When a cable from Fox Sports’ CAMCAT broke and fell into the grandstand at Charlotte Motor Speedway (10 fans injured) and was run over by several race cars, you knew the discussion would spill over into the weekend of next race.
The overhead camera, which debuted without incident during Daytona Speedweeks, was the next big thing for Fox broadcasts of NASCAR events. The same type of system is used for NFL games. The race continued for a few laps before NASCAR realized the problem.
“I couldn’t see what it was and I drove past it twice,” Jimmie Johnson said. “It was a thin, black cable or rope or something. I think it was the cable. But you can’t see it, especially when it’s dark and there’s a black surface and it’s hanging in the sky.
Denny Hamlin said his No. 11 Toyota was damaged by CAMCAT after the race was stopped to clean up fallen bits of sky.
“I didn’t feel anything hit my car until I got out and saw where it hit my car,” Hamlin said. “I think they did the only thing they could do. Obviously, when they have an item that is part of the track and affects the race, it’s a new precedent to let the guys fix their car and take a break to do it.
Kurt Busch and his No. 78 team took full advantage of this unique red flag period. The permanent rule? When the red flag is displayed, teams cannot work on their race cars. This rule has been lifted for this incident.
“The way the whole cable thing happened and then they said people could work on their cars, I quickly jumped into the mindset of an All-Star race, when they a 10-minute break, you can work on any aspect of the car,” he said.
“We were busy with our car. If you’re sitting there and you’re not taking advantage of that situation, then the other teams are just going to pass you while you’re literally sitting in the garage or on pit road. You might be working on your cars, so let it rip.
Busch took advantage of Fox’s misfortune to finish in third place. The incident remains under investigation by the network, but it’s possible this high-flying cat only had one life in NASCAR.
Fox finished his 13-race stint with the Sprint Cup Series when the checkered flag fell at Dover International Speedway on Sunday. Fox is handing over to TNT, which is hosting six summer races before giving way to ESPN. ESPN takes the Cup Series through the Chase. Everyone will have to wait nine months before Darrell Waltrip barks “Boogity, boogity, boogity!” » at Speedweeks 2014.
Reigning Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski brought his crew chief Paul Wolfe back to the track after a two-race suspension. In those two races, Keselowski finished 32nd (Darlington) and 36th (Charlotte). “Having everyone back adds to the comfort level,” Keselowski said. “I think we’re in for a solid few weeks, we really are.” Things are back to normal. Keselowski finished fifth, but the No. 2 Ford failed post-race inspection.
