Dodge Boys Shrink in 2010 and RIR Race Results

Richmond International Raceway’s (RIR) three-quarter-mile oval is one of the country’s best tracks. The track is fast and racecars are always in view of all spectators. What I like best about RIR is the fact that as a spectator you can actually get up and walk around the track during the race: as long as you don’t stop and get too close to the fence line to view the racing, the event staff will allow you to continue your journey. Walking around when the cars are racing just 50 feet away from you, well, that’s an experience that you don’t get anywhere else.

Tonight’s race has many story lines: the race to get into the Chase; Denny Hamlin’s win at his home racetrack; Dodge having two teams in the Chase; but the biggest news is the fact there will only be three Dodge Boys next year as Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) moves to Fords.

Tonight’s racing began after a little rain pushed through the area and delayed the start of the race by several minutes. But soon racing was underway, and all night you got the feeling that the drivers competing for the Chase Championship, especially those on the bubble, were trying to push things softly. Don’t drive on the very edge of the envelope; instead be ready for your competitor’s mistake and then make your move.

The ultimate tight rope situation involved the competition between Kyle Busch and Brian Vickers, they would battle each other all night and at the checkered flag it would be Kyle Busch finding himself on the outside of the Chase field.

It was Denny Hamlin’s night. He was up front the entire evening, and nothing short of his car blowing up or getting caught up in a crash, was going to stop him from winning this year. Not long ago, Denny used to be one of the 100,000 plus spectators in the grandstands—cheering on his favorite drivers. He has wanted this win for a while and although close at times, something would always happen. Tonight he closed the deal, winning the Chevy Rock-n-Roll 400 at RIR.

Kasey Kahne (#9 Budweiser, Charger) and Kurt Busch (#2 Miller Lite, Charger), the two key Dodge-sponsored race teams of RPM and Penske, just wanted to secure themselves in the Chase. Stay away from any potential accidents, make it through the evening as clean as possible, finish with a top 15 finish or better and all would be well.

The fact is both did better than that. In the final laps of the race, Kurt had his car dialed in and was closing on Denny, finishing a strong second. Kasey was further back in the field, but he finished well ahead of where he needed to be to secure his spot in the Chase Championship. As the checkered flag fell here’s where all the Dodge Boys finished this evening:

#2 (Miller Lite), Kurt Busch, 2nd
#77 (Mobil 1), Sam Hornish, Jr., 8th
#9 (Budweiser), Kasey Kahne, 12th
#43 (Reynolds Wrap), Reed Sorenson, 16th
#44 (Paralyzed Veterans of America), A.J. Allmendinger, 23rd
#12 (Penske Racing), David Stremme, 26th
#19 (Insignia), Elliott Sadler, 34th

By far the biggest news coming out this week was the news RPM racing is moving to Fords in 2010. What? The King’s moving his team’s stable over to race for the Blue Oval? Say this isn’t so—please! It’s being called a “business decision.” Well, that’s a polite way of saying “we were offered more money to change manufacturers.”

We all know the economy has been bad; Chrysler has gone bankrupt, has reemerged—but times are bleak at the factories. When asked to comment on the RPM’s 2010 race plans, Dodge President and CEO Mike Accavitti said: “Dodge’s plan — to be a championship contender in 2010 with Penske Racing and a solid lineup of drivers — has not changed. We remain firmly focused on our objectives to be the leading manufacturer in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, win races and compete for the Sprint Cup at the right level.” (Associated Press). But having only one company-sponsored team with three race cars in its stable isn’t going to cut it, not in today’s NASCAR. Maybe, back in 1969, it would have; this was the last time Richard Petty himself drove a Ford—briefly, I might add.

Finally, there is yet another blow to a Dodge race team: it’s been confirmed this week that Pat Tryson, the crew chief of Kurt Busch’s #2 Miller Lite Dodge will be leaving at the end of this year for Michael Waltrip Racing and Toyota.

So next year we’ll have fewer Chrysler cars on the track. Fewer A++ crew chiefs, fewer top drivers: yep, all is going well. I’m a die-hard Chrysler fanatic—who is in charge of NASCAR planning for the new Chrysler? Who allowed Kasey to fall back into the Ford camp—think of all the advertising that has gone down the drain? If this keeps up there will be no competitive race teams on Saturdays and Sundays. This merger of Fiat-Chrysler better get rolling at the local dealerships, and on the racetracks! Or the new company might find itself on the outside of automobile industry all together—sooner than it thinks!

For now, let’s take solace in the fact we have two highly competitive Dodge teams in the 2009 Chase. With 10 races remaining maybe one of them can climb to the top, and be crowned Sprint Cup Champion for 2009.

J.R.
12 Sep 2009

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