Green-White-Checkers

Stop #7: Texas

By Ryan Frisco



In 1992, Bruton Smith had a great idea.  NASCAR had been around for over 40 years, and had gained great popularity on the National Stage.  As the sport continued to grow and expand, Smith thought outside the box and presented an idea that would change the sport forever; NASCAR under the lights.  Originally viewed as a questionable call, NASCAR gave Smith the go ahead to host the 1992 All Star Race at night at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway.  NASCAR would never be the same.

Photo Cred www.blog.al.com

Bruton brought in lights to place all around the track.  The race was televised Nationally, with a full audience in attendance to see the first race run under the lights.  The race didn't count, it was an All Star race.  There were no points involved.  But for every driver who was lucky enough to be part of the race, it was the start of something new.  The last lap of the race turned out to be one of the sport's defining moments.  Coming into the final turn of the race, Kyle Petty and Dale Earnhardt were banging doors for the win.  Earnhardt ended up spinning out, as Davey Allison caught up to Petty. Allison and Petty were side by side coming out of the final turn.  Davey inched across the finish line ahead of Kyle before being spun out into the outside wall.  The crowd went crazy as the victorious car lay mangled in the infield grass.  When people think of NASCAR, they think of this moment in history.  Please watch below.

Why am I telling you this?  Because this Saturday night NASCAR is holding it's first of 11 races under the lights.  That is what that one All Star race back in 1992 has turned into.  Since then, tracks have been going crazy installing lights around the track so that they may one day have the opportunity to host one of these coveted night races.  Prime time baby.  There is such a draw when races go under the lights.  I don't exactly know why, but these are the races I look forward to the most.  There is an added intensity, added emotion in these races.  The times the drivers get the most upset with one another is at these races.  It's a mystery why these races are so awesome, but when Bruton Smith came up with this idea in 1992, I don't think even he knew what it would lead to.  This is probably a big contributing factor to his nomination for the NASCAR Hall of Fame this year.

So, Texas.  This Saturday night will be interesting, as is every race.  What to expect? 

Photo Cred www.usatoday.com

I've only got one thing this week; Rousch Racing will be fast.  They have lingered in the lower half of the Top 10 and the teens so far this year, keeping them all in the Top 15 in points.  This track is where they excel.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Greg Biffle win much like he did last year.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Carl Edwards with a Top 3 finish.  Heck, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Rickey Stenhouse, Jr. record his first Top 10 of the season.  You won't see many crashes most likely, there won't be too high drama like we've seen, but one thing's for sure; Rousch will be a contender.

So who will win?  Oh what the heck, I'll go with the favorite this week and choose Greg Biffle.  I think it's his race to lose this time around.  Go get 'em Bif!