Monday, May 5, 2014

Talladega Weekend

Hey readers! Here's my take on Talladega. The Trucks were off this time, again, but Camping World extended its sponsor contract.


Saturday was the Nationwide race.  Elliot Sadler won with 40 laps led, followed by rookie Chris Buescher with 1 lap led, Regan Smith with 20 laps led, David Ragan and pole-sitter Sam Hornish, Jr.  Rounding out the top-10 were Joe Nemechek, J. J. Yeley with 1 lap led,  Landon Cassill, David Starr with 5 laps led and Trevor Bayne, who had a cut tire and went 2 laps down after he had an accident. Twice, he was the free pass car and this enabled him to get his laps back and finish as high as he did with a car that looked like a demolition derby car, according to him.  If he hadn't had these issues, he said he could've been the winner or in the top-5. He gained a spot in points with this finish. Rookies Ty Dillon and Chase Elliot led 3 laps each before they finished 15th and 19th, respectively. Ryan Blaney led 2 laps before a 21st place finish.  Jeremey Clements led 1 lap before a late accident relegated him to 23rd.  Rookie Ryan Reed led 29 laps but finished 24th after he was off track due to an accident. Brian Scott was relegated to a  33rd place due an accident after 10 laps led. Brendan Gaughan was 34th due to that accident after leading 1 lap.  The top-3 in Nationwide points is tighter now and even the top-5 tightened up a bit.


Sunday was the Cup race. Denny Hamlin won with 12 laps led, followed by Greg Biffle with 58 laps led, Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers with 6 laps led and A. J. Almendinger. Rounding out the top-10 were Paul Menard with 10 laps led, Kevin Harvick with 15 laps led, Kasey Kahne, rookie Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.  Landon Cassill and Kyle Busch, led 1 lap each and finished 11th and 12th, respectively.  Casey Mears led 3 laps and finished 14th.  Ryan Newman led 1 lap before he finished 18th.  Marcos Ambrose led 3 laps and finished 19th.  Danica Patrick led 6 laps before she finished 22nd. My mom, though not a big sports fan, wishes Danica would win, but thinks she won't. I guess it's because she's female, why my mom notices her, although she also says Danica doesn't seem that good.  Jimmie Johnson was 23rd after leading 2 laps.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was 26th after leading 26 laps, then hanging back to avoid trouble. Carl Edwards led 6 laps before an accident relegated him to 30th.  Joey Logano was in an accident after leading 25 laps and finished 32nd. Reed Sorenson, David Ragan, Michael McDowell, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gordon all led 1 lap each and finished 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th, 38th. 39th and 40th, respectively.  Trevor Bayne was involved in Brad Keselowski's accident and finished 41st after leading 6 laps.  Both of my favorite drivers were involved in accidents, after laps led, so it was a bit exasperating.


My mom has to have breast cancer treatment next month, so I may not blog as early in the week then.  She should be okay, though.  Come back next week to see my take on Kansas.

2 comments:

  1. I am sending love and good wishes for your mother. I hope everything goes well for her.

    ReplyDelete