The racing weekend that was - Wk 29

In Formula One, at the German GP:

Lewis after the incident

With Nico Rosberg leading the point standings going into Hockenheim, teammate Lewis Hamilton knew he needed to push hard, especially in qualifying but lady luck would have it differently. The 2008 champion had suffered front right brake disc failure going into the Turn 13 hairpin and spun into the barriers going 110 mph. And following inspection the team decided that the gearbox had suffered damage and needed to be replaced, taking him even further down the starting grid. He would start from P20, instead of fifteenth. For more on the qualifying incident, click here.

Aggressive Magnussen causes Massa to flip

The race had a re-start after an accident between the front runners which left Felipe Massa's Williams sliding upside down in the run-off area. The second start was uneventful and as Rosberg started to pull away from the field after the start of the race, Lewis started his onslaught passing at times two cars simultaneously and soon found him self in the top ten. Daniel Ricciardo was also moving up impressively after loosing many positions in the first lap incident. Towards the end of the race, he had a great battle with Fernando Alonso who had just resumed on fresh super-softs and it took the Spaniard a lot of skill to finally make a pass stick.

However, in the end Valtteri Bottas held off the charging Hamilton for second place and Rosberg wins his fourth race of the year and extends his lead by 14 points. A disappointed Massa could only wish for better luck in the next race, whilst Vettel and Alonso made the best of their equipment.

"I am just grateful I was able to get close and up into the top. When you are starting next to last at the beginning of the race you can't imagine being on the podium. It is a great day otherwise", commented Lewis Hamilton after the race.

Top Five:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes-Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas, Williams-Mercedes
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Mercedes
4. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault
5. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari-Ferrari

In a special tribute to the German National Soccer team winning the World Cup, Nico Rosberg wore a special commemorative helmet.

Next up is the Hungarian GP, July 25-27, 2014

In NHRA pro stock, at Denver:
The Bandimere Speedway is one of my favourite tracks on the NHRA circuit. Kinda cut into the side of a mountain, the main grandstand fans not only have a great view of the track but also of the surrounding mountain range. The Bandimere family always puts on a great show.

In Pro Stock, the Mopar guys make it again to the final as Allen Johnson (6.930 @198.61 wins over Jegg Coughlin who red lights (-.0004). Johnson has dominated at the mile high track. Two notables: Dave Connolly finally wins points leader Erica Enders-Stevens but looses to the eventual race winner in the semis. Jason Line wins over Steve Kalkowski and Vincent Nobile but looses to Jegg in the semis.

Thanks for reading.

Source: Crash.net, Dragracecentral.com
Photo credit: Motosport.com, Skysports.com, Autosport.com