Is NASCAR trying to create drama?
Toyota’s year in the boardroom will be forever defined by the words “stuck throttle,” but on the racetrack it’s sticking it to its rivals. Sunday’s Michigan win by Denny Hamlin was Toyota’s second straight at the track, embarrassing the Big Three of Ford, Chevy and Dodge in the heartland of American auto manufacturing: Detroit. To earn those bragging rights Hamlin dominated, leading 123 of 200 laps en route to his career-high fifth win of the season. But that victory wasn’t without some drama, which leads off the five things we learned from Michigan International Speedway. 1. What’s up with all of the late-race cautions? There’s no question 2010 is a pivotal year for the sport. Attendance and revenue are down sharply, and the economy’s taken its toll on sponsorship, ownership and driver development. Add in declining TV ratings, and NASCAR needs to put its best foot forward to turn the tide before renewal contracts begin in 2011. It doesn’t hurt NASCAR’s cause that 13 of 15 races this s
