How would you rate the 50th running of the Daytona 500? How about Speedweeks in General?
in NASCARThe entire Speedweeks at Daytona was one for the record books for the Cup Series in both a positive and a negative way. When speedweeks started off with the “One Big” on the Friday night before the Budweiser Shootout that involved Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch, I was asking why isn’t NASCAR parking Kurt Busch for the aftermath of him slamming into Stewart twice while entering pit road, however some including me were surprised the next Tuesday when NASCAR handed down a probation of 6-races for each driver, I was shocked.
At that point I asked two questions, first being why was Stewart given a 6-race probation, he didn’t do anything that I noticed and second, only probation for Busch… I could understand maybe not parking him, but please. NASCAR wants the drivers to show more emotions and the way I look at is that what happened at Walkins Glen last season between Harvick and Montoya, the key there, they were outside of there cars and not punching each other, that I like, that’s emotion.
However using you car as a weapon doesn’t work at all for me period and its an automatic penalty. I guess the third question should have been what is probation and what happens next? In that case who knows, will we see NASCAR react in that case… who knows and I wouldn’t count on it.
The Budweiser Shootout on the other hand showed a good race with lead changes and action thoughout the field and it ended with Dale Jr. winning his first race driving for Hendrick Motorsports. When you followed that up with the two Duel races that showed the same results with Dale Jr. winning the first Duel and Denny Hamlin in his Toyota winning the second duel.
At this point, it was all a building up to the 50th running of the Daytona 500 which I would rate somewhere in the lower part of the top 10. In no way does it even come close to last years with the second closes finish in 500 history and the wreck coming to the checkered nor does it top either the 1979 with the fight in the infield nor the famous 1998 500 when Dale Earnhardt after 20 years of trying won the 500 and the incredible seen on pit road following the race. However the 50th was a good one nonetheless.
I would describe the 50th Daytona 500 as what we had seen all week long, good close racing with a car that put on a good show and to top it all off, while you had a couple of different strung out packs at times and you needed a partner to do almost anything, the ending was one a little like last year in terms of coming up on the last lap to win, and what surprise winner with a last lap pass that brought me back even more towards last year and it all ended not with Tony Stewart who was leading on the white flag or Kyle Busch who lead the most laps, but with the Rocketman Ryan Newman pulling off the upset victory.
A surprise winner - the Rocketman Ryan Newman wins the 50th running of the Daytona 500. (Credit: Motorsport.com)
Be honest now, how many people picked Ryan Newman to win, let along Dodge to win, not me, I was behind Dale Jr. and I wouldn’t have been surprised if one of the Hendrick drivers nor a Gibbs driver won this race. I have to tip my hat to Ryan Newman, great show, way to be there at the end. Good winner, the nice guy in this case did finish first.
In the end, Speedweeks was good and so the Daytona 500, I even enjoyed the way NASCAR paid tribute to their history with the past winners, now it’s off to California, let’s go racing boys.
- Racedriven
7 Feedback/Comments:
All the races of Speedweeks, including the Daytona 500 were relatively clean, especially for restricter plate races. I am very impressed by the show the new car puts on. I think it is a portent of a great racing season.
No, I did not expect Ryan Newman, or Dodge to win, and was really surprised that six of the top ten finishing positions were Dodges, because there was no indication from practice, testing, or the Duels that this would happen. I guess we could say that the Dodge teams sandbagged to stay under the radar of the other teams.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, I rate the 500 an 8 and Speedweeks a 9.9
I'm obviously disappointed that Tony didn't win, once again being able to compare him to Earnhardt Sr. in the "When will he ever win this one" category. I didn't see either one of the Penske cars finishing in the top 15, much less one and two. I'm very happy for Penske, as his team has never won a plate race, much less the biggest rave of the year. Newman is a good racer, a good winner, a nice guy, and a credit to our sport. Wish I could say the same for his teammate. The ending was close, even if not as close as previous. You had to watch the last lap to know who won, and that's all I ask for in a race. I think i'll keep watching.
When it comes to the Penske Racing Dodges, I didn't figure them to finish in the top 15 neither. I wonder how they will do the rest of the year?
As for Tony Stewart not winning the Daytona 500 yet, I wouldn't put much into period.
thanks for the comments
Boy, you hit it on the head. I think Ryan had a 30 to one at Vegas. He is not my favorite, a bit on the quiet side. No one mentioned Jeff Burton. He was leading near the end and has pulled off some unusual wins.
I love your blog and will be back.
Great blog. I will visit again. Not a Newman fan, but it was an exciting ending to a dull race. I was a bit disappointed with most of the racing. I think NASCAR did the right thing not pulling #2 off.
They need to be able to vent, but, I agree, don't use the cars to fight back.
That was the first time I'd watched the Daytona 500 all the way through. For the most part nothing happened and it just seemed to come down to luck who won and who didn't. But I've been told not to write off NASCAR until I've seen watched of the other races so I'll keep an eye on it to see if the season gets better.
Keith,
That was the first time you watched the Daytona 500 all the way though and your an F1 fan, you must have loved my previous column on me saying goodbye to Formula 1.
As for NASCAR, Hay, I tell it like it is, just keep an open when watching and give it a chance, you might just be surprised.
Enjoy... oh yeah, Martinsville, Richmond and Bristol races, those are key.
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