Worst case scenario for NASCAR at Talladega
To be frank, NASCAR needed a particular sequence of events to occur at Talladega in order to liven things up, generate more fan interest as the 2009 season draws to a conclusion. Additionally, they needed a clean race, especially after the way the previous two restrictor plate races ended. Basically, they needed an incident-free race with Mark Martin, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Jeff Gordon finishing 1-2-3, and for Jimmie Johnson to finish 43rd due to a blown engine.
The exact opposite was the case. Martin, Gordon, and Montoya were swept up in the final 13-car accident, while Johnson, who spent the majority of the race 30th or worse, moseyed his way up to sixth without a scratch on his car, stretching his championship lead to 184 points with three races remaining. Moreover, the race featured two horrific accidents within the last five laps, as Ryan Newman and Mark Martin both went airborne in two separate accidents.
In fact, Newman was trapped in his car for several minutes before rescue workers flipped the car over to right side up and cut the roll cage so Newman could climb out of the severely damaged car.
While Newman did not sustain any injuries from the wreck, he was burning with anger towards NASCAR for putting the drivers in this situation.
“It’s not even a good race for the fans, that’s the bottom line, that’s who we’re trying to service is the fans. They can stand up and cheer when there’s three (laps) to go with a green-white-checker (finish), but that’s not racing. You’re supposed to be racing all day long. And I think we’ve lost a little bit of that luster,” he said after emerging from the infield care center.
He continue his rant by saying, “It’s just a product of this racing and what NASCAR’s put us in, in this box with these types of cars, with the yellow line, with no bump drafting, no passing.”
Newman was not alone. Several drivers voiced their concerns following the race.
NASCAR will receive an abundance of censure throughout the next week and beyond due to the late race carnage. With dwindling ratings and attendance, and the fact that NASCAR seems to constantly open themselves up to criticism, two hair-raising wrecks, boring nose-to-tail racing, and a cluster of angry drivers were the last circumstances NASCAR needed to face.
Furthermore, it is unlikely that the public appeal will improve throughout the remaining three weeks. Chances are, we will not see any chilling airborne crashes at Texas, Phoenix, or Homestead, at least we hope not, but with the championship all but wrapped up, fans are likely to find something else to do with their Sunday afternoon.
Oh, by the way, Jamie McMurray won!
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Worst case scenario for NASCAR at Talladega
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