Sitting on my couch, covered in chip crumbs, I was watching the Gatorade Duels at Daytona, thinking why isn't every NASCAR race run this way? It is faster, more interesting, drivers are willing to take more chances and the race is better. But I am getting off topic.
I couldn't help but notice that watching Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning his first two races after being surrounded by better talent, he is a better driver. Most may think that this is captain obvious speakling right now, but generally better talent, brings better results.
Junior has been a great driver for the past 5 years and he has been surrounded by less talented people at DEI, yet he still found success. Now he is is surrounded by probably the best talent in NASCAR at Hendrick, and he is a great success. 2 wins in 2 races. Batting 1.000 isn't so bad i guess?
This situation is strangely simlar to the situation that Tom Brady found himself in at the beginning of this past NFL season. He was surrounded by better talent with name receivers and not your local bag boy at your local grocery store. Like Earnhardt, was with lesser talent, good but lesser talent, and found success. Brady had more success but both were successful.
Next we have Junior showing up in his first two races, he wins. While surrounded by better talent, both found immediate success. Brady went 16-0 and lost in the Super Bowl, Junior is 2 for 2. Granted it is early, but it looks good so far.
Now for my NASCAR preview:
Sprint Cup Champion: I would like to think it would be Jimmie Johnson but I don't think a three-peat would be possible. I think Junior will be competitive but Tony Stewart is my pick.
Rookie of the Year: Dario Franchitti, Experienced in open-wheel that is similar to NASCAR and I think he will find success. Either Franchitti or Sam Hornish.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet, but Toyota with Joe Gibbs will keep it interesting.
To quote DW, "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, Let's Go Racing Boys!!!!"
According to Harris Interactive, when 100 million people watch the game, people tend to notice.
Harris Interactive released a poll on Feb. 5 about Americas favourite sport. A link to the poll is here. The only people surveyed in this entire survey are Americans. Some of you may surprised at the number 5 entry, because I know I was:
Pro Football (DUH!!!!)
Major League Baseball (I thought it would be number 3)
College Football (Thought it would be number 2 if not number 1)
Auto Racing (NASCAR's marketing make it viable)
Hockey (WHAAAAAA!!!!)
Number 5 really surprised me because I thought that most Americans cared more about about professional or college basketball which ranked which were 6 and 7 respectively. Also, men's golf ranked 8. Another thing that shocked me was that bowling at number 11 beat boxing at number 14.
They also mention the change in percentage of followers has risen in pro football, college football, auto racing and hockey. Each rose 6%, 2%, 5% and 3% respectively.
What shocked me was that even though baseball has recorded record revenue, they dropped 8% and pro and college basketball each dropped 2%.
This poll is only measured a certain number of Americans, this isn't a concensus of the general population.
