someone else’s mess is to stay in the garage. Still, all four are safe within the Chase for at least the next two weeks, maybe more.

    We learned that being 12th in the standings one week doesn’t mean squat the next. Clint Bowyer had the final rung of the ladder in his grip, but when something went bad on his car, Mark Martin proved to be the beneficiary. Sure, it might be only good for ten points, but 12th is 12th. At least it is until they finish at Michigan. Greg Biffle, one spot ahead, also remains vulnerable to the fortunes of racing this Sunday.

    We learned that even though Tony Stewart had won five of the last eight held at the venue in New York state, his contribution this time out came in the form of removing road ace Boris Said. Said said he was a fan of Stewart, it was just a racing deal, and that he couldn’t have been wrecked by a nicer guy. Okay, I might have made up that last part.

    We learned that Montoya had not won since his maiden victory in June, 2007 at Sonoma. Just the other day the Columbian and crew chief Brian Pattie were having a war of words. Again, it demonstrates the difference between men and women. For guys, we argue one week, win the next. For gals, they have words one week and don’t speak again for months. Tell me I’m wrong.

    We learned over the past week that Paul Menard and his daddy, the one with those big sponsorship dollars, could well be moving over to Childress as a fourth team entry. How good a driver is Menard? Does it matter? Meanwhile, this Bud could be for Kevin Harvick next season. If so, it would be the best fit for them since Junior wore and won in their silks.

    We learned after the race that Jeff Gordon is a papa again, and this time it is a boy. Leo Benjamin Gordon arrived in this world a healthy seven pounder. The driving lessons begin next month.

    I learned that my new niece, Camryn Elysse, did in fact join our family right on schedule, though delayed by a few hours, one week ago today. No one asks me my weight, but Camryn hit the toledos at 8-pounds, 12 ounces. She is currently babysitting the Gordon newborn. This young lady won’t begin her driving lessons at least until the fall. You really shouldn’t rush these things.

    I learned how to watch a ESPN broadcast without being irritated. I record it and watch from the beginning a couple of hours later. Each time Rusty and Brad appear, I fast forward the PVR. When Kyle and Wally were on I was always afraid I would be missing something doing this. I don’t have anything to fear anymore.

    Well, that was the week that was. Michigan is on the dance card for this weekend, and the top ten in the standings are sitting pretty with only four to go before the Chase field is locked in. Biffle and Martin have their work cut out for them, as Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Junior, and Kasey Kahne will again try to break their hearts. Kahne and Junior had top tens there last year, as did Biffle. It should be a real interesting day for one Mr. Martin.