Still, it should be noted that
the cream rose to the top, or more accurately, Smoke smoked them! Starting with the IROC event, Tony Stewart let it be known
that he was back, and with a calm vengeance.
Actually, the non-NASCAR participants
in an IROC event are really at a disadvantage. How so, you ask—after all, NASCAR stock cars are some of the least technologically
advanced (in big time auto racing) on the face of the planet. Less down force, less tire contact patch, more weight…
while seemingly a handicap, driving with those restrictions is actually an advantage. If a driver can excel under those conditions—driving
loose and one tap away from disaster, anything less than that is a walk in the park, as Tony demonstrated on the road course
against sports car & open wheel greats as he notched a convincing victory in the IROC event on Thursday evening.
And yet… it takes more than
raw talent. Tony has that in buckets, and yet he had a rollercoaster of a Daytona 500 this year, allowing himself to get upset
with Matt Kenseth and others, and was very lucky to salvage the finish that he received.
The Pepsi 400 with the Coke-drinking-winner
was a different story. His shoulder healed, Tony returned to a cocky confidence, didn’t get upset, and didn’t
put a mark on the car, and wound up in victory lane for his efforts.
In a different story, a quieter
story, Denny Hamlin has moved into tenth place in the point standings with nine races to go. Now, there are nine races to
go, but during a time when, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch (among others) are strategizing to get
into the top ten.
It could be argued that it is
easier to chase than it is to be chased. Perhaps, but odds are also on the fact that any of those guys would love to change
point positions with Denny Hamlin right now and take their chances with the guys behind them—and currently out of “The
Chase”.
Actually, Denny Hamlin is somewhat
of an unsung hero. He is not flamboyant, doesn’t throw his HANS device, and doesn’t make brash statements, doesn’t
even do back flips (and please, keep ‘em coming Carl!). He is not a teen heartthrob (well, at least not to the extent
of a Kasey Kahne). Yet in only his first full year on the NASCAR circuit he has notched a win at Pocono, and is contending
with the big boys for all the marbles.
True, he is in Gibbs racing equipment,
but others have had a seat on that team with less success. To put it another way, two short years ago he was racing late models
and had not even made his first Busch series start at this point in the year.
Yes, Tony and Denny definitely
have a different style, both on and off the track. Happily, being able to celebrate our differences is what this country is
all about, especially during this time of year, a time in which we celebrate fighting for our nation’s independence,
and our right to our differences.
And, there is more than one road
to victory lane. We all have our good moments, our respective gifts, and our moments of anger. It is what is in our hearts
that will ultimately count, and in that respect, Tony and Denny are more similar than different.
Welcome to the fight for your
spot in “The Chase”, Denny. And by the way, never mind the now common burnouts, you sure pull a mean wheelie on
a riding lawnmower!
Questions, Comments;
Email Jay
The views and opinions in this article are that of the writer and not necessarily that of SCR
2006 StockCar Review.
