Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Nationwide Winner: The John Deere Dealers 250 Race in Review

I love to say I told you so. So here it is, “I told you so”. I have been saying all year that a Nationwide Driver would win at least one race this year. Maybe more. Ricky Stenhouse proved me right. And he proved that the Nationwide Series is not just Sprint Cup’s playground. Ricky did it by beating out both Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. It was a great achievement for Stenhouse, and it will not be his last win in NASCAR.

Nascar.com’s headline read, “Stenhouse holds off Edwards.” Wait what? I didn’t see Edwards make up any ground, nor did Edwards even lead the most laps, that was Reed Sorenson. Why did Carl’s name even have to be in the headline?

Where’s the love?

In my local newspaper, there was a half page article. That article said “Danica Patrick finally qualifies for Indy 500.” At the end of that article was a bold, “Stenhouse wins at Iowa” with three sentences. Another slight.

Instead of the Black and Gold Angus Beef Ford splashed across newpapers and sites, we get Danica Patrick articles and no respect headlines. (Note: Now Nascar.com has articles about Stenhouse that do not feature Carl’s name in them.) MSN.com doesn’t even have Stenhouse’s win on the homepage, it has a Danica article.

Same goes for the homepage of CBSSports.com. Once you click on their Nascar tab, this is what you get “Stenhouse Jr First Nationwide Driver to PULL OFF VICTORY” No respect.

Stenhouse didn’t Pull off a victory, he won a race. He did it by having a great car, and by driving a great race.

He didn’t steal one, he didn’t hold off anyone, he was the best at the end of the race, and crossed the line first. Even the broadcasters on ABC were just waiting for Carl Edwards to beat him. Saying things like, “He might just do it” and “Can he hold him off”. It’s sad and sickening.

I’ve never heard Jimmie Johnson pulling off victory, or Kyle Busch holding off Elliott Sadler for win. It’s just stated. Jimmie Johnson wins. Kyle Busch wins. Ricky Stenhouse wins. Period. Even if you don’t like Ricky, which I’m not sure why you wouldn’t, you have to be happy to see a Nationwide -only driver win.

Stenhouse didn’t get beat by better equipment, he beat the better equipment by driving better.

Results and Points after the JUMP!

Michael McDowell went a long way to showing people he’s better than a Start and Park driver. Drew Herring impressed as well. Austin Dillon continued to shine and Stenhouse, Sorenson, Sadler and Allgaier again proved that they are the best Nationwide drivers this year. That shows in the top 10 in points. Here’s how they stand:

Herring and McDowell helped keep Joe Gibbs at the top of the Owner’s Championship. Here’s the battle:

With the #16 car not entered this past Sunday, that ment the team cannot be locked in for the remainder of the year. This locked the 31st car into next weekend. Here’s how they shape up:

Yep that’s Morgan Shepherd locked in for next week. Speaking of next week, join us later in the week for a preview of the Top Gear 300 from Charlotte! Enjoy!