Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Commentary

You win this time NASCAR, this time...

The one redeeming factor to the boring race in Indy was none other than Ryan Newman

Race winner Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Race winner Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Action Sports Photography

Alright NASCAR, you win this time

In my continuing saga of my critical thoughts on stock cars at Indianapolis, I suppose I should close my argument after the result from the speedway yesterday.

Last week, I tore NASCAR apart in talking about how much I hated seeing the stock cars run at Indy. Heavy cars and a small racing line equals no passing. They proved that this weekend again in the 20th edition of the race.

Juan Pablo Montoya, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Juan Pablo Montoya, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

As I mentioned before, I called the race a snooze fest. You could say this is true, but I didn't sleep during the race. I prepared dinner, cleaned the house and mowed the lawn. Yep, I got things done while my PVR recorded away.

The Nationwide race was a snoozer however. I didn't bother watching it, but as soon as I saw the results come out, a Kyle Busch win with 92 laps led I was excited to have not wasted the time.

But somehow I did get caught up in the pre-race for the Cup race. Yeah, I guess history of an event can suck you in. But as soon as the green flag dropped, and the cars were single file, thats when the housework began.

Knowing Ryan Newman, a Hoosier native, had a small chance of besting Jimmie Johnson, I didn't let the race go completely un-noticed.

Apparently, because I didn't watch the event, Johnson's team made a very small mistake (thankfully) and Newman jumped on it. I watched the final 15 laps in amazement as Johnson could only take out half a second of the 39's lead in those closing circuits.

Race winner Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Race winner Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

But in the end, it was a popular victory. I have been a Newman fan for some time, and seeing the driver win only a pair of weeks after being announced to not be returning to the team was a glorious way to end his career at Stewart-Haas Racing.

I am simply writing this to say that without the personalities at that track this weekend, I, and plenty of NASCAR fans worldwide just wouldn't have cared there was a race at all.

I will give them the credit for putting a winner who truly deserved to win at the Brickyard in victory lane, but I still feel that is a great story to close NASCAR's 20 year stint at Indianapolis.

I don't even think lights at the Speedway, or even restrictor plates could get me interested in seeing those lumbering beasts run around that track. I am however looking forward to the MotoGP weekend there…

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Newman ‘brings it home’ for first career Brickyard 400 win
Next article Cool-down lap: Tale of two cities

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global