The Bump and Run Open
Well that was fun! Just as NASCAR wants the “Open” and the All Star Challenge.
Saturday night, 30 lap feature event, no points, and a million bucks at stake. With that scenario in place the Open ended just as it should, with a classic bump and run performed on Mike Bliss by Brian Vickers that earned him a shot at the cool mil. Do I think Vickers did it on purpose? No way of knowing short of being a mind reader or inside the #25 as at happened.
So what’s the problem? None, end of story. But there is no doubt the media will play it into some sort of hyped up “feud.” this week.
The only sour note is the fan voting for transfering their favorite to the All Star race. By closing voting before the start of the Open NASCAR may have prevented Mike Bliss from getting the nod to start. Pure speculation, but it is possible.
Open Results Pos (No) Driver, Car, Laps
1. (25) Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 30
2. (0) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 30
3. (77) Travis Kvapil, Dodge, 30
4. (5) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 30
5. (32) Bobby Hamilton Jr., Chevrolet, 30
6. (41) Casey Mears, Dodge, 30
7. (7) Robby Gordon, Chevrolet,30
8. (21) Ricky Rudd, Ford, 30
9. (49) Ken Schrader, Dodge, 30
10. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 30
11. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 30
12. (43) Jeff Green, Dodge, 30
13. (40) Sterling Marlin, Dodge, 30
14. (42) Jamie McMurray, Dodge, 30
15. (22) Scott Wimmer, Dodge, 30
16. (50) Jimmy Spencer, Dodge, 30
17. (07) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, 30
18. (4) Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, 30
19. (37) Kevin Lepage, Dodge, 30
20. (66) Hermie Sadler, Ford, 30
21. (60) Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, 30
22. (45) Kyle Petty, Dodge, 30
23. (36) Boris Said, Chevrolet, 30
24. (11) Jason Leffler, Chevrolet, 30
25. (27) Kirk Shelmerdine, Ford, 30
26. (92) Eric McClure, Chevrolet, 20 1/2 + 1 3/4
27. (89) Morgan Shepherd, 6 1/2 + 2 3/4
28. (10) Scott Riggs, 2 1/2 + 2 3/4
I think that NASCAR should do away with the fan vote, too. Take the winners from the Open races. There was only 2 right? Didn’t Kvapil win the first part? Anyway, if Bliss thought that Vickers wouldn’ try the Bump and Run, he’s crazy. It’s the Winston, fer cryin’ out loud! A Dash for Cash!
The fan vote is here to stay. NASCAR essentially copied other sports playoffs and came up with the Chase.
Humpy Wheeler started the All Star race and NASCAR added the fan vote like baseball has. But I do think shifting the all star race to a different venue is a good idea.
All the NC, SC,Va fans would all scream if it ran in the west but it would fit right in with NASCARS expansion and attempts to broaden its base.