Thursday, May 1, 2008

Desperate Times

The well know expression reads like something like this "desperate times call for desperate measures" that my friends is the secret to racing at Talladega.

I spoke with no less than a half dozen drivers this past week that felt like Talladega was thier best and perhaps their only chance to win this season. This desperation fuels drivers to hang it out on the ragged edge and take chances they normally wouldn't.

If you think your only going be served four meals a year; you would eat up on those four ocassions, this same mentality exist with drivers when it comes to restrictor plate racing. They believe if the circumstances are favorable they can win: just get the right dance partner, avoid the big wreck , make the right move and suddenly fortune will smile on you.

The list of drivers who's only wins have come at Talladega is impressive, Brian Vickers, Phil Parsons, Ron Bouchard and Lennie Pond; these names are known to all, and trust me the drivers know everytime they start at Dega it might be their turn to pull the upset.   

Sure the restroctor plates and high banks help but it's the desperation that makes the difference. Desperate times can also make for great racing.