Welcome to From the Marbles' 2013 driver reviews. Here, we're going to critique, praise and bloviate about the top 30 drivers in the 2013 NASCAR season. Tasmania Time.
Hey Marcos, thanks for stopping by. Can you get us a ride in a V8 Supercar? That'd be fun. Too bad they're not coming back to Circuit of the Americas.
Your season was quite nondescript. You were between 20th-23rd in the points standings for the final 28 races with the exception of the fall race at Charlotte when you jumped to 19th after a 17th place finish. Whatever you were searching for was there in flashes, but speed was never consistent.
Except on road courses. But because of what happened at Watkins Glen, the highlight of the year is also the biggest disappointment. You were second at Sonoma and led 18 laps, but those 18 laps were the first 18 laps. You ended up seventh.
But man, the Glen was yours to lose. 51 laps led, by far the best car. But then there was that fateful caution from your teammate. That threw your pit strategy off and instead of pitting under green and maintaining your track position, you had to pit under caution.
And then when you were stuck back in traffic, well, yeah, it was tough. Something went wrong with the car on the penultimate yellow flag and you crashed coming up the hill in the esses with six laps to go. The look on your face said it all; it was by far your best chance for a win all season.
But hey, you've got next year with the same group to redeem yourself. If you snag a Sonoma or Watkins Glen win you're going to be in the Chase Wild Card discussion again.
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Previous Reviews: No. 23 Denny Hamlin, No. 24 Casey Mears, No. 25 Mark Martin, No. 26 David Gilliland, No. 27 Danica Patrick, No. 28 David Ragan, No. 29 Tony Stewart, No. 30 Dave Blaney
Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella
