Thursday, July 2, 2009

Right Sides Only

The NASCAR boys are bringing their toys to the beach this week. Back to the scene of the year's first rainout finish. Yeah, Matt Kenseth's rain shortened Daytona 500 victory is nearly forgotten, as David Reutimann's and Joey Logano's wet wins will soon be also.

Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 should be a great one. Don't know about having a Zero in the name of a sporting event though. The July race was called the Firecracker 400 for decades. Now, that's a name. Firecracker! Put Firecracker 400 on a trophy and even Kyle Busch would cherish it.

Twenty-five years ago Richard Petty won his 200th (and last) Cup race in the Firecracker 400. Forty-five years ago AJ Foyt won his first (not his last though) Cup race in the Firecracker 400. Two years ago Jamie 'Cupcake' McMuray won his second (and last) Cup race in the Coke Zero 400.

Jeremy Mayfield found a judge to give him a temporary injunction allowing his return to NASCAR. The judge basically scolded NASCAR's half-assed drug testing program. NASCAR did present signed statements from some drivers including Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon stating that they wouldn't feel safe competing against someone who had failed NASCAR's drug test. Wonder if NASCAR will be paying for JJ and Jeff's lawyers when Mayfield cleans up, ala Marcia Grant?

Some good news from TNT, Bill Weber has been replaced as lead announcer for their remaining race telecasts. Ralph Sheheen will take over. Seems Billy boy didn't play well with others in N.H. last week.

TNT will also be broadcasting Saturday night's race in a widescreen letterbox format. Also, no national commercials will be shown during the race. Instead on screen graphics and messages will be scrolled during live action.

Dale Earnhardt Jr has two wins at Daytona and 11 top-10s in 19 starts. Jr will be sneaking up on everyone in a special hand painted U.S. Army camouflage car this week. Martin Truex Jr has made eight starts here and has yet to garner a top-10 finish. Must be those tricky restarts.

Mark Martin has never won at Daytona, in 48 starts. Tony Stewart has two wins and 11 top-10s in 21 starts. Kyle Busch has one win and four top-5s in 9 starts here.

Mike Wallace has five top-10s in 18 starts. Wallace will be driving the #64 with Fred's Discount Stores on board. Gander Mountain is sponsoring Tony Raines in the NNS and Cup races at Daytona this weekend.

Happy Indepence Day everyone! Freedom isn't free!

2 comments:

  1. Looks like weather might be playing a role again this weekend. I wont be able to watch it live -- too many bbq's. Hopefully the DISH network will figure it out!

    YAY! Only dealing with one Weber this weekend.

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  2. It wouldn't hurt me to see this race postponed until Sunday. I'm having company over and won't be able to watch the race on Saturday night.

    Kristen, LOL. YOUR Weber plays better with others than the TNT's version.

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