ALthough I'm glad the race was shortened to 400 miles instead of 500 (something I was against originally against from a tradition standpoint but it did make for a shorter race), I found it to be quite boring.

I was really expecting more action on the new surface. instead the race just did its usual deal where it gets all strung out, then the flurry of speeding penalties (including back to backs by the 48,which should have been an INSTANT clue that something was wrong). I almost turned it off when the almost seemingly pre-planned debris caution came out right on the edge of being able to make it (or not) on fuel.

At least they are all now pretty much back to shifting again, which was one of the things that made Pocono unique.

I guess even with all that, I would have found the race more interesting if TNT got a real announcer in the booth and sent Adam Alexander back down to pit road where he belongs. He tries real hard, but I just find his voice grating for some reason.

Taking the TV crew out of the mix I guess I could give the race itself a 5. Not the worst race ever by any means, but nothing to jump and down about.