The calendar says it should be spring, but the weather says it still is winter. Bristol, Tennessee, certainly experiences weather variation throughout the year, although the hope is that late March is a warmer time of year than the dead of winter. This year, we've seen colder track temperatures when we wouldn't normally expect them, including the Las Vegas weekend a couple of weeks ago. Bristol marks the first time we have actually seen snow during a race event this year (and possibly for memorable history in past seasons) causing a delay in the action.
The Sharpie Mini 300 Busch race was a little unique from the weather aspect as well as being the first race in the series to be run for 300 laps versus previous races at 250 laps. The longer length would probably have been welcomed in past years for those wanting to get more racing action; this year, it was more time in the cold. According to temperature readings during the race, the air temperature did not even get past the 40 degree Fahrenheit mark and track temperatures stayed below 50 degrees. This may have been the first time where the outside temperature was almost the same as the banking (36 degrees) of the track in the corners.
As for the race itself, strong runs were turned in by a handful of drivers, most notably the "Buschwhacker" bunch of Cup drivers. The leader of the most laps (120) was Kevin Harvick, who ultimately finished in the second place spot. He lost out to Kyle Busch, who took the lead from Greg Biffle with only 12 laps remaining and then led the way to the finish line. Speaking of Biffle, he led 48 of the 300 laps but suffered a loose tire late to require a green-flag pit stop and fell back to finish only in 28th. Matt Kenseth, his Roush teammate, ran strong to finish in third place but did not lead any laps in the event. The second-most laps were led by Carl Edwards (65), who ran strong in the middle of the race and ended up in the fifth position. Only two other drivers, Denny Hamlin (fourth) and Michael Waltrip (26th), led laps in the race.
Through six races on the season, there have been six different winners. ALL of them have been Cup regulars. The Cup drivers are also dominating the points standings, where Kevin Harvick stands alone at the top, 121 points clear of second place JJ Yeley. Johnny Sauter is the highest standing non-Cup, full-time Busch driver in the sixth position. Right behind Sauter is Busch rookie Burney Lamar, who continues to run well and sits in the seventh spot. Kyle Busch improved his standing to 14th with today's win and is now 280 points behind Harvick.
The strong performers in Saturday's Busch race should also be expected to do well in Sunday's Food City 500. Historically strong active drivers at Bristol have included past winners Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Terry Labonte, among others. Busch success does not always equal Cup success, but in recent history, the Busch winner has also won the Cup race. Kevin Harvick claimed victory in both spring races in 2005 while Dale Earnhardt Jr did the same in the fall race in 2004. Last year, Ryan Newman claimed the August Busch race, but Matt Kenseth won the Cup race.
Some drivers, particularly those newer to Bristol racing, will be looking to survive the event without significant damage, either to their cars or their standings in the points. Notable drivers, like Kurt Busch or Carl Edwards, will be looking at the Cup race on Sunday as a chance to move up in the standings after disappointing opening race finishes to date. Edwards certainly should have gained some confidence with Saturday's race, leading laps and getting a top 5 finish. Busch, the older, probably watched younger brother Kyle's victory with interest as he looks to reinvigorate his season and reconnect with his winning ways at the World's Fastest Half Mile.
No matter the victor, the Bristol Motor Speedway will once again provide great drama, and racing fans everywhere should be delighted by it.
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