Turn 1 - This week's Take on Bristol Race

THIS WEEK'S TAKE - by Judy Kay

Oct. 23, 2011: Let's take bets on how many times the announcers say "two car tandem" today on the Cup race broadcast. Let's see, probably once per lap, so maybe 200 times? That might be a stretch, but we get it. It's almost like they are one car. They practiced together, they qualified in order, they share the same television space. When I think of Kurt Busch (which I try not to do) I think of Regan Smith. Dale Jr.? Jimmie Johnson. Mark Martin? Jeff Gordon. Carl Edwards? Greg Biffle. I was thinking that Matt might have got the short end of the Roush shaft, but David Ragan isn't too shabby at these restrictor plate venues, so Matt will have a great "dancing partner". (How many times do you think we'll hear THAT phrase today?) The Cat in the Hat has announced that no Ford will push another manufacturer, so he might have limited his teams. This is a race where you can't really put restrictions on your guys, because it is truly a crap shoot. Yesterday in the Truck Race, the race made for some strange bedfellows, I'm thinking mostly of Austin Dillion and Kyle Busch. Wasn't it just earlier this year when Richard Childress was smacking Kyle around, telling him he didn't like the way he raced? Oh how things change when winning is on the line! I do like this kind of racing, mostly because of the exciting finishes. I was at a race in Talladega when Bobby Hamilton won a caution free race. And although I enjoyed the whole ambiance of the race, it was a little boring. Yes, I said it, a race was a bit boring. And the cars and trucks are going so fast! Yesterday those trucks were traveling upwards of 192 mph. That is flat scooting. When the Cup cars were qualifying, with only one car on track, it looked like they were crawling. Of course, they were going a little under 15 mph less then they will today. With these incredible speeds, and with the cars sliding back and forth on each other's bumpers, there is bound to be some hard crashes. And after last weekend's fatality crash at Las Vegas, I can imagine that some may start the race by tiptoeing around each other. But not for long, I bet. These drivers are doing what they love, and they are brave, if not reckless, men. Brave in a sense that they have no fear. Reckless in a sense that they have no fear. And the combination is exciting. That's what they are here for, that's what we are here for. This is big-time racing, both literally and figuratively. Nothing can really compare to this venue, what it means to the Chase, the making and breaking of dreams. I find myself sitting on the edge of my seat, whether I am there in person, or at home on my couch. It's not one I will record, to watch at my leisure. It's one of the best two Sundays of the year. Can you bet what the other one is? That right, the Spring Talladega race!