Is Darlington any place to visit after the wildness of Kansas?
Looks like Throwback Weekend came a week early. We had a lot of on-track anger – especially from Kyle Busch’s in-car radio – and some final-lap beatin’ and bangin’ that the old-timers will tell you used to be pretty common (it wasn’t, by the way).
Oh, and an honest-to-goodness punch was thrown during the post-race “cool-down.” Isn’t it awkward when the guy facing off (Noah Gragson, in this instance) is the guy who only takes one punch (from Ross Chastain)?
In fairness, Noah did throw a punch, but security stopped it. Not sure if that says more about the security man’s strength or Noah’s lack of it.
Goodness, who has Kansas in the “Where will all hell break loose” pool?
NASCAR POLL Ross Chastain vs. Noah Gragson? Denny Hamlin’s bumper? Um, pass? What comes first in Kansas? vote!
NASCAR SPEED FREAKS Ross Chastain punches, Denny Hamlin punts, and now Darlington? Yes!
The coming weekend should restore calm, right?
Here’s the thing: You never know. You go to Darlington, where the traffic lane is narrower than Richard Petty’s trouser leg, expecting all kinds of chaos, and a church picnic might break out.
Can be.
I didn’t hear the church bells, did I? Sunday’s dance with the Lady in Black has all the makings of unforgettable TV.
For good measure, Ryan Newman returns to NASCAR this week with Rick Ware Racing, Chase Elliott’s father will spend time in the Fox TV booth, and so will Carl Edwards. That’s right – cousin Carl, who’s been going full Greta Garbo since retirement, dropped by to say hey.
You know, you never mentioned the Kansas winner?
A lot has happened, you know.
You’ve got to love Denny Hamlin’s willingness to play rough with Kyle Larson, as well as Larson’s willingness to accept it for what it is – a tight final-lap battle for the win, exactly when such things happen. If Denny had gotten the physical in Stage 1 or 2, Kyle might not have been so understanding.
Kyle will surely return the favor when the opportunity arises, and Denny will accept it in a gentlemanly manner. OK … maybe.
This article originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR: On to Darlington with Ross Chastain … and Carl Edwards!
