The 2011 Nascar season....can now begin

For those of us that have a passion for stock car racing, after a couple of winter months off, it is especially nice to get all fired up for Daytona and to enjoy two straight weeks of news, coverage, and racing. After all, this is "our Superbowl". And I am not knocking it. I love watching the races at Daytona and all the excitement htey bring. I like predicting who will prosper with the changes that take place every year, and sometimes within the weeks at Daytona like they did this year. I love the history.
But......I also like stock car racing. And that means racing without a restrictor plate. So while Daytona is fun and I love starting the season there, I am equally excited to get back to more normal stock car racing this weekend withe the beginning of the rest of the season.
- I am interested in seeing if the Ford engines (FR9) really has it this year, and if so if Carl Edwards will be the man or someone else from Jack Rousch's stable.
- I am interested in seeing if Hamlin can be the JGR leader and win races like he did last year or if his teammates will emerge. We all know Kyle Bush can win races, but can he contend for a championship? And, in year 3, the pivotal year for a "new" Sprint Cup driver....will Joey Logano win some races and or make The Chase?
- I am interested in seeing if the swap at Henrick can lead to more wins...period. Not just Johnson, but Jr., Martin, and Gordon all were without wins last year.
- Trevor Bayne and the famed Wood Brothers team, will they continue to perform or was Daytona a fluke? If the FR9 engine is really that much better, they will perform and they have the guy in Bayne to do it. My guess is they will still run a partial schedule and ease Trevor into Cup but that his partial success this year, The Daytona 500 win, and the FR9 engine, will help attract a top sponsor so this team can go full time next year and make a run at The Chase. This year Bayne will go for The Nationwide Title and I think he will be right there at the end of the year.
-Also, Tony and Ryan....you know who I am talking about. They are hungry for wins, The Chase, and another Championship. I am looking for this Henrick affiliated team to be aggressive in pursuit of their goals.

More later. On to Phoenix.

Keselowski Love

With younger brother Brad having more success in his career by far, it was VERY cool to see Brad Keselowski give back to big bro Brian and push him from the rear to the front in the second Gatorade Dual yesterday at Daytona. Now they are both in the Daytona 500 !! And, another Dodge is in the race, making 4 (Kurt Bush, Brad Keselowski, Robby Gordon, & now Brad Keselowski)

This NASCAR race season is off to a great start. Lots of good stories to follow which is a nice change from "who hates who" and "who is mad at who" etc.

Gatorade Duals

It's been ten years and we miss Dale Earnhardt. The first Gatorade Dual is at 2pm. Get your haircut (like this guy!) and get ready!!

Dale Jr. on the pole: Bud Shootout

Dale was fastest in practice and got the pole for tonight's Budweiser Shootout!!

While that may make Jr. Nation happy for today, a win at any of the races this week at Daytona would make a lot of people cry in the wake of the ten year anniversary of Dale Sr.'s passing.

I am routing for ya too, Dale!! Git-it!!

Bud Shootout this weekend!

Bud Shootout Saturday night, Daytona 500 Qualifying Sunday at 1pm.....a brand new surface, a brand new season....fired up!

The early pre-practice (Friday and Saturday) call is for Jr. to win The Shootout and for Ryan Newman to win the pole!

2011 Nascar Chase pre-season call

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Tony Stewart
3. Carl Edwards
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Kyle Bush
8. David Reutimann
9. Greg Biffle
10. Matt Kenseth

11. Kasey Khane
12. Joey Lagano

Paul Gozzo