Race nine brought the NASCAR road show to Talladega Alabama for the "White Knuckle" 500. Ever since Bobby Allison tried to gain entrance into the grandstands the hard way, the NASCAR boys have been subjected to four of these crazy races each season. Oh sure this is exciting stuff to watch but this isn't racing the way it ought to be. This version of the "Hold Your Breath" 500 once again showed what is wrong with this type of event. We spent most of the day running clean and green but just like death and taxes some things are inevitable. Seventeen cars were involved in the "BIG ONE" at this year's "Nail Biter" 500 on lap 138. Bobby Labonte's title hopes were given a big thump, as he had nowhere to go with half the field wrecking in front of him. Yes this is thrilling stuff but so is a ride on the bumper cars at Great America. But just like the bumper cars this isn't real racing.
Jeremy Mayfield took the pole on Friday during a rain delayed pole day which ESPN2 did a great job of covering. Many of the usual contenders had all kinds of trouble and the new shock rules obviously helped the Chevys quite a bit. This year's "Whose Your Dancin" Partner" 500 got off to a great start with lots of shuffling for positions right from the start. Mark Martin and Jeff Burton almost stole the show on gas mileage but a late caution flag dashed their plans. That same caution bunched up the field and set the table for the big wreck of the day. Scott Pruett who was several laps down cut down into Robby Gordon and the wreck was on. When the smoke cleared the cars of Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart, and Michael Waltrip among others had been radically redesigned. It took almost 500 miles worth of duck tape to get Bobby's car back in something resembling racing condition. Meanwhile, up front Mark Martin and Jeremy Mayfield had the two strongest cars for much of the day with Mark leading the most laps. Mark had the lead with 5 laps to go but as Jeremy Mayfield tried to make his move high Jeff Gordon squeaked through on the apron to make the final pass for the lead. Mark might have been able to block Jeff but played it smart. He decided a top ten finish and the points lead were more important than creating a sequel to the big wreck. Gordon held on by just under two tenths of a second over Mike Skinner to help get the monkey off crew chief Robbie Loomis's back. In a classy move Robbie dedicated the win to Lee Petty whose famous family gave Robbie his start. Dale Earnhardt, Kenny Irwin, and Jimmy Spencer rounded out the top five in the "Rent a Wreck" 500. Eleven drivers swapped the lead twenty seven times in a race only slowed by four cautions. It sure was exciting but this aint real racin'.(As Dale Earnhardt so eloquently stated after the race) Mark Martin's sixth place finish pushed him to the top spot in the title chase by twenty-four points over Bobby Labonte. The Cup boys get the week off for Easter Sunday before heading west to do some real racing in two weeks.
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