Edwards returns to where he belongs: The Bucyrus 200 Review

I have to admit. I was a bit disappointed in who won this one. I like Edwards - in so much as I don’t hate him. He dominated this event, he deserved to win it, but I felt this was the best chance the Nationwide Series had of having a new winner this year. So far it’s been all cups guys and Justin Allgaier.

What I wasn’t disappointed in was the race itself. What an opening act for Road America. There wasn’t a clean car at the finish. Everyone was tore up. Now teams may not like that, but for us fans, we got to see some beating and banging the likes of which you only see on short tracks.

Jacques Villenueve, which is a very hard name to spell, gave Edwards the best challenge. Jacques, who Drew Blickensdorfer called JOCKS, had a great chance to win the race, had it not been for a tire rub and then an engine failure. He made some moves that few would try. I was pleased to see Paul Menard really fight it out. Menard did manage to spin out a few cars, but everyone was spinning cars in the last 14 laps. There was even a lap that 4 different cars spun out in 4 different turns. It was great to see guys like Patrick Long and J.R. Fitzpatrick run up front. Also what was nice, was that the Nationwide Regulars did pretty good. Brendan Gaughan and Steve Wallace both ran in the top 10 all day. Colin Braun got caught up in 2 different wrecks yet still came home in 11th. Trevor Bayne was fighting with Wallace and Menard for the last few laps and came home 10th. Great race for all those involved. Unless you’re the Joe Nemechek owned #87 Toyota. Antonio Perez had an engine blow, which knocked Nemechek out of the top 30 in points. And thanks to Wisconsin driver Tony Ave, Jason Keller is now inside the top 30, and will be guarenteed a starting spot at New Hampshire.

Results, points and more after the JUMP!

I was a bit disappointed that we still had 4 start and park cars. There may have been 5, but I’m not sure if Joey Scarallo really had break problems or if he gave up. That is a sponsor listed next to his name.

I mentioned that I was a bit shocked that Baker Curb pulled Scott Lagasse from the #43 car, and now I feel like it was for nothing. Kevin O’Connell wasn’t running higher than 30th when his engine went.

Ron Hornaday was an interesting choice for Kevin Harvick Inc. Hornaday was running great right until he got wrecked with Tim George Jr, who drives for Harvick’s car owner Richard Childress.

The announcers left a little something to be desired here. They were pimping Jacques as this “Marcos Ambrose” type of guy who was plowing throught guys to get to the front. Yet everyone was racing this way. Menard, Bayne, Edwards. I didn’t see anyone not getting into the back of other cars to take away position.

Brad Keselowski continued his drive for a championship. Here’s the updated points:

It’s looking a bit grim for the championship this year. Unless Keso starts to drop back, it’s his to lose.

As I mentioned above, Joe Nemechek fell from the top 30 in points and will have to qualify on time next week at New Hampshire, where the cup regulars will again return to Nationwide.

Here’s the fight for the top 35:

It should be interesting to see what Keller will do now that he’s in. Keller missed 3 races and still managed to pass Nemechek up.

I’ll have a Nationwide Preview in a few days for New Hampshire, where Danica Patrick and the Cup Regulars will return to Nationwide Action. Enjoy!