#60 Michael Shank Racing Ford with A.J. Allmendinger, Ozz Negri, John Pew and Justin Wilson wins the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona.

(Photo Credit: Daytona International Speedway Facebook Page)

What battle for the lead it was during the final 2.5 hours between the #60 Michael Shack Racing Ford driven at the time by A.J. Allmendinger and the #8 Starworks Motorsport Ford driven at the time by Allen McNish that was then turned over to Ryan Dalziel for the final two hours for the race. These two beat and bang on each other, swapping the lead between the two of them several times. But in the end, it was the #60 Michael Shack Racing driven by A.J. Allmendinger with co-drivers Ozz Negri, John Pew and Justin Wilson that captured the overall victory in the 50th (2012) Rolex 24 at Daytona. Hell of a job to Michael Shack Racing and the drivers. And also, great job to second place #8 Starworks Motorsport Ford with co-drivers Dalziel / Luhr / McNish / Popow / Potolicchio.

In GT, it was Andy Lally, John Potter, Richard Lietz and Rene Rast in the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche over the #67 TRG. 

What an interesting race, but just one question, a family member asked me why do they run the Rolex 24 at Daytona with really nobody in the grandstands? Personally I really didn't have an answer for him other than made for television. These 24 hour races don't normally have people in the grandstands, but instead fans attend these races using their campers/RV's. Of course the Rolex 24 at Daytona doesn't draw as many fans as the 12 hours of sebring and especially the 24 hours of LeMans. 

NASCAR changes policy and now will publicly disclose fines in 2012 - Fans and media cheer.

Earlier today, NASCAR issued a statement on how fines will be disclosed to the public beginning this season:

NASCAR will no longer issue fines that are undisclosed. We looked at this issue from every angle and gathered feedback from the industry. While there are always sensitivities related to sponsor relationships and other leagues may continue issuing disclosed and undisclosed fines, NASCAR has decided that all fines moving forward will be made public after the competitor or organization that has been penalized has been informed. (Read Statement at NASCAR.com)

As a NASCAR fan, I have seen this sport change over the years from its stars to its policies and while the "Boy's Have at it" policy hasn't changed that let's drivers wreck each other at will if they see fit, at least NASCAR is making the effect to make changes as needed in the sport and today's statement that NASCAR will now publicly disclose fines in 2012 is a good step forward.

Basically as one NASCAR fan commented on this article on NASCAR.com, "There is no secrets in the garage anyhow. It always gets out." And to that I give you the examples of Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin and  Brad Keselowski, they are received secret fines.

Ford unveils the new 2013 NASCAR Ford Fusion during the NASCAR Media Tour.

Earlier today during the NASCAR Media Tour, Ford unveils there new 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racecar that will debut at the 2013 Daytona 500. The new racecar does in fact look more similar to the street version than the 2012 NASCAR racecar. However the new racecar add more including four doors (decals), but not bad, they are getting better.

(Photo Credit: Ford Racing via Jayski.com)

(Photo Credit: Autoguide.com)

A 1948 Tucker Torpedo, 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and a 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee stool the show at the 2012 Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale.

Its Saturday night and here I am still watching the 2012 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction live on SPEED which is in Scottsdale, AZ. In watching this collector car auction like I do every year for the last several years, there is always those few special vehicles that have caught my attention and on this Saturday night, there were three collector cars that were jaw droppers to say the least.

(Photo Credit: Barrett-Jackson Official Website)

1. One top seller, a 1948 Tucker Torpedo from the 5000 series collection that hammered away for $2,260,000. What a work of art.

(Photo Credit: Barrett-Jackson Official Website)

2. 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (one of 146 in 1954) with 4,149 Original Miles, a rare car and it crossed the block and sold for $2 Million Dollars and in my opinion, it was well worth it. This car to me is considered priceless. It is the ride.

(Photo Credit: Barrett-Jackson Official Website)

3. A 1969 Dodge Charger (General Lee #1) sold for $110K. Considering the fact that I'm not only a huge fan of the television show "The Dukes of Hazzard" and one of the collector cars that I would love to own before I die is a 1969 Dodge Charger, it should be no surprise that this ride got my full attention.

After all that the 2012 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction brought for hammer prices and amazing rides, I just have one question, how will 2013 top this one? 

A quick note on the 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback that sold for $350,000 at the 2012 Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale.

(Photo Credit: Barrett-Jackson Official Website)

One of the collector cars that crossed the auction block earlier tonight at the Barrett-Jackson really caught my attention was a barn find or garage find in this case, a 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback that sat in a garage for over three decades undriven.

In my opinion, this Shelby is a classic, its original and you just don't find a classic car like this anymore. But it also begs the question, what would you do with this 1965 Shelby GT350?

Well I thought about that and personally I thought that $200,000 would be well worth it, but I have to say that I was shocked to see that a bidder paid $350k for this ride.

As for what I would do with the ride, well an option would of course be to have a full restoration done to it, but actually I would take this Shelby and just have it repainted white with blue strips like it was when it was in the showrooms, how some maintenance done, register it and drive it to car shows and Sunday drives. Its better left as much original as possible. Of course I love resto-modes, but this ride would be one that I would touch in that way, it would be a waste.