About Me:
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
About Me:
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
About Me:
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
Red, White, and You. The first week of July celebrates independence for all of North America. Our Canadian cousins deem the first of the month the day they give thanks for their freedoms. Us southerners pay homage on the 4th of July. We can all agree that a single day is not enough. This Saturday, a little bit more south, you will find one of the most patriotic displays giving thanks for our freedom. At 200 mph!
Display your flag with pride, break out the barbecue, fireworks, sip on a cold one, tune into FOX this Saturday night at 7:30pm ET, LIGHT FUSE, GET AWAY! Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, let's go restrictor plate racing! The biggest American sporting event of the 4th of July weekend is the Firecracker 400. (Or add a few president portraits, and call it the Pepsi 400.) Nothing sends more shivers down the collective racing fans spine then the word, DAYTONA. It doesn't get any better then a Saturday night under the lights at the World Center of Racing. The boys play homage to the stars and stripes, break out their most expensive cars, dress them in festive paint schemes, strap on the restrictor plates, and go racing. Folks, this is as American as apple pie. And just as sweet!
This is not just any race, not just any track, and these aren't anything close to the everyday racecars. And do I need to remind anyone that this is not just any other weekend? Saturday night at Daytona, we are expecting a Firecracker.
Dime Edition
Racers Race: Daytona Preview
Borris Said #160, (Road race ringer,) will start from the Pole, with Tony Stewart #20 on the outside. Jimmy Johnson #48 will be going for his third win in a row for restrictor plate races, starting in the 9th position. It doesn't seem that long ago that JJ was coined an, 'idiot,' by Junior for his performance here. A year later he is considered the favorite for the win. The dark horse pick has to be Denny Hamlin #11 from Joe Gibbs Racing in the Fed Ex Chevrolet. The only way of recognizing that he is a rookie would be that yellow strip on his back bumper. (Rookie Stripe) He will be starting at the 6th position. Look for him to be fallowing his teammate, Tony Stewart #20 in the lead at some point. Smoke is my pick to take the checkers. After some tough luck in the last two weeks, you can bet Tony is looking forward to that green flag more then anyone. Jeff Gordon will be a threat with his momentum coming off of last weeks win. The #24 car will be starting in the 4th position. Elliot Sadler #38,(starting 13th,) looked like he had a great set up in qualifying. The M&M Ford really needs a strong performance for all 10 races that are leading up to the chase. Sentimental favorite, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be starting his #8 Chevrolet at the 36th position. He has got a lot of traffic to drive through, but don't expect it to be too long before he is racing within the top ten. Anyone with the name Earnhardt still dominates restrictor plate racing in my book, and he looked like his old self Friday night in the Busch Series.
Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! Let's start listening for those most famous words of Motorsports, 'GENTLEMAN, START YOUR ENGINES!'
Safety is the top priority of any and all motorsports. Daytona and Talladega are the two tracks that are feared the most. It is still tough talking about it, but the year of 2001 is an example of why many people want these tracks shut down. On the final lap between turn 3 and 4 at the Daytona 500, we lost one of the greatest drivers of all time. Earnhardt's death was the 27th in the history of the track, and 27 too many. Every time the Nextel Cup comes to Daytona, a heavy heart comes along with it. Just like we will be paying homage to our founding fathers, and all of our brothers and sisters that serve this country this up coming week, we also pay respect to some of the greats every time we race at Daytona. This weekend the stars and stripes take center stage. This week, we pray an extra prayer for safety all over the world.
The danger to drivers, and spectators, has people begging to at least build better safety fences at Daytona to keep the cars on the track, and do away with the restrictor plates all together. The reason behind taking away the restrictor plates for these races is the same reason why they are there in the first place. Safety is the factor why they use them, trying to limit the horsepower to keep these cars from getting out of control and airborn. These tracks are so aerodynamic sensitive that the cars will float in the air currents. The problem is the fact that driving at the same speeds makes everyone race in giant groups, instead of spacing the cars out like normal tracks. When the Big One happens, the lack of horsepower makes it more difficult to escape the wrecks. Drivers depend on speed to get out of harms way. Breaking is mostly a last result; acceleration is always the first reaction. Now, NASCAR has taken a few steps to try and help to space out these cars on these monster tracks with smaller fuel cells. The reasoning being that with less fuel, cars are forced to pit more, in hopes that this will help space the cars throughout the length of the race. Safety has been the hot topic for these tracks since day one, and the year of 2001 is the prime example.
The Firecracker 400, (now known as the Pepsi 400,) is one of the biggest events on the NASCAR circuit. NASCAR fans are just as patriotic, as they are gear heads. These fans are compassionate people, and you will see an example of this on Saturday night in Daytona. It's a night to celebrate this great country. A night of great racing. And hopefully it will be a night to commemorate safety all around the world.
Everyone will have Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a sentimental favorite. And everyone will be thinking of one of the greatest Firecracker 400's in history. Five mouths after that dark day in Daytona in 2001, Dale Earnhardt Jr had to return to this track. He had to face that same wall that stole his father. He had to face the emotion of what this track holds for him. He remembers pulling up to the track that 4th of July weekend, and will never soon forget it. We won't forget it either. Dale Earnhardt Jr. marked his return to Daytona with one of his greatest races in his career. A victory that every single race fan was pulling for. A victory that helped ease the pain and fear of this track. A 4th of July to remember. The Firecracker 400 is so much more then a race.
The 4th of July weekend is upon us. Celebrations are planned all over the United States. One of the biggest will be Saturday night under the lights in Daytona. NASCAR Nextel Cup goes restrictor plate racing, and over the next 3 days I will be writing the column, Driving to Daytona, leading up to the Pepsi 400. Let's Go Racing!
Driving to Daytona: The Big One
Part 1 - Restrictor Plate Rundown
3 Days till the Green Flag Drops
Daytona, not another single word holds as much to race fans. It's a place of beauty, tragedy, and history. It's a word that's loud, fast, and slides through the air like a perfectly crafted arrow. It's the Firecracker, it's time to dance in Daytona.
Within the Nextel Cup season there are 4 restrictor plate races. Two of them are raced at Daytona, and two of them at Talladega. These races are high profile, high speed, and come along with a high price tag. Restrictor plate cars are the most expensive cars in the teams garage. Thousands of man-hours are put into the aerodynamics, the engines, the set ups, the safety, even the paint schemes. Some drivers love racing the superspeedways, others despise it. The fear of the BIG ONE can keep even the most experienced driver up at night. The fans are the true winners.
What is a restrictor plate?
The simple reason why we race with restrictor plates is safety. With the high banking and long open runs on both of these tracks, the cars must be limited in horsepower and high end speed. A metal plate with small-calculated holes is placed over the air intake of the engine, suffocating the normal 850 horsepower in half. This drastically drags down the acceleration and top speed of these cars. (Top speeds will be around 200mph.) Since most of these races are ran with the throttle completely open at all times, the level of danger is incredible. Even with the restrictor plates in place, the big one is hardly ever avoided.
What is the Big One?
What plagues these restrictor plate races are the huge wrecks. The term is used an average of 300 times per race telecast. Avoiding the Big One is on everyone's game plan. While most every track has multiple wrecks every race, the superspeedways are notorious for at least one big one. Since all the engines are handicapped with limited horsepower, they mostly race all in giant groups. A single lapse of concentration can result in a 10 plus car wreck. You don't want to be the one to cause the Big One, and you don't want to be racing anywhere near it when it happens. And it always happens!
What drivers have the advantage in restrictor plate races?
Although experience makes a huge advantage on these superspeedways, it has more to do with the car. As far as who has an advantage, it comes down to which team has the most money behind the design, most time in the wind tunnel, and the best front end set-up. Engines can be tweaked to gain a few extra horsepower, but aerodynamics rule the track.
What is the biggest factor in racing well?
Drafting is the game plan here. Cars will drive within less then an inch of each others bumpers, avoiding air drag and resulting in making the group of cars drive faster. Teammates make a huge difference, and friends can be a factor as well. Look for the other drivers to be watching for one of the faster cars to hitch up to. Drafting is a must at these tracks, but is also the biggest factor of the wrecks.
What are the X-Factors of this race in Daytona?
The Pepsi 400 is an impound race this weekend. What that means is that teams will have to set up their cars for racing conditions while they are qualifying. Most cars are set up differently for qualifying then race day. And this week they will be qualifying in the sun, and racing a cooler track the next night. (With so many races going on this week leading up to the Cup, the extra rubber left on the track will be a factor as well.) During impound races, cars are locked away after qualifying and are not permitted to be worked on before the race starts. If teams choose to work on their cars between qualifying and the drop of the green flag, they are penalized to start the race from the back of the field.
WHAT?
It all comes down to teams in Daytona. Teammates race together, helping each other in the draft. They all share information, set ups, and experience. Chevrolet is the current king of the track as far as manufactures. Tony Stewart won this race last year, and lead all but 9 laps. Jimmy Johnson won the Daytona 500 earlier this year, but he won't be using the same car. The #48 car that he won with is currently on display at the track.
Jeff Gordon put his career back on the right track with a right turn this weekend. He has really found some good news from every direction. After announcing his engagement to his long time super model girlfriend, he fallowed it up with his first win of the season at the road course in Sonoma. Everyone was quick to crown him 'King of the Road,' with his 9th win on a road course, the most by any driver in NASCAR. That's not the only historical sight Jeff Gordon is keeping in his windshield. He is 2 wins away from Dale Earnhardt's all time win total of 76.
Jeff Gordon got his 74th career win on Sunday. Coming off of a top ten finish the week before, Jeff Gordon is back into the chase, currently ranked 8th in the standings. He has momentum, he has his girl, he has his confidence back, he has his monkey off of his back, but he still has a lot of work to do.
It takes a little bit more then respect in this league. Although Jeff Gordon is no doubt respected for his career, and unquestioned driver skill, the 'what have you done for me lately,' mentality comes into play a lot faster then career stats around the garage. Questioned for his focus this year, Jeff Gordon's current ability is mentioned within the same breath. His ability on the road course is not. This weekend, in his native state of California, Gordon sipped wine in Victory Lane. The record book looks just as sweet for Jeff Gordon, a welcomed change from his sour luck.
It is easy to say that Jeff Gordon will pass Dale Earnhardt in the all time win category, and just as easy to say that he will be remembered as one of the all time greatest drivers, but how long is it going to take him to get two more victories? The new generation of NASCAR fans find it hard to see what is so impressive with the #24. Maybe it is not Gordon's fault. The competition has gotten cut-throat. Names like Jimmy Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, and Carl Edwards to name just a few, are currently huge threats, and can win on any given weekend. Even rookie, Denny Hamlin is starting to turn heads within the league. Two victories may not seem like much in such a storied career, but these next two wins may end up the toughest test for Gordon. And rightfully so, it's the mark of Dale Earnhardt.
Even Jeff Gordon himself said it during his interview in victory lane. "Man, I didn't know if we were ever going to win another one of these races. I knew this team was something special, we just haven't had a chance to really show it," he added. "They gave me such an awesome race car this weekend that I had to get them this win. If we didn't win with this car, we can't ever win." They did win, but they are well aware of the fact that the road ahead of them is tough. It maybe another year before we see Gordon get another victory, it maybe the next road course, or it maybe next week.
Just when you think the good news for Gordon could not have come at a better time, there is more on the horizon. Destination: Daytona is next weekend. Daytona!!!!
Within every race there are several races going on. Each driver has something, or someone to race against. In this section I will highlight a few races within this weeks race. The Racers Race.
Welcome to Smoke Country, aka - Sonoma, aka - Infinion. NASCAR takes a right turn into California this weekend at the famous road course. Two miles and 12 turns seperate the race from the glory. Experience is the special, and patience is on the menu. You need to think backwards with your game plan. Leave your lucky car in Carolina, and bring an extra transmission. Gears will be used and lost, and instead of high-end speed, you need to gear for low-end torque. You race the track, not the drivers. And while we are all used to making our passes coming out of the corners, you want to make your moves going into them. Wine Country, sometimes turns into whine country if your car can't make it 350 miles.
Racers Race: Infineon
1. Tony (Smoke) Stewart #20 vs. Jeff (Give it a Go) Gordon #24 - (Stewart: 6th in standings -367 Gordon: 11th in standings -499) This track could not have come at a better time for both of these driver's. Both hold claim over dominating this track. Both had transmission problems here last year. Both will qualify well. Both can win. Both of them need it. Ok, Gordon needs it. But after last weeks 41st place finish for Stewart in Michigan, he has got pride on the line. Stewart is the defending champion of this track, (despite having to hold his car in gear by hand last year,) and has 2 total wins in Sonoma, compared to 4 wins for Gordon. Has Tony had two bad races in a row this year? Has Gordon had two good races in a row this year? Give it a Go Gordon is coming off of a 8th place finish last week. Although they are not close enough to be racing each other in the standings, I am choosing these two drivers to race each other for bragging rights over the track.
2. Jamie (the other Roush driver) McMurray #26 vs. Ryan (NEWMAN) Newman #12 - Both have run well here, and last year they both ran Dodge cars. McMurray is now with Roush Racing, so it will be interesting to see if his Ford has the same luck. McMurray is currently in 15th place in the standings, while Newman is in 17th. Both need to start making some moves if they want to make the chase. Ryan Newman has an average finish at this track of 9.2, with his best finish of 5th place in 2003. Jamie McMurray has an average finish of 11.7 during his three races at this track, his best finish was 2nd in 2004. I'm going to give Jamie McMurray a slight advantage this week, just because I can.
3. Kyle (Shrub) Busch #5 vs. Denny (Game Boy) Hamlin #11 - Rookie Hamlin just landed in the top ten 2 weeks ago, (currently 9th -486) and Kyle (currently 12th -500) just dropped out. Both of these two young drivers are real close to each other in the standings. Kyle fell to 12th place, taking him out of the chase. Only 12 points separate him from 10th, so he will probably drive for contention. Don't expect him to drive the wheels off the car this weekend though, he has only raced this track once, and did not fair well with a 40th place finish. Denny Hamlin has never raced this track before in a cup car, so his chances may not appear good. But he did win a road course in Mexico in the Busch series, and I am sure he has won plenty of races at this track on his X-box. I give Denny Hamlin the advantage for character alone.
Honorable Mention - Mark (Marky) Martin #6 - Making his last appearance at this track in Sonoma, will prove how well he has mastered the right hand turn. An average finish of 7.3 will have everyone keeping a close eye on the #6 set up. He has one win at this track, and has never finished worse then 19th in his career.
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Borris Said #160, (Road race ringer,) will start from the Pole, with Tony Stewart #20 on the outside. Jimmy Johnson #48 will be going for his third win in a row for restrictor plate races, starting in the 9th position. It doesn't seem that long ago that JJ was coined an, 'idiot,' by Junior for his performance here. A year later he is considered the favorite for the win. The dark horse pick has to be Denny Hamlin #11 from Joe Gibbs Racing in the Fed Ex Chevrolet. The only way of recognizing that he is a rookie would be that yellow strip on his back bumper. (Rookie Stripe) He will be starting at the 6th position. Look for him to be fallowing his teammate, Tony Stewart #20 in the lead at some point. Smoke is my pick to take the checkers. After some tough luck in the last two weeks, you can bet Tony is looking forward to that green flag more then anyone. Jeff Gordon will be a threat with his momentum coming off of last weeks win. The #24 car will be starting in the 4th position. Elliot Sadler #38, (starting 13th,) looked like he had a great set up in qualifying. The M&M Ford really needs a strong performance for all 10 races that are leading up to the chase. Sentimental favorite, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be starting his #8 Chevrolet at the 36th position. He has got a lot of traffic to drive through, but don't expect it to be too long before he is racing within the top ten. Anyone with the name Earnhardt still dominates restrictor plate racing in my book, and he looked like his old self Friday night in the Busch Series.
Safety is the top priority of any and all motorsports. Daytona and Talladega are the two tracks that are feared the most. It is still tough talking about it, but the year of 2001 is an example of why many people want these tracks shut down. On the final lap between turn 3 and 4 at the Daytona 500, we lost one of the greatest drivers of all time. Earnhardt's death was the 27th in the history of the track, and 27 too many. Every time the Nextel Cup comes to Daytona, a heavy heart comes along with it. Just like we will be paying homage to our founding fathers, and all of our brothers and sisters that serve this country this up coming week, we also pay respect to some of the greats every time we race at Daytona. This weekend the stars and stripes take center stage. This week, we pray an extra prayer for safety all over the world. 
The danger to drivers, and spectators, has people begging to at least build better safety fences at Daytona to keep the cars on the track, and do away with the restrictor plates all together. The reason behind taking away the restrictor plates for these races is the same reason why they are there in the first place. Safety is the factor why they use them, trying to limit the horsepower to keep these cars from getting out of control and airborn. These tracks are so aerodynamic sensitive that the cars will float in the air currents. The problem is the fact that driving at the same speeds makes everyone race in giant groups, instead of spacing the cars out like normal tracks. When the 
The Firecracker 400, (now known as the Pepsi 400,) is one of the biggest events on the NASCAR circuit. NASCAR fans are just as patriotic, as they are gear heads. These fans are compassionate people, and you will see an example of this on Saturday night in Daytona. It's a night to celebrate this great country. A night of great racing. And hopefully it will be a night to commemorate safety all around the world.
Jeff Gordon got his 74th career win on Sunday. Coming off of a top ten finish the week before, Jeff Gordon is back into the chase, currently ranked 8th in the standings. He has momentum, he has his girl, he has his confidence back, he has his monkey off of his back, but he still has a lot of work to do. 
Even Jeff Gordon himself said it during his interview in victory lane. "Man, I didn't know if we were ever going to win another one of these races. I knew this team was something special, we just haven't had a chance to really show it," he added. "They gave me such an awesome race car this weekend that I had to get them this win. If we didn't win with this car, we can't ever win." They did win, but they are well aware of the fact that the road ahead of them is tough. It maybe another year before we see Gordon get another victory, it maybe the next road course, or it maybe next week.