Boris Said was not wrong in the incident involving him and David Ragan that eventually collected David Reutimann Monday at Watkins Glen International. The reason he is not to blame is because it was the final lap.

If this was lap 23, 33, 43, 54, 65, 78, or even 88 then I could see ones argument but he was driving for position. Was it an awful chain of events? Yes. Could it have been avoided? Yes. Did the wreck happen because of a malicious attempt by Boris Said to wreck Ragan? I don’t believe so. Would I consider the wreck to be a “its racing?” Without a doubt in my mind.

VICTORY LANE
Marcos Ambrose – First win in the Sprint Cup Series, one of the best road racers in the world.
Richard Petty Motorsports – Getting back into Victory Lane after a very rough couple of seasons.

NASCAR’s COT – The safety of this sport has grown in leaps and bound over the last decade and we can attribute the COT for saving broken bones or worse with the four violent collisions we saw.

THE GARAGE
The lack of SAFER barrier walls at Watkins Glen International.

Power Rankings

(Rankings will be based off of who is running the best, with an emphasis on the last several races but having respect for the duration of the 36 race schedule. Last Week’s Rankings can be found in parenthesis.)
1. (1) Jeff Gordon – Last time he collected less than 30 points in a race (Charlotte 5/29)
2. (4) Kyle Busch – Has lead 18.8 percent of all laps this season.
3. (3) Matt Kenseth – Staying Consistent, is fifth in points.
4. (5) Jimmie Johnson – Has scored the second highest amount of points the last five races with 182.
5. (7) Kevin Harvick – Climbed to fourth in the points, now only 14 behind Kyle Busch and Edwards.
6. (6) Ryan Newman – Hottest driver in the Cup Series with 188 points scored the last five races.
7.  (2) Kurt Busch – Losing ground in the points with the outcome he had in Watkins Glen.
8. (9) Carl Edwards – To lock a position up for the Chase he needs 23 more points than Bowyer, 15 over Hamlin, three more than Biffle at Michigan.
9.  (11) Brad Keselowski – The fifth most points over the last five races with 173 or 34.6 per race.
10.  (8) Tony Stewart – Was going to have a decent finish until the last lap wreck.
11. (NR) Joey Logano – Power Rankings have Logano over Hamlin because of his work the last nine races.
12.  (10) Denny Hamlin–Right Now would get the last Wild Card spot, has a 27 point lead over Menard.

Driver of Week: Marcos Ambrose – Another first time winner in the Cup Series.
Stat of the Week: 141 – Points needed over Chase Line to make the Chase after Michigan.

Last Week’s Prediction Results: Jeff Gordon – Finishes 13th while leading six laps.
This Week’s Prediction for Michigan: Carl Edwards – Worst finish over the last nine races is 12th. That includes six top-fives.

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