BROOKLYN, Mich. — Yes, there was oil on the track during the closing laps at Watkins Glen, but NASCAR’s decision not to throw a caution on the final circuit helped produce one of the most compelling finishes of the season.
Race winner Marcos Ambrose and runner-up Brad Keselowski did the rest. Their all-out battle enthralled veteran driver Carl Edwards, who couldn’t stop watching replays of the final lap.
“As frustrating as it was for some drivers to not have the caution thrown, it was very, very entertaining,” Edwards said. “I really enjoyed watching it. That’s a rarity for me. I don’t usually go home and watch videos of the race I was just in 10 times in a row.
“That was a very exciting race. I think that in the end, for the sport, NASCAR did a good job letting everybody figure it out on their own. I don’t know all the things that led up to that decision or lack of decision to throw a caution, but I think it worked out in favor of good entertainment.”
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
- NASCAR to debut new short track package at Phoenix - February 28, 2023
- The Wrench Who Stole Racing - December 16, 2022
- Matt DiBenedetto’s excellent run comes to abrupt, violent end - February 17, 2019
