Photo by Gregory Shamus
Getty Images for NASCAR
However, with that all said, nothing would have prepared me for what type of racing we saw earlier today, according to ESPN’s broadcast, it was history in the making as for the first time ever, the NASCAR Nationwide Series would run a race on rain tires.
It’s been a long time since I have seen NASCAR in any series race (more like practice or qualify) in the rain, the first one that came to mind was years old back when the Cup Series raced in Suzuka, Japan and had to qualify in the rain or the second was at Watkins Glen when the Cup Series again would have to practice in the rain, but even with that, racing in the rain is completely different.
Interesting specs on these rain tires, Goodyear produced them back in 2002, they are the same type of tire Goodyear used in the Sports Car Series and other series, it’s a full rain tire, but the question before the race was, would this tire work?
In watching the race on ESPN, I was surprised at just after 8 laps, the rains came and everyone would find out just these tires would do and the tire worked for awhile. I was impressed with the race itself, whether it was Marcos Ambrose leading most of the race and at times pulling out to a huge lead over the rest of the field while there was a lot of passing behind them, to the Nationwide Series regulars staying on track. Surprisely the race was entertaining, a lot of passing on a road course and you know after last weekend’s Cup Series race with tire nightmare of pitting every 10 laps, because the tires were going to the cords, this was a welcome treat to watch. In some cases, it made the road course racing at times, better to watch.
In the end, fans saw the victory slip away from one driver (which was a lot like the Grand-Am race yesterday with the #01 getting “What goes around, comes around” as he was a pinball, while in a fuel economy race, the # won it after the leader ran out of gas 100 yards from the finish line and the #16 couldn’t pit a line and both got passed for the victory) Marcos Ambrose, to a road course ringer that now has 4 career victories in the Nationwide Series, Ron Fellows driving the #5 Godaddy.com Chevy for JR Motorsports/Hendrick Motorsports won a rain-shortened race (48 laps of 72 laps) after pulling pit strategy and passing just about every car in sight, what a win for Ron Fellows and that #5 team.
One thing to mention, I agreed with some of drivers that NASCAR should have red flagged that race sooner, because some drivers just couldn’t see and where hydroplaning, unfortunity for Joey Lagono, the red came to late, of course when I saw Jacques Villeneuve front end after he rear ended I think the #98, the first thought was “Boy, that Toyota isn’t built like rock”, take that comment at face value.
With the NASCAR Nationwide Series not returning to Mexico in 2009, should NASCAR be racing in Canada?
Some fans have told me NO, however in this NASCAR fans opinion, yes, I believe the racing up in Montreal is good, they draw a good crowd and the Nationwide Series should continue to go north of the border racing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal at least though 2010. Its good racing in front of a huge crowd. Comments.
- Racedriven
