NASCAR has some WWF elements, unless you know the backstory, the races are harder to follow. Perfect example was last year's Homestead - the series finale. With 30 laps to go, Edwards had to pass Stewart to win the title - and was right behind him by 10 inches. Stayed that way throughout. If you knew the backstory, you knew Smoke had NEVER lost a championship race, and Edwards had never wrecked anyone to win. So, it was a matter of watching it play out, but still knowing Stewart had to be perfect, which he was. Drama, more than sport.
Last night, it was late, drivers were tired, and I would not doubt per the others here who have raced cars that the track was definitely affected where the jet fuel had blazed. That takes out a big part of the runup out of turn 4 - and really affected the ability to pass. It was a much different race the first 160 laps in terms of passing than after the fire.
Incidentally, my vote for the coolest 5K you can do is at Daytona in January. You get to the track at 5:30, take the shuttle from Turn 3 to the start finish line, warmup on the infield course while the track is lit, then race 1 mile on the infield and then miles 2 & 3 from turn 1 to pit lane as the sun rises. It's up there with Falmouth, Bix and Carlsbad in terms of the most awesome settings and races I've ever run. Then a round of golf and watch as much as you want of the Rolex 24 - we call it the old men triathlon!