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While Kenseth wins, the Wolverine dances
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Matt Kenseth won his second race in a row Sunday, taking the checkered flag at California a week after he won the biggest race of his career, the Daytona 500.
 Actress Natalie Portman arrives for the 81st Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)  Matt Kenseth and teammates celebrate after he won the NASCAR Auto Club 500 race Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in Fontana, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Reed) |
While the race unfolded, less then 40 minutes to the west --as long as traffic on I-10 cooperates, that is -- the stars of Hollywood, and this year Bollywood, were prancing along the red carpet and gushing over their gold statuettes.
It’s arguably one of the biggest nights for television of the year. Although the thought of the ‘Wolverine’ dancing and signing may have sent thumbs on remotes flying, once the ratings come in no doubt NASCAR will have one of its lowest-rated races of the year.
While Kenseth was leading the field, Ben Stiller was chewing gum and looking like a ‘refugee from a Hasidic meth lab.’ And there is little question that Stiller had far more viewers then Kenseth.
For the casual NASCAR fan what reason was there to actually watch a race dominated by cautions for ‘sprinkles’? It was a ho-hum event won by a driver not exactly known for his display of emotion. Sure, to the drivers going 200 miles per hour it makes for an exciting evening from where they sit. But to viewers seeing Heath Ledger's family make an acceptance speech was far more interesting.
Since 2004 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science has held its Oscar night near the end of February or the beginning of March and since 2005 NASCAR has headed west to California for their second race of the year.
The collision of art and sport hasn’t exactly been earth-shattering. But when you are at a racetrack where the topic of conversation is ‘fuel strategy,’ no one expects much in the way of beating, banging and barn-burning action. And on that account California didn’t disappoint.
So while Penelope Cruz was trying not to faint, the smattering of people in the stands at the Auto Club Speedway were being treated to ‘sprinkles’ and Matt Kenseth holding off Jeff Gordon to win his second race of the year.
And very few people cared.
Maybe NASCAR needs to rethink their strategy when it comes to scheduling. Maybe the second week of the season could be an off week, or perhaps they could head somewhere where the racing is a bit more exciting and the stands actually have a chance of being filled.
Until then, even Natalie Portman’s ‘bubble gum-pink dress with traces of gold,’ considered a fashion ‘faux pas’ on the red carpet, will win out every time.
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