The NASCAR brain trust decided that it would be neat to have Emory Healthcare’s 500th heart transplant patient give the ceremonial “gentlemen, start your engines” at the Emory Healthcare 500. It was kind of cool, but I couldn’t help but worry the whole time that the poor guy’s new heart was going to give out under all that stress. It worked out just fine, though, and we were off to the races.
All-time best named NASCAR driver Scott Speed had the most dramatic moment of the night when his engine exploded, engulfing his car in flames on pit road. Denny Hamilin, who needed nothing from this race because he’d already locked his spot in the Sprint Cup Chase, took a very early exit due to engine troubles of his own.
There was a lot of movement within the top twelve with seven drivers changing places. But at the end of the night the same twelve drivers were in the chase and the same handful of guys were on the outside looking in. Ryan Newman inched closer while Jamie McMurray and Mark Martin drifted farther from their goal. The bottom line for those drivers fighting for the final spot is that one of them needs to have a strong–really strong, like winning strong–finish next week at Richmond to make up the 100+ point differential on Clint Bowyer. Even that won’t be enough unless Bowyer has an atrocious outing in the final race before the Sprint Cup Chase begins.
One final thought about the Emory Healthcare 500 in Atlanta - Kasey Kahne didn’t hesitate to show his displeasure on the track Sunday night; NASCAR should not waste any time in showing him their disapproval of his recklessness on Monday.
Oh, yeah - Tony Stewart won.
