Apr 28 2009
CUP SERIES: TALLADEGA TRAGIC AND TRIUMPHANT
First and foremost, This is not the place to look to find every thing about a wreck and nothing about the race winner!
Congrats to Brad Keselowski! The “rookie” who started off as “that Nationwide driver Dale Jr hired”, is now a Cup series race winner!
You will hear and see the “scandal” over the last lap from all sides but no matter who you favor race wise the truth is this…
Keselowski did NOTHING WRONG! After the controversy over last years “Regan and Stewart below double yellow” finish; the only way to keep his position was to not budge.
Even Carl Edwards, after being treated and released from the infield care center, admitted that it was a racing deal. “I just didn’t know he was that close to me,” Edwards stated.
So before I go into the rest of the race recap and review let me just say, “Way to stick your guns there Brad!”
Now then, as for the rest of the tempid Talladega day, the action on track started early as the 1st “big one” hit on lap 7. After a slight bump from Matt Kenseth sent Jeff Gordon sideways the field stacked up in a major wreck. 14 plus cars were involved, 10 with significant damage, 9 of which went off track to the garage for repairs and/or retired from the race.
Among the cars involved were: (cars listed in numerical order)
07, 2, 5, 9, 13, 18, 19, 24, 26, 29, 33, 36, 44, 71
A few minor debris cautions and single car incidents plagued afterward, with another multi-car wreck on lap 180.
The 2nd “big one” was started by a slight bump in the draft on Montoya (42) from Denny Hamlin (11).
Among the cars involved here (in numerical order by car #)
1, 7, 11, 12, 41, 42, 48, 55, 77, 96
But among all the other events on the Sunday the one you are sure to hear the most about the last lap crash of Carl Edwards.
The carnage that lay on the track was horribly spectacular. It was the kind of wreck you hope to never see, but then can’t turn away from.
The tucked up duo of Edwards and Keselowski roared past Newman and Dale Jr in picture perfect form. But as with all races, the pass for the lead was eminent.
Keselowski tried to go high and Edwards blocked. When he (Keselowski) went for the cross over it appeared as though Carl was going to let him drag race him to the finish.
With the nose of the 09 barely got past the left rear quarter panel Edwards moved down ever so slightly. They touched and the wrecking commenced.
The eerie feeling that we had seen this all before set in as Edwards went airbourne. When he hit the catch fence and debris showered the crowd I was sent bact to the Allison wreck of ‘87.
It was horrifying, not just for Edwards, but for the crowd, the comentators, and for Ryan Newman. Newman’s #39 chevy was first in line to get a windshield full of the 99 car, and it’s front end paid the price for it.
While all the drivers were ok, reports indicated that as many as 8 fans were injured by flying debris. None of these injuries were life threating.
For more on the race or where your favorite driver finished, I recomend the two best sources for all things Nascar, www.nascar.com or www.speedtv.com .
