Quote from AAAintheBeltway:
I give credit to Jacque Villaneuve for staying out of trouble and proving the doubters wrong. Still, it was a bad decision to let him use Talladega as his first race.
Class act. Jackie V qualifies sixth, but
voluntarily elects to move to the back of the pack in an effort to avoid any mishaps which might alter the outcome of the championship. The guy sets ego aside and does the right thing, when clearly, the decision to allow his first start at Talladega occurred after cash exchanged hands. Nobody ever accused the NASCAR brass of having worked on rockets. That is for sure.
Gotta' hand it to the #24 bunch as well. An uncharacteristic pit road penalty appears to ruin their day, when Lady Luck causes Bobby Labonte to pull a Ricky Bobby, and turn left - well before the straightaway hand ended. The penalty keeps Gordo 1.75 miles away from the wreck, and the subsequent caution, catches the #24 back up with the rest of the field.
Also, I don't want to hear Johnson complain about Jeff jumping out in front of the #20. Gordo followed his teammate (unlike Hamlin) right up until Jeff had a shot to win it all.
I can hear Jeff now ...
"Tony is flying up the right side. I can A. Stay here and finish
fifth. Or I can B. jump out in front of The Home Depot Chevy and win this thing right now with half a mile to go before the checkered flag. C'ya Jimmie!!"
Easy decision.
- Spydertrader