Strange Doin’s in Milwaukee
Things on the Milwaukee mile this weekend were for the most part normal. But there were couple strange incidents that made me wonder if a few ethereal visitors from the S.S. City of Milwaukee were hovering around the historic speedway.
Saturday Carl Edwards put on a display of what a Le Mans type start to qualifying would look like as he sprinted to make it on time after a flight from Sonoma:
“There’s no way to look cool and run your (tail) off,” Edwards said. “It about kills me. I can go run, like, three or four miles on a regular day, but for some reason, that 200-yard sprint is enough to about kill you.”
“Tell Carl I’ve got a new job for him - he can be a sausage racer,” quipped Wisconsin native Scott Wimmer, referring to the famed sixth-inning mascot races held at the major league baseball stadium nearby, Miller Park.
Funny stuff, but it raises a larger question, why? Why the cross-country trek for a driver that has such a large lead in the point standings? He could turn the car over to a younger driver for three races and still be leading the points.
A reverse situation occurred in the JGR pits. Aric Almirola qual’d on the pole, led 40 some laps of the first 59 then was pulled in favor of Denny Hamlin who was delayed arriving from Sonoma.
Almirola seemed to be pissed as he stomped thru the garage area and at the time the team refused to comment on the situation.
As Hamlin did the victory burn-out his crew chief claimed it was a “group decision” to pull Aric, somehow I doubt if he was part of that group. In fact I’m sure of it which is too bad.
I can sympathize with the decision made, but don’t really buy the “it’s the sponsor’s home track” excuse. Employee’s of the company came to see their car win not who drove it to that win. At the time of the switch it was just as likely Almirola would win as Hamlin.
In the end Rockwell Automation got what they wanted but it has to be a hollow victory for Almirola.
Now watch NASCAR add insult to injury by touting the win as a “first for the Diversity Program.”
Milwaukee Mile, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Sports, Denny Hamlin, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Almirola’s comments after his qualifying run showed that he had his “team player” roll well and under control. I think the quick video shot of him stomping the pits was of disappointment, rather than anger. Hamlin seemed a reluctant replacement as well.
The FranceCar soap opera continues…congrats to “Hamerola” for the win!
I don’t disagree with that Charlie. Both drivers seemed resigned to the roll they had to play. But when it went down and Aric started and got so deep into the event I had the distinct feeling Almirola was none too happy as evidenced by his leaving the track.
At this point (7:30am est) I haven’t seen any quotes from him but I expect they will be of the I’m a team player generic type when they appear.