A Fight for the Finish Line

        This weekend, NASCAR returns to one of my favorite tracks on the schedule: the Charlotte Roval (Road Course + Oval). This race has become a personal favorite of mine for multiple reasons - and not just because it utilizes chicanes. One, Charlotte Motor Speedway holds a special place in my heart given that it's a few miles away from family members, and that it is a track my Dad and I have been to for races before (in the "normal" track layout). Two, while the Roval is fairly new to the NASCAR schedule, the races run there have been memorable ones and fun to watch. With that in mind, I wanted to reminisce about the finish of the inaugual race in 2018, one of the most memorable race finishes for me as a NASCAR fan.

        To set the stage, the 2018 race was a part of NASCAR's postseason and was an "elimination" race, meaning that the 4 lowest drivers in points would be eliminated from racing for the championship. Going in to the final lap of the race, Martin Truex, Jr. was leading the way, followed by Jimmie Johnson in second. Further back in the field, other drivers were racing hard to advance on points and not get eliminated. Martin Truex, Jr. had safely advanced to the next round, and Jimmie Johnson appeared to be safely in on points as well. That being said, as Truex and Johnson approached the final chicane before the finish line, Johnson made a move for the win. However, as Johnson made his move, he missed the chicane and spun himself out. In the process, Johnson also collected Truex, preventing him from winning the race. Instead, Ryan Blaney, a driver further back in 3rd, safely drove through the carnage and won the race. The two leaders took themselves out and third place Ryan Blaney came home a winner. 

        While Johnson and Truex were able to finish the race, they each ended up further back in the field. And in Johnson's case, his mistake led to him dropping in points and getting eliminated from the championship. He missed the cut by 1 point. To see Jimmie Johnson, a 7-time champion who had so often pulled off clutch, race-winning (or even championship-winning moves), it truly was shocking as a viewer to see him make a mistake like that. With all of this in mind, I wanted to take a look at the 3 drivers at the finish of this race -- Martin Truex, Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Ryan Blaney -- and unpack what can be learned from each one of them.

When Life Throws Curveballs (Martin Truex, Jr.)

        Let's start with the race leader going into the final lap. For Truex, he was in position to win the race and appeared to have it won as he approached the finish line. However, through no fault of his own, he not only "lost" the win, he didn't even finish in the top 10 (he came home 14th). Sometimes in life, everything may appear to be going our way or we may find that everything is generally in a good place. We have done what we're supposed to do and are reaping the rewards for our hard work. However, in an instant, everything changes for us and turns on a dime. The most difficult part for some of these moments is when our circumstances change through no fault of our own. It is not because we made a mistake or did something wrong, but because of someone else's mistake or unavoidable circumstances (such as a natural disaster). 

        The change in our circumstances was out of our control, but now we face challenges, obstacles, and even consequences. This is a tough reality in life. It can be easy to take out our frustrations on the root cause (which Truex did to Johnson after the race) or even on family member or friend. However, what I have learned is that doing so may feel good or vindicating in the moment, but that feeling quickly fades and can lead to regret. We have to ask ourselves if the way we take out our frustrations is truly worth it or accomplishes anything. Ultimately, we may not be able to control the trials we face, but we can control how we respond. Facing difficult circumstances that came up out of nowhere is inevitable in life. Sometimes we get caught up in someone else's mistake(s). When that does occur, it is best to not live in a state of "woe is me" or let that get the best of us. We have to be prepared for how we will respond in these moments. They can be defining ones in our lives -- good or bad. 

When You Go For it All & Miss (Jimmie Johnson)

        Jimmie Johnson made a bold move for the win -- and it backfired it huge way. Not only did he not win the race, he went from 2nd to 8th and got eliminated from the postseason in the process. And to top it all off, he also collected Truex in his mistake. The amazing thing about Johnson's circumstances were that if he had settled for second and not made that move, he would have advanced in the postseason. The "safe" thing for Johnson would have been to remain second and move on -- and a case could be made that this is what he should have done. However, in his post-race interview, one thing I remember Johnson saying was that he wasn't thinking about points in the moment, just going for the win. I can commend him for going for the win and taking that chance, even if it didn't work out. 

        There are times in our lives where we will take a chance, only to see it backfire or fail. Taking chances or risks, by definition, mean that they may not work. The phrase "high-risk, high-reward" comes to mind here. The kicker with a failed chance is when it only hurts also, but also others (see Truex). With taking chances or risks, it comes down to having discernment with knowing when to take one and when not to take one. Not all chances are worth taking, especially if it is not necessary. 

        As a counter point here, this is not to say that chances should never be taken. If we don't, we may find that life will pass us by. What should be kept in mind with taking chances is being prepared for both outcomes and what may come from them. In the event that it fails or has lasting impacts, we need to own up to that mistake, graciously accept the consequences, and learn from it. Johnson seemed to handle what unfolded well, mainly shocked that he was knocked out of the postseason. We all do make mistakes in our lives (and sometimes collect others in the process), which present opportunities for learning, grace, and forgiveness. 

When the Seas Part - Take Advantage (Ryan Blaney)

        Lastly, I wanted to take a look at Ryan Blaney, the race winner. For Ryan Blaney, he truly was in the right place at the right time. He was a little further back in the field, which meant that he did not get caught up in Johnson and Truex's mess on the last lap, which paved the way for him to win the race. There are times in our lives where the "seas part" so to speak and an opportunity (or win) is right there for the taking.  Admittedly, some of this can be attributed to luck (such as the leaders wrecking), but that may be a bit of an oversimplification. For Blaney, he had put himself in a position (3rd place) where he could take advantage and win the race if something had happened to the leaders. To quote Edna Mode from The Incredibles, "luck favors the prepared".

        When life beautifully presents us with the opportunities, we need to capitalize and take advantage of them. As the opportunity presented itself for Blaney to win the race, he did have to capitalize and cross the finish line first without also wrecking himself. It was a great break presented to him, but one that would not have mattered if he didn't take advantage of it. If we don't take advantage of the opportunities presented to us, someone else will. And once those opportunities pass us by, there usually isn't a second chance for them. Had Blaney collected himself in the carnage, Jamie McMurray, who finished 2nd, likely would have been the beneficiary and the winner. When we are prepared and put ourselves in position to succeed, breaks and opportunities may present themselves. In the instances that they do, don't miss your moment; capitalize and take advantage. Life only presents us with so many opportunities that fall into our lap. 

Conclusion

        As it turns out, one can learn a lot about the fight for the finish line in a NASCAR race. There are instances in life where we are blindsided by challenges through no fault of our own (and possibly someone else's). When that happens, we need to be prepared for how we are going to react and respond, as well as how we handle it moving forward. Taking chances instead of the safe option can get us into trouble at times. Chances are not bad in themselves, but should be measured and the best/worst case outcomes considered. And sometimes in life, great opportunities find us. When they do, it is best that we capitalize and take advantage of them.

        I look forward to watching NASCAR race again at the Charlotte Roval tomorrow. While not every race may end up a classic like the one in 2018, each one does have its share of twists and turns (no pun intended). And who knows - this one just might end with another fight for the finish line.