Really, there won't be much to be remembered from
the Nextel All-Star Challenge of 2007. Especially considering the Speed Channel
had been hyping their coverage of the event for months now. Maybe it's because
of all the changes in the formats that have been seen over the years. There
certainly wasn't a finish that will be remembered as being edge of your seat
quality. Whatever the reasons may be, for fans who love the excitement generated
by this event in past years, this one left many less than satisfied.
Most of the action occurred in the Nextel Open. On the very first lap, Juan Pablo Montoya made a reckless move in turn two, taking himself along with David Gilliland, Jon Wood, Joe Nemechek, and Paul Menard out of the event. Montoya,
already unpopular by many of his fellow drivers and fans, did little to put
himself in a positive light. Mike Bliss, Boris Said, and Elliott Sadler were
involved in incidents in the first segment. In the second segment, David Ragan
and Reed Sorenson got tangled up. In the end, Martin Truex wins with Johnny Sauter taking second and the other transfer spot. Kenny Wallace got the fans
vote to get into the main show as well.
The main show did not feature too many of the fireworks that happen so often in
this event. Matt Kenseth won the first and third segment with Kyle Busch taking
the second. However, Kenseth hurt himself at the end of the third by exiting pit
road too fast. Kenseth wound up finishing seventh. In the final segment, on lap
62, the Busch Brothers, while running second and third, got together and
wrecked. Kyle got loose after nearly hitting Kurt already, spun up the track,
and hit his older brother. Being interviewed by Dick Berggren, a mostly calm
Kurt said after being hit by his brother Kyle that he would not be eating
Kellogg's Cereal for a while (Kellogg's being a main sponsor of Kyle's #5
Chevrolet). On lap 63, Jeff Gordon slowed because of a flat tire. Right behind
him, Casey Mears made contact with Denny Hamlin, taking both out.
As the laps wound down, Kevin Harvick led, but Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin
looked like they would make it close, perhaps setting the stage for another
exciting All-Star finish. However, both couldn't get to him and Harvick won,
with Johnson and Martin finishing basically in their tire tracks. It was
certainly a big night for Harvick. His victory put more than $1,031,000 in his
pocket. The Daytona 500 winner had lost a little momentum, but Saturday Night's
win could go a long way into getting that back.
Looking back at it, there is just not very much that will stand out after this
year's Nextel All-Star Challenge. About the only things fans will think about in
regards to this event is "How much of an idiot is Montoya?" and "How will the
next Busch family get together be like?". Otherwise, it won't go down as a very
memorable event, which is a shame considering how much this night gets hyped for
the past excitement and memories. Unless, you happen to be a Kevin Harvick fan.
If that is the case, then this All-Star Challenge will be remembered well.
For everyone else, well.............
By: CrimsonCowboy