Joe Jacobs Commentary 7-10-06

Revenge and Debris

July 10, 2006

Joe Jacobs - SCR

Jeff Gordon got his revenge today against Matt Kenseth. It was obvious from all the replay footage that Gordon just ran in to Kenseth. It was uncalled for I will admit but Matt Kenseth is the one fans should be upset with.

The reason being is if he has so much passion for his race team and himself as a driver, he should have done what the fans wanted and what Gordon did to him at Bristol. He should have gone down to victory lane and pushed Gordon around.

To be a champion, you must be ruthless and cutthroat. Gordon is that and he has showed it time and time again. It is rare that a clean driver wins the championship. Mark Martin is all the proof that one needs.

This year, to be the champion, one must drive dirty and want it more. If Kenseth is going to win this championship and take it way from the drivers who are willing to go that route, he must get his hands dirty.

For all of the latest grass roots racing action

Gordon did it to Kenseth Sunday; it’s only fair that he returns the favor. The fans showed their displeasure by throwing trash and bottles at Gordon, which I cannot condone but I can understand where the fans are coming from. They must show their displeasure somehow.

Jeff Gordon did what he had to do Sunday; the fans did what they had to do, now the question is will Matt Kenseth do what he has to do to regain his respect?

Dude Where’s the Debris?

It happened again this week and it seems to happen every week. At the height of a long green flag run it never fails that debris always falls on the race track that has had no accidents.

It is understandable that debris will fall off racecars from time to time. But it just seems that it happens too often when the race reaches a boring point. I can’t complain I guess because the cautions always seem to change the complex of the racing and give fans a chance to refill their beverages and make a pit stop of their own.

But NASCAR could be honest with the fans and call them what they really are “competition cautions” like your local Saturday night short track has. NASCAR has done it for years but it just seems like it’s more frequent in races.

Debris cautions happened twice Sunday according to my count. NASCAR be honest with the fans and announce before a race that after 80 laps of green flag racing, you will throw a caution flag. We all know it is going to happen, so it is not like you are keeping any big secret.

SCR is looking for writers, if interested email us at scr@stockcarreview.com to request further information.