Which was the most interesting race to watch…Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 or The Coca-Cola 600?

What a question to lay out right off the bat, this just happened to be the WindTunnel question of week and it inspired me to go deeper on that very subject. When I look at this past Sunday’s triple elite header of three of the top races all season long that begun at 7:30am, east coast time and went all the way to 10:28PM, the first thing that comes to mind was that…perfect, three huge historical races and a large plain pizza.

I have to admit that the day started off for me at 10am, instead of 7:30am with watching Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix via taped delayed thanks to a DVR. I don’t know why, but I really like this race, maybe it’s the course, the layout is so tight, up and down and around even tighter city streets some coming very close to the marina or maybe it’s the history, what every the case, I look forward to a couple of races all season long and this one is number one followed by Canadian GP and of course USGP. With all that said, there is not really much to tell unlike last year with Michael Schumacher threading his way throw the field, this years was really unchallenging for the top 4 at least, because the top 4 starters including both Fernando Alonso on pole with his teammate Lewis Hamilton along side for McLaren-Mercedes, finished the same way. Fernando Alonso wins in Monaco, despite the fact that right from the start Hamilton fell into line right behind Alonso, there was no challenge for the lead, as for Ferrari, there was no challenge from Felipe Massa neither as he couldn't’t keep up and finished 69 seconds back.

I will say the I loved the camera shots from the front nose of the McLaren-Mercedes cars, interesting view points, it just goes to show the tightness of the course and I love the tunnel going under what I think is a hotel. You know, despite that showing, this would be a race I would want to take in, in person.

On the completely opposite side of the spectrum was the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 and before I even get to the race, four days of qualifying is worthless, go to either a total one day pole and bump day or maybe two day.

Going on to the race, I would call it frustrating, because of the rain, but despite the rain, the shortened Indy 500 came away with running 166 laps, the first half of this one was ok with mostly the lead being swapped by Castroneves and Kanaan a couple of times, after the red flag, that second half up until the rain came again looked like a sprint race, incredible, Andretti-Green racing and Penske Racing were right there fighting it out, and at times it looked like either Marco Andretti or Tony Kanaan were going to win it, but the way this one ended with do you pit or not came down to fuel strategy and a great winner, none other than Dario Franchitti wins the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500, taking home $1,645,233, what a gamble, the call of the race to chance it all and stay out paid off. I have to say, it he had come in and the race did go the distance, I believe that Dario Franchitti would have won it no matter what or at least one of his teammates. Dario Franchitti drove on great race and was strong all day long. (Image from Indy500.com)

Marco’s crash with in the second half a couple minutes before the rains fell scared me, what a flip, but he walked away, what safety.

Finally, the one I had been looking forward to all day long the most, NASCAR Nextel Cup Series longest night, the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. However if the All-Star race the week before had anything to say, this one was going to be rough. This was by far the most frustrating race all day long in the beginning. During the day time, I don’t know what some of these drivers were thinking, wreck after wreck, Jeff Gordon at one point nailed the wall, I think as many as 20 cars involved during the day, but when the sun went down, let the racing begin. Despite the tires, this one was all about taking 2, 4 or no tires, fuel or just plain stay out and all of that happened. At the end of 600 miles, it looked like Jimmie Johnson or Matt Kenseth with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in pursuit were going to win this one, but fuel would play a role, yes fuel mileage, most of the front runners had to pit, but a few stayed out for the gamble and wouldn’t you know it, a Hendrick driver once again shined thought with none other than Casey Mears winning the Coca-Cola 600. (Image from Racingone.com by Getty Images.)

My father said it the best, “He won it doing it honestly and cleanly” and I agree fully, he earned this hands-down. Congratulations to Casey Mears on picking up his first Nextel Cup victory and giving his sponsor National Guard a huge win too. You earned it.

If you thought that was surprising and interest, here’s the rest of the top 5 including J.J. Yeley in 2nd, Kyle Petty in 3rd picking up in first top 5 finish since I think 1997, Reed Sorenson in 4th and with the extra power, Brian Vickers in his Toyota both scored there first top 5 this season leading 78 laps.

After all that, what about question, what was the most interesting race to watch, you know despite the fact that I am a huge NASCAR fan and that it was the longest race, I would have to say it was the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 wins and not by much nether. Well that’s it for this Memorial Day weekend racing in terms of the top elite on the longest day in Motorsports, Hope you had a Great weekend and don't forget to support our troops. It’s off to Dover next week with the Car of Tomorrow/2008 and FOX’s last NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race of the season, See Yeah!