Speedy dry was put down from the finish line to the middle of the backstretch after Andretti [I think] blowed up. The jet blowers were up against the wall and blew it into the race cars, the grass and the pit stalls. It was like a sand storm. I did not see any going into the stands at all. I might have missed that though.
The crowd loudly cheered Montoya’s car being towed around turns 3 and 4 to the garage after the fire. It was pretty embarrassing. I know this because I was walking around the track on the “boardwalk” during this time and was between 3 and 4 when the car when by. [I was right where the accident happened on the front stretch when it happened, too. Was surrounded in the smoke. Man does it smell good.] My son asked “why do they hate Montoya so much?” I said, “because he drives just like Dale Sr. did!”
Jimmy J is not the most popular driver, but the fans cheered his victory lap and burnouts, just like they did at the spring race.
We saw some of RaceDay at the Speed stage. It was so hot. And there was no sunshade for the TV people. J. Spencer was smoking a big cigar when not on camera. K. Wallace is truly nuts, but somehow manages to hold it all together. John Roberts has a very tough job keeping things on track and with no Teleprompter.
This race sold out with two days to go. Last year, it sold out with 3 weeks to go. The market is soft. ISC will not be expanding our new balcony any time soon. With expansion, Richmond could seat 150,000, but for some reason, there just is not a demand for that many tickets.
The racin at the end with Stuart, Johnson, Jr was some of the best I have ever seen. And Ragan thrilled the fans too. At first we though he wrecked Jr. and that he would be the new “hated one.” But when Jr. did not come down pit road but when straight to the garage, we realized quickly that it was another blown engine.
The person giving the pledge of allegiance had a bit of nerves and forgot the words part way through.
Other boos were for JPM, Kurt and Shrub.
I have to disagree with "“why do they hate Montoya so much?” I said, “because he drives just like Dale Sr. did!”
JPM is a real hothead and an inexperienced driver in Nascar. He's getting better but needs to learn the ropes if he would just let his stubborness go. He's too cocky. Dale Sr "moved" people out of the way on purpose. He was driven to win and for the most part used his intimidator image to scare people into moving, if they didn't he gave them the bumper and depending on the skill of that driver or the kind of bump they got some wrecked.
Dale had his share of boos for awhile until the fans began to like his success and his character as a man off the track.
Thanks for sharing that with us...