Warning: Restrictor plate racing ahead
Photo courtesy NASCAR Media
Do you want to see two by two tandem racing in the Daytona 500 like you saw last year?
That is a question that Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood III has been asking fans – and he says most people are telling him they definitely don’t want to see that style of racing again in 2012. According to Chitwood race fans expect to see the big pack style of racing at Daytona.
NASCAR has in fact made some changes to eliminate the 2 car breakaways. Spoilers have been adjusted and radiators have been reduced in size to make tandem racing more difficult.
Driver to driver radio communication has also been eliminated. In 2011’s Daytona 500 drivers had 20 to 30 other drivers radio frequencies dialed in so that they could talk to each other. Now the only communication allowed will be between the driver, crew chief and spotter. The spotter may only talk to his driver and may not spot for 2 drivers at the same time.
But Dale Earnhardt Jr says that NASCAR has not gone far enough if they really want to stop the practice. According to Junior if more changes are not mad this year’s race will look just like last years.
If fans leave Daytona unhappy it may be difficult for NASCAR to continue to hold their interest later in the season.
NASCAR learned a hard lesson in 2009 when it tried to enforce no bump drafting rules at Talladega. Fans were outraged at officials for telling drivers how to drive the car. Sometimes NASCAR does have a hard time figuring out what race fans want. According to my friend David Newton at ESPN when we had pack racing fans were calling for the pack to be broken up – and now that the pack is broken up they are calling for pack racing.
So why do the drivers insist on racing this way? The cars simply go faster in twos. Speeds topped 204 mph during winter testing at Daytona. If a race car driver can find a way to go faster they are going to go faster.
So do you like the tandem racing, or would you rather see Daytona pack racing? If you were in charge of NASCAR would you try to stop it? What would you do?
How Did Trevor Bayne Win the Daytona 500?
Photo Courtesy NASCAR Media
Trevor Bayne Does What Was Thought Impossible – Wins Daytona 500 In Just His 2nd Start
Trevor who? 20 year old Trevor Bayne claimed the Daytona 500 victory in just his 2nd Sprint Cup series start. Bayne appeared to have a lot more experience when he held off 2nd place driver Carl Edwards coming to the checkered flag. Edwards attempted to lure Bayne up off the double yellow as they came to the finish line but Bayne never wavered as he streaked to the checkered flag. This was the first win for the Wood Bothers in nearly 10 years
Bayne may not receive any championship points for the win. He is not even racing full-time in the Sprint Cup series this year. Under a new NASCAR rule drivers must specify which championship they are running for and Bayne has elected to receive points in the Nationwide series where he has a full-time ride. But Bayne has 4 more races to change his mind
All of Rick Hendrick’s cars were involved in crashes in today’s race. Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon all crashed early. Martin was able to return and recover from a 3 lap deficit to be a threat for the e win at the end. Gordon and Johnson were not.
Dale Earnhardt Jr had a competitive car all day until he was forced into the grass during a late race crash and cut a tire. After a quick change he returned to the race but was then caught up in another crash and slammed into the backstretch retaining wall.
On lap 3 of the race fans stood and held 3 fingers in the air as broadcasters observed a lap of silence in honor of Dale Earnhardt.
If you saw the race what do you think of the win for Trevor Bayne? And did you think Dale Earnhardt Jr showed an improvement with his new crew chief and race shop?
5 Reasons the Daytona 500 is Bigger than the Super Bowl
Photo credit: tequilamike
It is that time again. Super Bowl Sunday is coming up,followed closely by Daytona 500 Sunday. So which one do you think is the bigger deal? No question about it: the Daytona 500 is bigger that the Super Bowl. Here’s why:
1. People watch the Daytona 500 to see the action, the strategy and the competition. Not to see who has the best commercial. There is always a huge discussion following the Super Bowl about the ads. There are even awards for the best Super Bowl ads. When is the last time you heard a bunch of NASCAR fans talking more about their favorite commercials than their favorite drivers?
2. Race fans can actually buy a ticket to the Daytona 500. The average football fan would have a hard time getting a ticket to the Super Bowl if their favorite team was playing. Most of the tickets go to corporate sponsors and big businesses.
3. Around 100,000 People will attend the Super Bowl at Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington, Texas this year. The Daytona 500 will easily attract 2 to 3 times that many race fans. If only 100,000 people showed up Daytona would look like a ghost town. Plenty of race fans will camp out at the track for 2 weeks just to see the race.
4. 43 teams will be battling to be the Daytona 500 Champion. And at least 25 of them have a legitimate shot to win it. Only 2 teams are playing in the Super Bowl.
5. Jamie McMurray won last year’s Daytona 500. I can’t remember who won last year’s Super Bowl. Can you?
People used to say the Daytona 500 is the Super Bowl of racing. Maybe we should start saying that the Super Bowl is the Daytona 500 of football.
Can you think of another reason why the Daytona 500 is bigger than the Super Bowl? Please post it in the comments below.
And if you like this story please click on the Facebook Like Button below to share with your friends.
Jamie McMurray on Letterman
Jamie McMurray on Letterman After Daytona 500 Win
David Letterman and Jamie McMurray discuss the Daytona 500 victory, the pothole, and why Dave shouldn’t have a street legal version of Jamie’s race car.
Pave Daytona?
Is it Time to Re-pave Daytona?
The last time Daytona International Speedway was re-paved Jimmy Carter was President, and the No. 1 song was Night Fever by the Bee Gees. That was 1978.
Time and weather finally took a toll on the racing surface in Sunday’s Daytona 500 when a hole in the track caused the race to be red flagged twice for over 2 hours.
There are at least 2 good reasons why Daytona has not been re-paved since:
One – The rough and bumpy surface brings both handling and speed into play as the keys to winning, and makes for some great racing.
Two – It would cost $20 million to re-pave the historic 2.5 mile speedway.
Do you think the track should be re-paved?
Photo Courtesy NASCAR Media
Jamie McMurray Win Proves Roush Wrong
McMurray Wins in First Try for New Boss
Jack Roush must be feeling a little embarrassed today after letting Jamie McMurray go at the end of last season.
McMurray went on to win the Daytona 500 driving Teresa Earnhardt’s No. 1 Chevrolet allied with his old boss Chip Ganassi.
Roush’s best car finished 3rd.
Martin Truex Jr has to be saying “what if?†as well. Truex left the No. 1 car to go to Michael Waltrip racing this year, where he finished 6th in the Daytona 500.
At the Daytona 500 Champion’s Breakfast this morning McMurray had the best line: “I woke up and 1st thing I was hoping was that Danica wasn’t going to be on the cover of the paper.”
McMurray was being chased down on the last lap by Dale Earnhardt Jr who finished 2nd. Earnhardt is living up to his promise to be ruthless this year.
Earnhardt moved up 17 positions in the closing laps – going from 19th to 2nd.
The win meant a lot for the entire race team. â€I’m just happy for the whole team. I’m happy for all the partners. I’m happy for Felix and Teresa, happy for every single person that’s ever been a part of this team. It’s really important,†said Chip Ganassi.
McMurray thought his chance to win was slipping away when he saw Dale Earnhardt Jr in his rear view mirror. “I looked in my mirror and saw the 88. This guy has won a lot of races here.â€Â But McMurray was fast enough to hold off Earnhardt at the checkered flag.
McMurray tried to describe what it meant to win the Daytona 500.†It’s unbelievable. I can’t really put it into words the way it feels,†said McMurray.
“As a kid growing up, this is what you dream of, of being able to win the Daytona 500.â€
Photo Courtesy NASCAR Media
Daytona Dueling
Daytona Duel Talk — Have Your Say
Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch Winners
Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch were winners in todays two Gatorade Duel qualifying races in Daytona.
The first of two Gatorade Duels were a little wild with Daytona 500 polesitter Martin Truex Jr. spinning, but avoiding the wall.
Bill Elliott — another fast qualifier — also had trouble and brushed the wall after he burned his transmission up.
Tony Stewart proved that his new team is a contender when he crossed the finish line just behind winner Jeff Gordon.
In the second race Dale Earnhardt Jr was out front early and often. But Junior made a rare mistake in the pits when he slid through his stall on the first pit stop. The mistake moved Junior from the lead to 7th.
Then Dale Jr had to pit again under green with tire problems — losing a lap in the process. His teammate Mark Martin also pitted with tire problems.
With just 13 laps to go David Reutimann booted Ryan Newman into the concrete wall on the backstretch. Looks like Newman will need the backup car.
Mark Martin made a strong run at Kyle Busch on the last lap, but couldn’t make the pass giving the win to Kyle Busch.
Did you see any wild moments in the race? Anything you want to talk about? Have at it.
Daytona 500 Qualifying
Who’s In the Daytona 500?
Still trying to figure out who’s in the Daytona 500 – and who’s out? Â Join the crowd.
Some of the NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs even admit they have a hard time figuring out qualifying for The Great American Race.
Between the top 35 rule, Sunday’s front row qualifying, Thursday’s Gatorade Duels, and the Past Champion’s Provisional it can get a little hard to figure out.
If you want a detailed explanation of exactly how Daytona 500 qualifying works check out David Poole’s The Baffling Calculus of Daytona 500 Qualifying.
I’ve given up trying to figure it out – I’ll just wait until NASCAR posts the official lineup on Thursday.
Daytona Speedweeks Schedule
2009 Daytona Speedweeks NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule
Can you believe it’s almost time for the 2009 Daytona 500? Thursday is 
Media Day when drivers, car owners and crew chiefs will meet with the media to talk about the upcoming race season.
But the real fun begins at 4:15 Friday afternoon. That’s when the engines will be fired and the first car will come off turn four approaching 200mph.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on and when its happening.
Thursday February 5th
At 7:30 a.m. sharp the gates will swing open wide and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series haulers will enter the infield Daytona International Speedway. And there begins the start of the 2009 NASCAR season.
At 9 a.m. the garage opens and inspection begins for cars in the Budweiser Shootout.
At 7 p.m. on the Speed Stage outside of Turn Four drivers in the Budweiser shootout will draw for starting positions.
Friday February 6th
At 7 a.m. inspection will begin for Daytona 500 cars.
Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. spotters will gather in the Daytona media center for the mandatory spotter’s meeting
Also at 9:30 a.m. a drawing will be held for qualifying order for the Daytona 500.
Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. the Budweiser shootout cars will take to the track for 45 minutes of practice. Then again at 6:30 p.m. cars will be on the track for one hour of final practice for the Budweiser Shootout.
Saturday February 7th
At 10:30 a.m. Sprint Cars will be on the track for a two-hour practice.
At 1:30 p.m. a second practice will begin for Sprint Cup cars for 90 minutes.
The driver and Cray Chief meeting for the Budweiser Shootout will begin at 6:30 p.m. In the media center.
Driver introductions for the Budweiser Shootout begin at 7:50 p.m.
The green flag goes in the air for the Budweiser Shootout at 8:10 p.m.
Sunday February 8th
Daytona 500 qualifying begins at 1:10 p.m. each driver will be given two lap and the top two qualifiers will be locked in for the front row.
Wednesday February 11th
Sprint cup practice from 11 a.m. until 11:55 a.m.
2:00 p.m. until 2:50 p.m. final practice before the Gatorade Dual 150s.
Thursday February 12
Driver introductions for the Gatorade duels begins at 1:40 p.m.
At 2 p.m. the first of two Gatorade 150 mi. qualifying races begins.
Friday February 13th
A one-hour Sprint cup practice begins at 1:40 p.m.
Saturday February 14th
Final Happy Hour practice for the Daytona 500 is from 10:30 a.m. until 11:55 a.m.
Sunday February 15th
The driver crew chief mating begins at 1:10 p.m. in the NASCAR media center.
Driver introductions for the Daytona 500 begin at 2:30 p.m. the green flag flies for the Daytona 500 at 3:30 p.m.
James Hylton Enters Daytona 500
Why James Hylton is Not Too Old to Race in the Daytona 500
Photo courtesy EM Motorsports
James Hylton has been named the driver of the EM Motorsports Dodge in the 2009 Daytona 500.
I was listening to Dave Moody on Sirius today when someone called in and said James Hylton was too old to be racing. That it would be bad for NASCAR if ‘something’ happened to Hylton in the race.
What a load of bull.
If anyone has earned the right to drive in the Daytona 500 it is James Hylton.
In 1966 James Hylton was named NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year after competing in 41 races and posting 20 top 5 finishes, and 32 top 10′s.
At 74 years of age he is set to make start No. 602 of his Cup career.
The veteran driver was excited about returning to Daytona. “Christmas has come early for me,” said Hylton. “My main goals are to become the oldest competitor to ever run the Daytona 500 and of course, win the race.”
EM Motorsports is outside the top 35 in owner’s points, so Hylton will have to qualify his way into the field on speed, or race his way in during the Gatorade Dual qualifying races.
Team owner John Carter said he plans to “run a complete 2009 series with James Hylton” in the Sprint Cup series. The team will have to sign a major sponsor to make that happen – but a good run at Daytona could put James Hylton back behind the wheel in the Sprint Cup Series.
James Hylton has 601 starts in NASCAR’s Cup series. His last win was in the 1972 Talladega 500 where he led 106 laps in his 1971 Mercury. You can learn more about the driver at JamesHylton.com
Out of those 601 starts Hylton finished in the top 10 301 times – that’s over 50 % in the top 10! On top of that he has 140 top 5 finishes. Those are some pretty amazing stats. I was Impressed myself when I looked them up.
Hylton last raced at Daytona in the July, 2008 Nationwide race.
James Hylton, I wish you nothing but the best for the Daytona 500. I look forward to seeing you back on the track at Daytona.
What about you? Do you think James Hylton should race in the Daytona 500?
