Two weeks of long, 2.5-mile tracks took their toll on the drivers and the equipment. The motors were wound up at high RPMs, and the transmissions were going through the gears with each shift possibly knocking one ring out of place.
But now, those transmissions are going to get a major workout.
For the second, and final, time this year, NASCAR is making a right and going road course racing, as it is Watkins Glen International that hosts the next event. This 11-turn course has provided many great victories for talented drivers, yet also has provided some very scary and very disastrous incidents.
Who could ever forget Jimmie Johnson in a Nationwide race having his throttle hang wide open, and see him jump the gravel trap in turn 1 and plow head long into the foam barrier. Then there's the multi-car wreck in 2009 that swallowed up nine cars out of the ninth corner, including Jeff Gordon who soon after admitted he was battling back problems.
Then of course there's the unusual incident where a fan jumped the fence during a red flag and actually tried to get an autograph from Matt Kenseth...while Kenseth was still in the car.
An incident like that is unlikely to happen again, at least hopefully not, but then again there's always a chance we could see a helmet-shoving match like we saw with Juan Montoya and Kevin Harvick.
It's NASCAR's own version of "road rage" on Sunday, and the writers are prepared to see who will let it all hang out making both left and rights to victory.
Take a look at who they chose to win in the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen:
Misan Ayuka: Tony Stewart
Stewart is always the favorite when we go to Watkins Glen. With five wins and an average finish of fifth it is very easy to see why.
He won all those five in a span of seven races and with the exception of 2003 finished second in the other races. Last year he had an off race finishing seventh (for him anything below a top five is a offday) but his SHR is really to get Tony back to his dominating ways at the Glen.
James Broomhead: Marcos Ambrose
Sorry Montoya fans but Kangaroo Meat is the best road racer bar none in the Sprint Cup. That his win column in NASCAR’s three touring series is as sparse as is a testament to poor luck and heartbreaking misjudgement – that the driver admits to.
Of the two road courses on the Sprint Cup calendar, Ambrose has always stated he prefers the New York state track, so an improvement on his fifth at Sonoma must be on the cards. And that first win?
Kelly Crandall: Kurt Busch
Completely crazy pick but he did win Sonoma and he finished second at Watkins Glen last year. Busch has been on a little roll lately, finishing third at Pocono and climbing in the point standings.
This weekend he's bring the same car that he dominated Sonoma with and that can only be a good thing.
Billy Fellin: Tony Stewart
Yea, Montoya and Ambrose will be strong at The Glen, but Stewart is absolutely solid when it comes to Watkins Glen. He's in the "needs a win for the Chase really bad" group and Watkins Glen is a perfect opportunity for him to do that.
Michael Hirshbein: Marcos Ambrose
No reason given.
Christopher Leone: Marcos Ambrose
It's about freakin' time.
Kara Martin: Jeff Gordon
No reason given.
Ryan O'Hara: Marcos Ambrose
No reason given.
Dustin Parks: Tony Stewart
Up until Wednesday night, I had all intentions of going with Juan Pablo Montoya to repeat at the Glen. He was going to be the one every driver would watch, and would have to beat. But then, the focus was on Montoya's team...for all the wrong reasons.
It's funny what 10 pounds of pot will make one think, but after two crewman were caught in a drug bust with that amount on them, and subsequently getting fired from the team and suspended by NASCAR, I feel it's going to be too much of a distraction.
So, I went to my backup plan and pulled out my #2 pick, Smoke. I don't see a repeat like he had at Sonoma, and given that he's won here multiple times, I know he can get the job done.
Sal Sigala Jr: Jeff Gordon
After the death of Rick Hendrick's son, brother, nieces, engine builder, general manager, and Tony Stewart's pilot, Jimmie Johnson went to victory lane in a very emotional win.
With the death of Rick's mother this past week, along with Gordon's second place finish at Infineon Raceway, what better way to pay tribute to his long time friend and boss.
Rob Tiongson: Kurt Busch
Remember how dominant Busch was at Infineon? I think we'll see a bit of a repeat of that again, especially if he wants to have any say about closing in on that points lead.
Standings following Pocono:
Kelly Crandall (732) Kurt Busch finished third (3)
Billy Fellin (721) Denny Hamlin finished 15th (2)
James Broomhead (714) Jeff Gordon finished sixth (1)
Sal Sigala Jr. (708) Kyle Busch finished second (3)
Christopher Leone (679) Denny Hamlin finished 15th (2)
Michael Hirshbein (678) Kyle Busch finished second (3)
Ryan O'Hara (677) Jeff Gordon finished sixth (1)
Kara Martin (671) Denny Hamlin finished 15th (1)
Dustin Parks (664) Carl Edwards finished seventh (0)
Rob Tiongson (645) Jeff Gordon finished sixth (1)
Misan Ayuka (640) Carl Edwards finished seventh (3)
Final Thoughts: As you can tell, the writers have some similar ideas as to who will take the checkered flag on Sunday. That means similar finishes, possibly multiple victories, or a few angry writers.
We will not know until the checkered flag falls. NASCAR Countdown will set things off at Noon ET on ESPN. An hour later, the green flag waves with Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree once again providing the call.
Summary of Picks:
Marcos Ambrose-4
Tony Stewart-3
Kurt Busch-2
Jeff Gordon-2
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