General

Nationwide in 500 words or less: Ragan wins more than a trophy!

Aug 22, 2009, 10:42 AM UTC

If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

With the Nationwide Series race falling on a Friday and the University of South Alabama on the verge of its first season of NCAA football, I present to you a shortened version of my typical B-Series recap. I have newspaper obligations throughout the week so I apologize to you the reader, as well as Fearless Leader for my lack of posts.

I do promise to all of you that I’ll be giving you material in the future that will make you both rant and rave as well as toss numerous pestiferous profanities towards my mother.

The Nationwide Recap can be found after the jump.

Entering Friday night, David Ragan was feeling the heat. Many were starting to label Ragan as the weak-link of the Roush-Fenway conglomerate despite Jamie McMurray getting the boot from team execs last month.

Making matters worse, Ragan was entering a track that he had struggled with his entire career. He was 0-for at Bristol throughout every stop to the Coliseum in his NASCAR career but on Friday night he broke through, winning the Food City 250.

Ragan held off teammate Carl Edwards over the last 56 laps, including a green-white-checker to win his second NASCAR race of 2009.

In the process, Ragan also won a little respect from both his peers and from fans that may have started to think that Ragan was another bust.

“We didn’t come here to finish second, but he’s a great guy, and a great teammate,” Edwards said. “If you guys don’t have a David Ragan hat or T-shirt, you need to go get one. There’s no better guy out there.”

It’s the respect that Edwards gave his teammate that likely kept him employed in one of NASCAR’s top-tier teams. But the skills that Ragan showed on Friday night should keep him there. Jack Rouse knows what a talented driver is and there is no reason to start doubting in what he sees in Ragan. Here’s to hoping that those skills translate over to Cup before the end of the season.

Friday was not a complete bummer for the runner-up. Edwards saw his deficit to points leader Kyle Busch drop to 248 after Busch was involved in a early wreck with rookie Chase Austin.

Apparently, Austin cut down in front of Busch in an attempt to get to pit road before his spotter cleared him.

Austin cut down into the race-leading Busch and destroyed both race cars.

Kudos goes to Busch who controlled his temper and was very sympathetic to Austin in a post-accident interview.

“Real unfortunate that it happened,” Busch said. “I’ve made mistakes too. Chase, I guess, didn’t have the spotter telling him the leaders were bearing down. It stinks.”

I love Kyle’s emotions and commitment to winning. But a little humility and regard to other drivers will help him go a long way to winning over new fans. Those three lines did more to get me off his back than any victory has. Keep it up Kyle.

Word is going around that this was a very interesting race and I hate that I missed it. Saturday should make up for it greatly and I hope to see all of you in the race thread! One last congratulation to David Ragan and continued success.

TOP 10:

1. David Ragan

2. Carl Edwards

3. Brad Keselowski

4. Kevin Harvick

5. Matt Kenseth

6. Jason Leffler

7. Clint Bowyer

8. Michael Annett

9. Paul Menard

10. Michael McDowell

Nationwide Points: