The question that needs
to be asked is did Vickers mean to do it? Whether or not he did, it's pretty easy to say that it was a cheap way to earn your
first win. With a teammate in front of you, it's best that you help him by the car in the lead. What makes it even worse is
the fact that Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. are racing for a championship, while Vickers is not.
Heck, Vickers isn't even
going to be with Hendrick Motorsports come next season. He'll be going to the new Red Bull Toyota team, driving a brand new
Camry in NASCAR's premier series.
It'll be a finish most
will question and voice their opinion about for weeks, months, and maybe even years to come.
I personally do not think
that Vickers meant to wreck the leaders. I believe his intent was to push his teammate by the Jr., and if he had enough steam,
maybe make a run at Johnson for the win. During the last 3 or 4 laps of the race, it seemed that Vickers pushed Johnson's
No. 48 Chevrolet throughout each inch of the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway, especially down the backstretch on the final
lap.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. really
put it best when he said that Vickers was just a little anxious and excited to be racing for the win, and made a simple mistake.
This coming from a guy who's racing for a championship and was 1.5 miles away from victory… In my opinion, that speaks
volumes.
Questions,
Comments;
Email Jack
The views and opinions in this article are
that of the writer and not necessarily that of SCR
2006 StockCar Review.
