From the June, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider
Last Week's Headlines
The Monster Mashes that occur at Dover International Raceway twice a year offer some of the best racing on the Nextel Cup circuit. The high-banked turns and straightaways gives drivers multiple groves to race. A "grovey" race is what fans pay money to see. They want to see cars side-by-side running different grooves trying to out-muscle each other for the win.This is exactly what happened yesterday at the Neighborhood Excellence 400. I believe I saw some of the most exciting racing of the entire season in the last 30 laps. Jamie McMurray was out in front running the high grove. Multiple times, Kevin Harvick would pull up beside McMurray in the low-grove trying to complete a pass. No matter what he tried, Harvick just could not pass McMurray on the inside.
However, along came Matt Kenseth whose car was eating the inside grove like Fat Back McSwain eats pork rinds. At last, 3 laps from the end, Kenseth passed McMurray and held on to win the race. This was truly some exciting racing that even left Darrel Waltrip quivering at the end.
Other performances to note:
Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Kyle Busch all helped solidify their top 10 standing in the points race by finishing in the top 5.
Jimmie Johnson overcame a problematic day to finish 6th. Jimmie's bad day started early by beginning the race in 42nd position. 33 laps into the race, Mark Martin overtook Jimmie putting him one-lap down. Later in the race, Jimmie on separate occasions spun out twice. However, in true championship form, Johnson and his Lowe's #48 team overcame the adversity and finished in the top 10.
| See complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Race Schedule |
