by Ron Thornton  |  About The Author   |  Discuss

It was better than Daytona in February. The shorter summer version of the Great American Race, the one held on or near the Great American Holiday, wasn't even decided at the finish line. When the end came, two were dueling out front in a green - white - checkered showdown when the boys started wrecking behind them. GOOD timing for Kyle Busch, as the one some love to hate, and others hate to love, was just ahead of Carl Edwards when the caution came out to claim his 6th victory in 18 races.

Not all of Kyle's fans are blood relatives. I'm surprised, too, but after last week's column some came out of the woodwork to work me over, albeit in a gentle fashion. Okay, one was named Busch, but she claims no relation. The object of their support is a young man of 23, cocky, talented, and GOOD enough to have also added four Nationwide and a pair of Craftsman wins to the resume this season. Add it all up, and Kyle Busch is the most dynamic driver in NASCAR today.

The GOOD times were rolling for Jeff Gordon for much of the race. That little bump that sent him from 2nd to 30th near the end, however, probably had him reflecting on the day somewhat differently.

When you are feeling BAD, it sometimes is best that you hand off to your co-pilot. Tony Stewart did just that, but the crashing and bashing in the end left designated driver J.J. Yeley 20th in the race. That, in turn, left Stewart hanging on to the last Chase place by his finger tips. Kevin Harvick is just two points away.

In fact, you could toss a blanket to cover the six guys coveting those last five positions. Eighth place Kasey Kahne is just 34 points up on the 13th place Harvick, with Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle, and Stewart sandwiched in between. No doubt that will be tough on the boys, but it should mean GOOD action for us.

Too BAD for Michael Waltrip. Running for a Top Ten finish, he got finished in the last lap carnage to wind up 27th. GOOD news for Robby Gordon, as his sixth place result was just his second Top Ten of the campaign. If there was an UGLY, it was having Dario Franchitti's car left in the garage and put in mothballs. It would seem Coors put a silver bullet into the heart of the ride when they pulled their sponsorship.

As I said before, and you can bet I'll say again, cars that run GOOD on race day should be rewarded for their efforts regardless as to where they are in driver's points.  Passes for finishing in the Top Twenty should be given to Patrick Carpentier (14th), Terry Labonte (16th), and Joe Nemechek (18th) for a guaranteed place in the field for this Saturday. Frankly, they deserve it more than a Top 35 dangler. Sam Hornish Jr (29th), Michael McDowell (25th), and Regan Smith (24th) should be among those having to qualify in.

In other news, I read that Teresa Earnhardt is interested in selling DEI. Too BAD the outfit lost much of its value as a racing entity at the end of 2007 when its last racing Earnhardt went elsewhere. It continues to slide with Martin Truex Jr rumored to be the next out the door and even Mark Martin is on his way out. If Teresa sells out, then many fans that would see it as the final desecration of the complex she and the Intimidator built. I say rename it the Dale Earnhardt Memorial Museum and let his fans gather. Some fields of dreams have already been built, and all you have to do is allow the people to come. As with the Randleman garage of the Petty family, some places for NASCAR fans are sacred ground.

Happy Birthday, Regan! My baby brother is 38 today. My birthday is on Thursday. I turn 26. Go figure. Okay, 26 for the second time. My grandfather, Albert Schulz, would have turned 100 on Sunday. While he is no longer with us to celebrate, the GOOD news is that Regan and I still are. There may be some disadvantages to growing older, but so far we find that it beats the alternative.

Daytona might have left Tony Stewart with an ill feeling, but a year ago saw him showering in the suds at Chicago. This Saturday night the TNT crew brings us the action from that venue for a final time before we take a week off to clear the decks for the return of ESPN/ABC, Rusty, and the daft draft lock. I can hardly wait. At least this Saturday, you can join Kyle, Wally, and company and enjoy the race!
 

You can contact Ron at thornton@speedwaymedia.com

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