The first sign of the 2007 Nextel Cup Season is the phone ringing. I get the same call, around the same time of every year. The other end of the line is a dear old friend, and we repeat the same dialog from the year before. There is sign of life in Daytona.
This is the week that everyone in the NASCAR Nations phones starts ringing as well. It’s time to get back on track. Not only is the off-season short, it’s basically non-existent. The Daytona 500 is not only the Super Bowl of the Nextel Cup season; it’s the first race of the season.
In a single word, Daytona is a ‘Dream.’
In three words, Daytona is a ‘lot of work.’
Why is the biggest race of the year, the first race of the year? The short answer is history, but the truth is in the logistics.
Since 1959, ‘The Great American Race,’ has been held as the biggest event in Stock Car racing. It holds the largest prize purse, along with the highest prestige. To win the Daytona 500, is to have your name go down in history. Just to make the race is a cornerstone in any driver’s career. To succeed brings longevity. To fail, still brings fame.
But like every dream, it takes a ton of work just to get there. The preparations for the Daytona 500 can sometimes be measured by a lifetime. Most of the small details take almost 3 months to work out. In simple terms, that means there is no off-season. The best have no time to rest.
Most drivers do sneak in a vacation, but every top team in NASCAR keeps the garage lights on year round. Once the season starts, there is no room for error in making week-to-week adjustments. You have to prepare for every track on the schedule. You need to work out the logistics of ever-single race.
Besides tradition, and making it the most unique season of all professional sports, The Daytona 500 doesn’t fit anywhere else on the schedule. The biggest race of the year, takes the most time to prepare for. 3 months, or a lifetime at least.
So it’s that time of the year again. The team haulers have pulled up to Daytona for testing. The cars will be unloaded, and the drivers will be strapped in. A bit too early to make predictions of the green flag of the 2007 season, but it’s already getting too late to be behind in testing. Whichever way you look at it: the 2007 NASCAR season, and the phones have come to life.
And for anyone who is counting, the Daytona 500 is only 41 days away.
Bengals9 - HA! I have taken a bit of time off from blogging since it was the offseason of NASCAR. But I am back, and I can't wait for the new year.
Stewart is a great prediction. He has been traveling with a personal trainer, and is looking better then he has in years. After missing the Chase last year, you can bet he will be as strong as ever. I think that he makes a strong case for the Cup every year, but this year he has a ton to prove.
I am going with the prediction that I have had for this year, since the middle of last year. Kasey Kahne is going to have his best year ever. And after 6 wins last year, he will be a strong threat for most every race. My pick goes to the #9 Dodge. 'Kahne will Reign' in 2007!
Welcome back, Sidd! As long as we're doing predictions, I wouldn't count out that 24-car. The last time he settled down, got married, etc., he ripped off 3 championships in 4 years, and that was when Big "E" was racing! No telling what he'll do with a baby on the way!
ShooterB - Yeah, I know it's too early to say, but I have been saying it for 6 months already anyway. The 4th year is the Charm in NASCAR. And Kahne is on his 4th year, and is coming off of one of the best seasons anyone had in NASCAR last year. 6 wins! The kid was unstoppable weekends at a time. I also think Evernham is going to be a power team this year. Watch out!
And I will gladely take that $5. I have not put any money down yet, but I will this week. As of now, here are a few of the Vegas Odds for the 2007 Nextel Cup.
Tony Stewart 5/1
Jimmie Johnson 5/1
Matt Kenseth 7/1
Kasey Kahne 8/1
Jeff Gordon 11/1
Denny Hamlin 11/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 10/1
Kevin Harvick 12/1
Rapid Roy -It's good to see you posting as well. I would never count out #24 anyday. Like I wrote in my comment to Shooter, he has some good Vegas Odds as of now. I would put money on that. You know he will be a force at the Daytona 500. With his wife on hand, of course.
Although, I wasn't aware that he could afford another wife;)
"Hello...Daytona? I told you never to call me this late! No, you can't come over tonight...I can't really explain. What? You think I'm cheating on you with Indy? Well...uh, I don't know what to say. There is no truth to that at all. Just go back to sleep, and I'll call you in the morning."
OK, that was entirely unnecessary...but oh well.
Those are pretty good odds on Kahne. Might be worth a wager. Hopefully they take such bets at a nearby casino. And hopefully the minimum is not more than $5.
Just so you know ahead of time, I'm not splitting the winnings with you.
Daytona is definitely the biggest race of the season. How well you place here almost dictates your standings for the rest of the year so all the teams are burning the midnight oil to have a respectable showing in that race.
You might be right on Kahne, maybe not on Johnson(hard to have back to back championship titles),Stewart is a good possibility, Jr. might be if he gets good cars built, and the others is a wait and see.
Shooter B - Can you hear me now? Ok, that was far more lame then your comment. So I win. If I were you I would reach deeper in the pocket. Im coming off of a few thousand dollers in the red from last year. Put your money down. Um, yeah.
Nphotogr - I agree with you about JJ. But Knaus is hard to beat with all that money he has for that team. But I am going with that pick for Kahne. I know, a ton of work to do before we see anything close to the big picture this season. But a ton of fun talking a big game before we even get under green.
Well Preseason Thunder is exciting for most NASCAR fans, but for me, the Chili Bowl really gets me ready for racing. Each year I have that date circled on my calendar, that way I know in just four weeks from the Chili Bowl Speedweeks start and the NASCAR season is in full force. Sandwiched in between those two events is the Rolex 24 and the end of the football season.
Tsfanpc - I actually thought of you when Tony won the Chilly Bowl. I was going to write an entry on it. I kind of figured you would take that one. He did an amazing job, and it was his own team that he did it with. Oh, and the Chilly Bowl is also my favorite. I would trade tickets to Bristol under the lights for the Chilly Bowl. Iowagirl can contest to that.
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?
