Last Saturday night at Richmond, after the race, a reporter asked Kurt Busch what happened, he said: “We raced down into turn 1, I locked up the left front trying to avoid him. When he came back to us, you know, you could see it coming. It not something you see from Jimmie Johnson every day, so I know we’re in his head.” That was the most “Spot On” commentary after getting out of a hot race car, by a hot race car driver, I have ever seen.
What had happened on the track was exactly that. Kurt got in hot, locked up the brakes and got into Jimmie Johnson and spun him out. It did not look intentional and at that point in the race it would not make any sense whatsoever to do that. Although Jimmie was relatively OK, could have gone on and salvage a decent finish, he decided to get payback and wreaked his car even more. So clearly Kurt Busch was in his head.
After the race, in one of the many media sessions, Kurt Busch denied saying “I know we’re in his head”. Even arguing that point with a reporter. Everyone who watched TV heard the comment. So now, after the initial interview, what got into Kurt’s head. We may never know.
What I do know is what should be getting into both of their heads, The Chase. Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick got it. They realized that since they were locked into the chase their chase actually started Saturday night at Richmond. In fact anyone of the guys in the top ten could have improved their starting position in the chase with a win before the chase even started. Kevin Harvick really gets it, because he won the race, he now starts the chase tied for first instead of third.
If Kurt or Jimmie needs to get what might be in their heads out, they only need to look at Dale Earnhardt Junior’s race. He wrecked his car big time. Then wrecked it again. He was in serious jeopardy of missing the Chase altogether. His crew chief Steve Letarte somehow got defeat out of his head. They worked on the car, then worked on it again and again. They somehow salvaged a 16th place finish. Although they lost a position in the Chase and are now 10th at least they are in.
Entering the Chase Jeff Gordon looks the best as he ever has in recent years. I look for him to challenge Jimmie Johnson this year. If Kevin Harvick can somehow keep it up, he will as well. I also like Kyle Busch but I think his enthusiasm, like his brothers, will get the best of him.
Follow me on Twitter @brian_jr1. Tell me what you think. Rant below!
