Did an Oily Track Create Excitement?

For the second time this season, an oily race track had an effect on the outcome of the race. Back in Watkins Glen in August, a track scattered with oil led to two passes for the lead on the final lap. When race leader Kyle Busch spun in the oil it led to Marcos Ambrose and Brad Keselowski battling it out for the win. Ambrose eventually slid to the victory. Sunday in Phoenix, the main grove on the frontstretch was littered with oil from Danica Patrick’s wrecked car and once the leaders hit the home stretch, they started slipping everywhere and a pile-up ensued. Point’s leader Brad Keselowski suffered damage in the wreck but he was able to cross the finish line successfully. If NASCAR threw out the caution when Danica Patrick wrecked on the second to last lap, we likely wouldn’t be talking about this. NASCAR wanted a green flag finish and after an extended red flag under the last caution, NASCAR didn’t want to have another lengthy caution that prolonged the race. The result of that i...