Doin’ Donuts: Tires Too Hard to Handle in 2006 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte

Pace Laps

Note to Brian France: NASCAR ratings continue to fall too far for it to just be NBC’s fault.

Can’t we get decent tires at Lowe’s Motor Speedway? Charlotte used to give us the best racing around, and now it is just a wreck-fest waiting to happen.

The clean bill of health for Benny Parsons was clearly the best news of the week!

Event Grade: C

Ever since the Humpy-gating, this place has lost its ability to put on a great race. Now, the pavement is just fine but so fast Goodyear can’t seem to make the right tire any more. Maybe it is time to change manufacturers and give someone else a chance to do things right!

F for Mark Martin‘s Luck

Was it all JJ Yeley‘s fault? Probably not, but the timing was just another in a series of the bad luck blues that has kept one of the best drivers ever to race in NASCAR from a chance at an elusive title he covets.

D for NASCAR Officiating

Throwing the small fuel cells on the cars made this race a joke! Add the fact that they threw the green flag while cleanup vehicles were still on the track the night after a scoring screw-up and you have to wonder which one of the Three Stooges was in charge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend!

C for Matt Kenseth

A team in the middle of a championship hunt should not be average, but Kenseth was again this week. Suddenly, this team looks vulnerable on the intermediate tracks that dominate the rest of the chase.

B for Tony Raines and Joe Nemechek

Both guys deserve a tip of the cap after surviving a crazy race at Lowe’s. These teams have struggled through awful seasons, but on Saturday night, their drivers proved they have more talent than they have displayed this year.

A for Kasey Kahne

Kahne is not likely to win the championship, but might singlehandedly force NASCAR to make rule changes next season. No doubt, a series-leading six wins for Kahne already marks an impressive year, no matter where he finishes in the championship points.