So we’ve seen the Hendrick-powered cars and the Chevrolets as a whole, seemingly dominate the last two flat tracks. Race fans have been asking me once we get to the road course this weekend and back to the banked tracks, will we see resurgence from the Toyota and Ford camps?
The Toyota situation is a head-scratcher to me right now. Sunday’s race at Pocono was their first race back at full song and full power since they had backed off the engines due to a rash of engine failures back in late May and early June. What was surprising to me was how the Toyota cars were basically a non-factor. Actually they were more of a factor in the June Pocono race when they had come down on power, than they were this past Sunday.
Now, sure, Kyle Busch sat on the outside pole and got the only Toyota top-10 finish, but again, even he was a non-factor Sunday. So, again, this one has me scratching my head a bit. The picture was a little bit better from the Ford camp.
There were three Fords in the top 10 at the end of Sunday’s race and, actually five Fords in the top 12. Teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano led the Blue Oval Brigade by finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Then you had Greg Biffle in 10th. He was followed by his teammate, Carl Edwards, in 11th and then Marcos Ambrose was 12th.
Now, there is no question this weekend, whether it’s the actual teams or the horsepower they are generating, running on the road course of Watkins Glen will equal that out. Actually, in two weeks when we return to Michigan, it will be a better measuring stick of where the three manufacturers stack up, because as we all know, Michigan is a place where you want all the horsepower the motor-room can give you.
