Weekend That Was: Lowe's (cont'd)

"I'm here because NASCAR invited me to represent 2.4 million Americans who serve on our active guard and reserves, and it's a great honor for me to be able to be here and represent them and their families," Pace said. "It's wonderful for the entire NASCAR family to do what they're doing here [Sunday], showing support for our troops. The guys and gals who are currently overseas and making it possible for us to have this kind of a day back here know about this, will watch it live or hear about it on the Internet, and it will make a difference to them -- that such a respected organization as NASCAR and all the NASCAR fans have taken time to pay tribute to them."

Pace said he understands why NASCAR and all branches of the military have always forged a special bond.

"I think, first of all, NASCAR reaches out to the military in a very friendly day -- like [Sunday]," said Pace, noting that more than 6,000 members of the military and their families were among the 160,000 fans in attendance. "I think there is also a common understanding that in the military, it's a team effort. Nobody wins by themselves. And that's the same thing with NASCAR. They've got great, skilled drivers who drive the car across the finish line -- but that driver would not have that car anywhere near the finish line if it wasn't for the great team backing him up. So I think everybody both in NASCAR and in the military understands that we work as teams together, that we survive and succeed or not based on the team."

Asking for understanding
Pace also addressed the latest public opinion polls that show most Americans view the current war in Iraq negatively, imploring everyone to seek as much information as they can about what is happening on the ground there.

"I think we all have to work very hard to make sure the American people have as much information as they need to make the right decisions," Pace said. "The men and women serving overseas right now know what they are doing is good. They know that they're building schools, building roads, helping local people be free -- or more free than they were.

"So somehow, collectively, we need to let the American people get the entire story -- so that the American people can make their own judgments. I have great respect and confidence in the balance of the American people to understand what's right for our country, and to understand the threat that we're facing, and to find the right way forward."

Pit Stops
• Oh, and lest anyone think that Petty's strong finish will make him rethink his decision to step out of the car soon and into the broadcast booth for six races to be televised by TNT, think again. He said he's already looking forward to the time out of the driver's seat.

• The save of Sunday night belonged to Jeremy Mayfield, who had a strong run ruined when his engine blew with 18 laps remaining. Roughly 90 laps earlier, Mayfield spun into the infield grass and did a complete 360-degree revolution, but somehow kept it off the wall and straightened out the car to keep going, prompting television announcer Darrell Waltrip to exclaim: "It's written all over his hood what he was gonna do!" Mayfield drives the No. 36 Toyota sponsored by 360 OTC.

• You got the idea that maybe driver Kasey Kahne was going to build on his Busch Series win Saturday night with a strong showing in the Cup race Sunday. But he didn't, finishing seven laps down in 23rd only because so many others crashed out in front of him earlier in the event.

• Jimmie Johnson's 10th-place finish -- largely the result of a pit-crew mishap on his next-to-last stop (watch video) -- was his worst at Lowe's since 2002. Remarkably, prior to Sunday night he had not finished out of the top three in a race there since then.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.