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Monday, July 16

Weekly Wrap-Up
Cars break, but races not fixed
ESPN.com

RPM.ESPN.com takes a look at what went down in the racing world this past weekend.

Biggest surprise: Jimmy Spencer backing off his allegations that the Pepsi 400 was fixed. Depending on point of view, this could be gutsy, disappointing or boneheaded ... so we'll just leave it as surprising. Of course, after the retraction Spencer went on to finish in the top-5. Fix. Definitely a fix.

Also, David Coulthard not winning at Silverstone, which sort of qualifies as his home track. Guess the FIA didn't read up on how to fix a race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said allegations of a fix were a slap in the face to him and his father.

What about Michael Andretti coming from the back of the pack to win at Toronto? A surprise? C'mon! Although, it was his first win of the year ... and his first since Toronto in 2000 ... and it was pretty dramatic, especially with the late help from Bruno Junqueira (see below) ... kind of makes you wonder ....

Biggest disappointment: The Hendrick boys at Chicago. Much was expected of Jerry Nadeau this season after ending the 2000 campaign with a win at Atlanta. But engine problems -- and stomach problems, for that matter -- ended his brilliant day early. Meanwhile, teammate Jeff Gordon was running in the top-5 late before suffering from good ol' mechanical failure and dropping back to 17th. Speaking of teammates, how is it that Nadeau and Terry Labonte are struggling this year compared to Gordon? Aren't they swapping notes in the shop?

Also, Jack Sprague dropping a cylinder and thus losing the lead to eventual winner Scott Riggs late in the Kroger 225 CTS race. And Shawna Robinson, driving the Tropicana car, failing to qualify for the Tropicana 400. Tack on Tony Stewart's late wreck. Tough outings for he and Gordon, especially after points lost at Daytona.

Gutsy move: Jimmy Johnson taking just two tires during a late pit stop to take over the lead and eventually win the Sam's Club-Hills Bros 300 BGN race at Chicagoland.

Also, how about the overall gutsy effort by Robert Pressley at Chicagoland? Pressley finished a career-best second, losing only to Kevin Harvick, who's effort really was only matched by that of Nadeau for much of the day.

Boneheaded move: Bruno Junqueira cutting in front of traffic while leaving the pits with four laps remaining in Toronto. Junqueira had absolutely nothing to race for at that point, being the last running car in the field, position-wise. Instead, he nearly wrecked some front runners and all but dashed any hopes Alex Tagliani had of catching Michael Andretti.

Also, NBC covering its own running order graphic with an enlarged network bug heading into the final restart at Chicagoland. Doesn't matter if they've got one race under their belts or a thousand -- that's a no-brainer. This is network TV?

Quote: "It is something incredible, something that was missing. (Never winning again) is a fear for every Grand Prix driver who has won." -- Mika Hakkinen on his British GP win, his first victory of the season.

Photo: Check out the photo of the week. Oriol Servia gets high in Toronto.

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Audio/Video
Video
 Molson Indy
ESPN's Robin Miller catches up with Michael Andretti following his victory in Toronto.
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 RPM2Night
Davey Hamilton discussed his June 12 accident and rehab with ESPN's Bob Jenkins.
Standard | Cable Modem

 "The Fix"
Rumors of a fix has kept Dale Earnhardt Jr. from enjoying his emotional Pepsi 400 win at Daytona.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Tropicana 400
Kevin Harvick talks with ESPN's Mike Massaro after his win Sunday at the new Chicagoland Speedway.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Running in second
Alex Tagliani discusses his emotions after chasing Michael Andretti down the stretch.
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508 k | RealAudio

 F1 preview
David Coulthard stresses the importance of winning Sunday's British Formula One Grand Prix.
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379 k | RealAudio

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