Daytona 500

[abpk2903]

I know there isn't a lot of NASCAR fans on the board but for the few there are and the "drive-by" fans I thought I would start a thread for the biggest racing week of the year.

A lot of transition in the sport right now here are some of the changes that are new or are coming soon:

-Drivers: the sport is sort of turning a page. Gordon is in his final year, Earnhardt Jr., Johnson, Harvick, Stewart, Newman, Kurt Busch, Kenseth, Biffle, McMurray, and many more are right around the 40 yrs old mark or older. But the future looks very bright for the sport. Logano is already a contender at 24, Ty and Austin Dillion (grandsons of Richard Childress, Earnhardts longtime car owner), Chase Elliott (son of Bill), Ryan Blaney (son of Dave), Jeb Burton (son of Ward, nephew of Jeff), John Hunter Nemechek (son of Joe), Kyle Larson, Jason Allgier, and Trevor Bayne (prior Daytona 500 champion) are some of the names you will hear about over the next 20 years.

-TV Presentation: NASCAR is entering a new TV contract that has a lot of promises for shorter time slots within it. We already seen the effect of this contract in the new Daytona 500 qualifing format. They now send cars out in groups rather than the previous single car 3 lap runs. Makes it a better product to watch on tv. It has cost 4 race teams already. A pile up in qualifing Sunday will send at least 4 teams to back-up cars for the season's biggest race. I expect to see a lot less 500 mile/lap races in the future and many more 300-400 lap/miles events. It makes one of the biggest funders of the sport (TV) much more happy.

-Affordability for Teams: This has me excited. 50 cars entered for the 500 for 43 spots. It appears Joe Nemechek has pulled his entry but still 44 of these teams have indicated they have the funding to run all 37 remaining sanctioned events. That means qualifying will actually matter again. NASCAR has done a great job of limiting unnecessary expenses for these teams. Several years ago the big teams could travel to test at 7 tracks a year, bought specialty products (like oils) just for qualifying, and had track specific cars. By eliminating these things more small teams are being competitive. In the last few years Front Row Motorsports, Petty Enterprises, Furniture Row Racing, JT Daughtry Racing, and The Wood Brothers have all entered winning cars. 10 years ago, I thought small teams like this were a thing of the past.

Championship: Last year was the first year of a tournament style, knockout championship format. Though the old folks of the sport bucked it, it was a huge success. In the end, the fastest car all year won the Cup but it does allow for a Cinderella story, as well. This format makes the final race the most important of the year. I think this is a change for the better.

Some of these changes are good, some may not work out. I will give NASCAR credit, they realized several years ago that their product was broken and they have made many changes to try to evolve the sport. If you haven't watched in a while, now may be the best time to give NASCAR another shot.

[billmurray]

I grew up around Jimmy Spencer and will say this, after watching that awful qualifying session sunday I will probably never watch again. That format may work for Indy and Grand Prix with their 23 car fields but wow, what a clusterfbomb it was for nascar. Yes, their product is broken...the fix is simple, they need to watch the 2002 season and how things were done...go back to that format and lower the prices by half...the prices will STILL be more the what they were but the ordinary fan will be able to afford to go again. THAT is how they lost their fan base....too much change and too high priced

[abpk2903]

I couldn't disagree with you more. The price for an average seat at a NASCAR race is $60. That is very comparable and fair pricing for a ticket. Compare that to other sporting events and it is probably below par. You can get seats to some races for under $30. I mean, they can't give their seats away.

What is wrong with change? Why do so many older NASCAR fans hate the chase? Before the chase, I can think of just a few close, down to the last few races, multiple team, championship battles over the prior 15 years. Those in the championship battles would simply aim to finish in the top 10 each week. Compare that to last year, or even the years of the Chase when routinely 3+ drivers went to the final race with a chance.

The TV ratings for the Shootout were up 33% from last year and qualifying was up 24%. That's progress.

50 cars and over 2 dozen different race teams entered for the 500. That's progress.

Wood Brothers, Front Row Motorsports, JT Daughtry Racing, and Furniture Row Racing all have a fairly new shiny trophy to show potential sponsors. That's progress.

[konjo78]

Nascar has made some positive changes recently. I love knock out qualifying and the new chase format. As for the Daytona 500 i believe Hendrick are the teams to beat. I wouldn't be surprised to See JR win his second in a row or gordon be pushed for his win in his final season

[abpk2903]

My predictions:

Winner: Carl Edwars
Dark Horse: Martin Truex Jr.
Dark Dark Horse: Ty Dillon

Some drivers you don't typically see at the front that may have a shot this week: Sam Horish Jr., Danica Patrick, Casey Mears, and Micheal Waltrip

[say_oww]

I hate NASCAR. I'd much rather watch races at Bedford Speedway.

[Manfred]

Move over. I'm there beside you. On another note, there is nothing like the smell of nitromethane in the morning!

[konjo78]

What a disappointing end to the race.... no need to throw that final caution

[upnorth]

DItto. I can't believe I wasted an hour + on the race. At least the Flyers won...

[konjo78]

Amen to that last part! 3 points out of playoffs miracles can happen