Close... But Not Quite

eWe all know that Dale Earnhardt Jr is NASCARs most popular driver. After Martinsville Kevin Harvick must be the most un-popular driver...

However, for the second week in a row Kevin Harvick has driven his way to the front in the closing stages... and what a closer, and what finishes!!

We also all know that Dale Earnhardt Jr has a 98, now 99, race long winless streak that he would love to break. The good thing for Junior Nation is that their driver is now in contention, now up front!

However at Martinsville I hoped for more. Not because he didn’t win, but in the way in which he raced for the lead. I hoped for a battle... I expected a fight... I was looking forward to a struggle... I wanted some good ol’ fashioned short track rubbin’ for the win... What I got were the top drivers not wanting to be the “bad guy”. Before you turn on me, I understand that Junior got loose and Harvick had the quicker car. Not much was going to stop the 29 but I loved it when the 88 moved the 18 with about 20 to go, and wished for more at the end...

The 88 wasn’t the only car looking good. Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin as always, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer were always up there. One drive who raced well and finished well was JPM. The driver who used to have a distinct lack of patience on the short tracks looked pretty good on one!

We did get to see a very good short track race! Some very good tight racing, some good bump’n’runs, some good wrecks... and a very good finish.

I am glad the 88 car is up finally racing up front, and it was good to see him drive well throughout the race, and the emotion he showed after the race shows how much he cares. In the off-season I said that for the 88 to win races, first he must be in contention, so it's all good so far this year.

Another great race... however... Next time, don’t be afraid to be the “bad guy” and be the poster boy NASCAR needs...