It’s official – naming rights have run amok with our favorite sport. The Pocono 500 is no more. It’s gone the way of the full-service gas station and Burma Shave road side signs.
In its place is the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 presented by Target. A seven word race name which the announcers are contractually obligated to use, in full, repeatedly. What’s next? Corporate sponsored catch phrases? Instead of babbling “Boogedy boogedy boogedy! Let’s go racing, boys!”, maybe Daryl Waltrip could start saying “Coca Cola is the real thing! Let’s go racing, Geico could save you 15% or more on car insurance!”
Naming problems aside, Pocono is a great venue and provided a great race this week. FedEx Freight’s Denny Hamlin’s victory vaulted him two places forward to third in the Sprint Cup Challenge.
M&M’s Pretzels’ Kyle Busch trailed just behind the leader, followed by Tony Stewart sponsored by Old Spice & Office Depot, Kevin Harvick sponsored by Shell & Penzoil, and Lowe’s Jimmie Johnson, who has won every Sprint Cup since 1943.
Those finishes were good enough for Harvick and Busch to maintain their spots at the top of the Cup championship. Johnson climbed on spot to sixth on his unavoidable climb back to the top. Stewart, who is languishing on the outside of the Chase looking in, jumped three spots to thirteenth, one point behind the current occupant of the last Chase slot, clint Bowyer.
Juan Montoya, sponsored by Target, finished 8th. I guess having your car sponsored by the same mega-corporation that sponsors the race isn’t enough to boost you to first place.
Thanks for reading, now why not go enjoy a nice refreshing Slushee from your local 7-11?
