Dewalt by Default By-Rob Faiella Check out ALL our sections and features here!! There is plenty to keep you busy on our main page! Once again the Red Flag had its hand in the outcome of the race, or did it? And it wasn't even displayed. And for that, once again there is controversy, which I, for one, love! Nascar needs to set the rules for the Red Flag and make them public. It can not be a judgment call. The Truck series and the Modified Tour and probably some other Nascar divisions, have rules in effect that the race can not end under yellow. It has to be a minimum, Green, White, Checkered finish. Even if it adds a few laps to the race. With all the emphasis on parity and trying to produce more exciting racing for the fans, why doesn't Nascar apply this rule? We will never know who would have won Sunday's race had Nascar thrown the Red Flag, but as fast and consistent as Matt Kenseth was, no one has the right to put an asterisk next to his name in the win column. Matt started 25th and methodically moved to the front with great pit work and patience. The race was, as Don put it, "Wreckingham". Jeff Gordon seemed to have his share of controversy as he laid the bumper to his fellow competitors on a few occasions. His contact with Casey Atwood caused a massive pile-up and fortunately everyone walked away. Speaking of which, my thoughts and prayers go out to David Bryant, the right front tire carrier for Jimmie Johnson, who broke his right leg when he was hit by Mark Martin's car during an early pit stop. The guys in the trenches are true warriors. Did anyone catch Darrel Waltrip's comment about how tough it is to drive Rockingham? He said something to the effect of, "It takes a real man to get these cars around this track". Any Shawna Robinson fans or Tina Gordon fans offended by that? He obviously didn't mean to be disrespectful, but in a world of "Political Correctness", what is your opinion? Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth all made huge gains in the point standings by jumping, 21, 21 and 23 places respectively. All the pre-season hype had Tony Stewart as the 2002 Champion. Can he still do it? Petty racing had another terrible outcome this week. John Andretti had a respectable 15th place finish, but was hardly mentioned. Buckshot and Kyle were caught up in the big wreck, both T-boning Casey Atwood. These guys can't buy a break, I swear. I am both disappointed and content in Fox's coverage of the final laps and the Robby Gordon caution. Fox went back to a replay of the Gordon incident and just before he hits Jimmie Johnson, you hear his spotter or crew chief say, "Robby, don't do it" and then the contact happens. Earlier in the race, Marlin threatened to "take Johnson behind the woodshed" if he kept driving like that. Could Robby have had the same "problems" with Jimmie? I have to say, I was skeptical of Jeff Gordon's decision to hire Jimmie as his new driver. So far, Jimmie hasn't proved a thing to me. The 500 pole was nice, but he needs to be schooled in race day activities. Anyhow, continuing my thought, after Robby spun, he waited for a caution and it wasn't thrown. He got the car pointed in the right direction and then went back on the track and right up to the outside wall, completely in the way as the leaders were approaching. At this point, Fox cut to a replay of his spin and we missed Marlin and Labonte getting crossed up in either the fluid Robby was laying down, or the unprofessional move he made to get in the way. This is what allowed Kenseth to catch and pass both Marlin and Labonte. Essentially, this was the pass for the win. We never got a good view of everything that transpired. Robby Gordon, and his crew chief, were summoned to the "Big Red Trailer" after the race to meet with Nascar about the issue. We shall see what, if anything, they do. I think Nascar also needs to talk to both Gordons and Mr. Johnson as well. But, that is my opinion. Thanks and keep reading! Rob RobFaiella@insidethepitbox.com Check out ALL our sections and features here!! There is plenty to keep you busy on our main page! (Editors Note:The views and opinions of our writers are just that, theirs. If you have comments, write to them. We take no responsibility for their articles... Do you blame us?) Article archives Return to the Main Page