Kevin Carver Commentary 7-4-06

Said, Speechless After Daytona Finish

July 4, 2006

Kevin Carver - SCR

Boris Said is your typical race car driver, but not a NASCAR regular. Said who averages around three races a year in the Nextel Cup Series lived what could perhaps be called a "dream weekend" in Daytona.

After scoring the pole on Thursday night at the beach, Said went on to finish the weekend fourth in Saturday night's Pepsi 400. "That’s like a win for us and for everyone at Sobe No Fear energy drink and thanks to everybody at Roush Racing," claimed Said. It was shocking to find Boris on the pole, but everybody became even more stunned as Boris led the event with just three laps to go. It would not be Said's night though in victory lane, as Tony Stewart and the Busch brothers were able to get by the No.60 of Said with just two laps remaining. Still the famous road course ace fell in line behind those three and claimed his first top five finish since his third place effort at Watkins Glen last year. That particular finish at Watkins Glen was his best career Cup finish.

Since beginning in the series as just a road course racer in 1999, Said has complied six top tens and two top fives in his 23 race starts in Nextel Cup. The most Cup events that Boris started in one year was actually in 2005 where he participated in nine events. Although, Boris is not a regular in the series, he did pick up his second top ten in a row. The week before Said collected a ninth place finish at Infineon Raceway, which is no real surprise.

There is also something else to remember. You have to give credit to Frankie Stoddard (Said’s Crew Chief) who actually put Boris in the position that he was in on Saturday night. Stoddard decided to leave Boris on the race track following a late caution flag that sent most everybody else to the pits. That decision alone, gave Boris a chance to win and that is all that any driver in this business can ask for. Stoddard has plenty of experience as crew chief. Frankie helped push Jeff Burton to 17 victories while calling the shots at Roush for Burton until mid 2004. Seeing what was performed in the Pepsi 400 this past weekend it seems Stoddard has not lost his touch as crew chief and it shows that Roush still believes in the New England native.

While most were stunned of the outcome of a fourth place finish, Boris from Carlsbad, California seemed to be the most in shock after climbing out of his Ford Fusion. "I'm speechless, I just can’t believe it – a top five at Daytona, I’m psyched," an excited Said commented. With Roush Racing looking to better themselves on the road courses and Said aiming to create good finishes at the ovals, one thing is for sure. Both Roush and Said benefited for two weekend's in a row. Jack ended up with all of his cars finishing in the top 18 at Sonoma, but only time will tell if Said can get that Nextel Cup winner's trophy that he has so longed for.

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The views and opinions in this article are that of the writer and not necessarily that of SCR