Wow! What a race! They don't call it the fastest track for nothing, right? My race really ended at Lap 7, when Matt Kenseth bumped Jeff Gordon (just a race bump, not a "wanna make you wreck" bump) and sent Jeff slamming into the wall for the first big wreck of the day. The wreck took out last week's winner, Mark Martin, for the rest of the race. Some of the others that got caught up in the wreck were Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and AJ Allmendinger, who all eventually made it back on to the track, albeit several laps down. With 'Dega being 'Dega and with me being a big NASCAR fan as well as Jeff Gordon fan, I couldn't just turn the TV off and leave. We had Dale Earnhardt Jr fans, Tony Stewart fans and Ryan Newman fans in the house yesterday. At vaying times throughout the race, Jr and Newman both seemed poised to possibly win. So, there was excitement to be had. When the final caution came out just a few laps from the end, we had Jr pushing Newman to the front to break away from the pack. Then, out of nowhere, Carl Edwards gets a nice assist from Brad Keselowski (where the hell did THEY come from) and they head to the front like nobody's business. Just feet from the end, Keselowski makes his move to win the race, diving below Edwards as an opening appears. Unfortunately, Edwards misjudges the space and catches some serious air as he is spun out into the fencing that, fortunately saved alot of spectatctors from being killed. Thank God, the safer barrier held and Edwards was able to climb out and, in classic Ricky Bobby fashion, crossed the finish line on foot. In one swift move, Edwards went from a 1st place finish to a 24th place finish.
Top 5 Winners of 2009 Aaron's 499 in Talladega:
1. Brad Keselowski (#09)
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr (#88)
3. Ryan Newman (#39)
4. Marcos Ambrose (#47)
5. Scott Speed (#82)
Join me on Fox at 7pm ET this Saturday, May 2nd for more NASCAR Sprint Cup fun at Richmond.
Heather - No doubt, it was awesome. Enough highlights to fill a season. Even made the Today show this morning. I held my breath thinking good ole Matt Lauer was going to bash our sport when they showed the "teaser" at the beginning of the show. As it turned out, he complimented NASCAR on the fact that the fence held and the safety of the cars. Phew ---- our sport does not need bad press right now. It's struggling enough.
Hands down the best race of the season and possibly one of the best race's of all times I know there have been good racing in the past but this was over the top....two (2) big one's and a dramatic finish like that....it just don't get any better in my book......I am glad everyone was alright ....and NASCAR asked for the finish they got.. after last year with Tony and Regan Smith's Talladaga last lap pass...bull-sh!t....I was wondering when you where going to write this Heather.......peace zane
Steve I'm with you on the Carl thing ...glad he was ok...and glad Newman made it past the finish line for a 3rd place finish
and a 4th for Marcos Ambrose (#47)
and a 5th for Scott Speed (#82) way to go guys great job
The Today show, Steve? We've made the big time now. I even heard it on my local morning radio show and they only talk football. Even they were impressed. I'm so glad the safety fence held. That could have been so much worse!
Zane - I think the best thing that came out of Sr.'s death was the enhanced safety features. Mark Martin and #71 hit the wall pretty hard on the first wreck. McMurray's car got a bit of air and ended up on top of Kasey Kahne's car in the first one, too. And Carl almost beheaded Newman. If #39 had been just a little further along when the wreck happened, who knows how Newman would have faired. Crazyness!
Give my love to your grandson, Myrl. The last time I went to the race here in California earlier this year was the first time I saw more Jeff Gordon fans than Dale Jr fans. Gordon fans unite! :)
I read that about 8 fans were hurt mostly minor scape's but one woman my have a broken jaw....I think for as high and hard as cousin Carl hit the fence it did a great job of saving people....
Did you see David Poole passed away this morning he had a heart attack he was only 50 years old....my thoughts and prayers go out to his family...peace zane
and Myrl I went to the Vegas Race and it was the same way more Jeff fans then Jr fans......but not at Talladega they still are JR fans there....
Heather--I saw Matt on one of the talk shows last night, Larry King I think. Amazing that no one was hurt. Matt talked about how his wife balances her love of the sport, her husband's involvement and the stress from worrying about him & the others. Guess that is just part of any sport and life in general. Just sitting in a chair all day is unhealthy and dangerous. (I learned that from my mother)
We have a loyal group of NASCAR fans here in Erie, including my neighbor next door. Have fun today. Have you been hiking with your son? I will scroll through your posts shortly. I am walking on Presque Isle Peninsula this afternoon. I will take a few photos for future post. Mary
Heather I love any type of sporting event, such talent only "limited few" can play, from cars, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, track much more !
I had originally heard, Zane, that no-one received significant injuries. However, I would consider a broken jaw a "serious injury", wouldn't you? But, watching that wreck, it could have been several deaths instead of cuts, scrapes and a broken jaw.
Oh, Cynthia. This is an incredible sport. My parents don't understand how I can be so entranced by watching cars go round and round in circles. But, it is so much more than that. There is alot of strategy involved and you just can't beat the characters in NASCAR.
And, yes, Mary. I have been hiking with my boy. We hike up the hills at least once a week. My legs are getting stronger. I haven't reached the top yet, but we're steadily getting there. When I finally reach the top, maybe we'll be able to start doing it both days over the weekend. Weekends are the only time we have to do any real hiking.
I'm not a huge sports nut and neither is my husband, Lynn. I dated a bonafide sports nut when I was younger (he'd watch ANYTHING sports related). I never wanted to be a sports widow. I think that's one of the things I liked the most about my husband when we first started dating. :)
Heather--I am glad that you continue to hike. If we lived closer, I would join you. I did walk on the peninsula today and took pictures. I will download them tomorrow and write a post. Have a great evening.
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My heart stopped until I saw movement in Carl's car. Glad everyone was ok. Hope the fans were too.