Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 15, 2004 The Nextel Cup Series (formerly Winston Cup) kicks off it's regular seasons today with the DAYTONA 500. With a new Sponsor comes a radical change in the championship points system, The first 26 races of the season will follow the traditional format but then with 10 races remaining in the season, It becomes a CLASH OF CHAMPIONS where the Top 10 drivers and any driver within 400 points of the Points Leader will find their point total alternated to allow for a "Shootout Playoff" atmosphere for the remaining ten races. The idea is to Keep Ratings even more steady during the end of the season where it battles NFL and MLB Playoff and to prevent a situation like last year with Matt Kenseth from occurring, Kenseth only won one race in the season but due to his consistency of placing the top ten, he was able to dominate the points and took the title rather early with a few races remaining in the schedule, meanwhile Ryan Newman won 8 times and finished SIXTH in points, some thought that wasn't fair. Right now The Season has been wiped clean and it begins again today in DAYTONA. The favorites to win the DAYTONA as always are the DOMINANT DEI team that has combined to win four of the last six DAYTONA Season Races and countless other restrictor plate races(Talledega, Bud Shootout, 125s etc.), The Yates cars of Jarrett and Sadler have been impressive as each have secured a victory during speedweeks (Jarrett with the Shootout and Sadler with the 2nd 125) and don't forget Jarrett is seeking his FOURTH DAYTONA 500 Victory, Tony Stewart although has a problem getting there, has no problem STAYING there, but previous encounters at DAYTONA hasn't be fair to Stewart. It's the DAYTONA 500 and everyone has a realistic chance to win because you can't count out the Rousch Drivers (Burton, Busch, Martin, Biffle and of course Defending NASCAR Champion Kenseth), the Penske drivers (Newman and R. Wallace, whom has a dry spell at DAYTONA after 25 years), The RCR cars are always strong at Rescrictor Plate races (Harvick, R. Gordon and Rookie driver, Sauter). You can't forget about the Hendrick Cars with Jeff Gordan(who starts 39th today), Jimmie Johnson and Legend, Terry Labonte whom looked strong this week and continues to seek his first Daytona victory after nearly 30 attempts. The Championship Race isn't ANY different, the league is loaded with competitiveness drivers and about 3/4 of the Roster can arguably contend for the title. These are the big names Dale Earnhardt Jr.-#8-Guaranteed A Nextel Championship Last season if his crew stuck together (and they did), Junior, NASCAR's #1 draw is the most marketed Driver perhaps ever (even more so then Jeff Gordon was back in the mid 90's). Ryan Newman-#12 -Winner of Multiple Races last season and considered the toughest guy on the track even at his tender young age. It's believed if he can manage more consistency, he should not have a problem racing for the title. Matt Kenseth-#17 -Defending Champion who will be looking to prove he wasn't a fluke and to combat the new points system that many strongly believe was created JUST to keep him, someone whom isn't as charismatic as Jr. or Newman or Gordon from winning the title. Jeff Gordon-#24 -Four Time Champion is ALWAYS a threat and with his personal life issues behind him finally, He should be able to focus on his driving. Jimmie Johnson-#48 -Jeff Gordon's Protege and in just two seasons, has finished in the top five in points. Tony Stewart-#20 -Former Champion who slipped a little last season battling media issues and controversy with his status with Joe Gibbs Racing, with all that settled (he re-upped a deal with Gibbs), A focused and determined Stewart is one of the most dominant drivers on the circuit and he has the experience to go back. Kevin Harvick-#29 -No Longer considered JUST a hothead Dale Earnhardt Wannabe. After taking over the ride of the Late Dale Earnhardt, He has managed to keep the team alive with strong performances the last seasons but it's this year, He will have to prove that he can win, he was dangerously close last season until things fell apart for him at the end of the season... Mark Martin-#6-The Chris Benoit of NASCAR if you will. Has come CLOSE countless times to winning the championship and guided his protege, Matt Kenseth to the championship last season, He wants a taste for himself now. Don't Forget these contenders #2-Rusty Wallace #15-Michael Waltrip #18-Bobby Labonte #21-Ricky Rudd #31-Robby Gordon #38-Elliot Sadler #40-Sterling Marlin #42-Jamie McMurray #88-Dale Jarrett With a change in Sponsors comes a NEW ERA with a new CEO of NASCAR and already it's gone through RADICAL changes, we are about to see if it was for the good or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 So much for Martin, he's already out of contention. Goddammit. One less Ford that can win = (cry) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 ANOTHER Roush engine fails! Come on, man! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 15, 2004 looks like it's gonna be a BAD DAY for the Roush/Yates connection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 Ugh, don't remind me. We've got the first multi-car wreck of the day~! Would some Chevys mind fucking up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 So much for Waltrip's roof hatch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 DAAAAAAAAAYUM! How Waltrip survived is a testament to how safe this racing has become. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 I think you are giving Mark Martin too much credit, putting him in the list of contenders. IMO, he is racing for a job this year. Roush is starting to hurt for money and Busch and Kenseth aren't losing their spot and Biffle probably has a couple year test area. What is really saving him is the fact Jeff Burton sucks and would likely fall under the axe if only one has to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 15, 2004 DAMN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 I think you are giving Mark Martin too much credit, putting him in the list of contenders. IMO, he is racing for a job this year. Roush is starting to hurt for money and Busch and Kenseth aren't losing their spot and Biffle probably has a couple year test area. What is really saving him is the fact Jeff Burton sucks and would likely fall under the axe if only one has to go. I didn't mean contender in that sense, I just meant that by getting knocked out, he was technically out of contention period. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 I meant that in regards to the original post in the thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 I'd like to add that NBC is doing a bang-up job with their telecast. It was vital to put a good production on in order to snag the casual people who might have tuned in to see what all this NASCAR fuss was all about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 I have been getting into Nascar more and more over the years, and this is the first time I can say I have watched almost the entire race(with exception of doing my own racing with Nascar Thunder 2004). Pretty cool shit...Go Kenseth! Don't let The Man hold you down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 Ouch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 God, it looks like Tony's car is still suffering from "unable to catch" syndrome. I'm a Stewart fan but I'd like to see Scott Whimmer win. Just because it comes TOTALLY out of left field and I like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 zzzzzzzzzzzz Wow, good thing they have the smaller fuel cells to break up the field more. This has to be the worst 500 I have ever seen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 So I guess this adds to the #3 weirdness with Dale Earnhardt. Remember after he died the next 3 races had a crash on lap 3? Well...now he and Jr. are the 3rd father son to win the 500... And he won his first 500 3 years after his father died on the track...and he died 3 years after he first won it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 Don't forget that Kevin Harvick won 3 weeks later in Atlanta in his 3rd Winston Cup race. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 See, that's a celebration. Park yo' ass on the start/finish line and everyone runs out to the car. NBC Dude: How long is the party gonna go? Junior: I dunno, man! ^^ Why I like NASCAR. Anyone else catch Stewart The Outspoken talk smack about Andretti while being interviewed? EDIT: And the highest place Ford gets is 7th. This had better improve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 I am looking forward to tomorrow's race. I give it 50/50 odds the broadcast opens like this: Bestwick: Welcome back to the Hershey's Kisses 300. We start with some big news as there is a replacement for Junior today as....uh.....he is in no condition to participate today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 16, 2004 Yep...I'm sure Some Local Driver will replace Junior morrow... Not the best race but NASCAR gotta be happy that the two biggest names finished one-two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2004 You kidding? Junior can drive with a hangover. Christ, his sponsor is Bud...you honestly think he hasn't done it before? So so race, it would have been better with 6 or 7 cars up front since Tony had no chance in hell of catching Junior by himself. Lot of smack talking from the NASCAR guys though. Michael lays into the medical staff and Tony pisses on Johnny (DEI car that couldn't get going at ALL). FUN and fines soon to follow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2004 That was crap when Waltrip was talking about the medical staff. If he had even the slightest injury, do you know the shit that would have flown if they had aggravated it by turning the car over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 16, 2004 I missed that part...What did Mikey say? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2004 I expect most of the guys who raced today, will not tomorrow, since most were just out there to see how the track ran on Saturday. Best line was from Benny Parsons, who kept yelling for the EMT's to slowly flip the car over, like you can slowly flip a car that weighs a ton over! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted February 16, 2004 Worst 500?! The hell? Fantastic race and a GREAT finish. I loved it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2004 Of the Daytonas that I've personally seen, I'd put Earnhardt's win in '98 over this. That went down to the last one or two laps, I think. This year it was pretty clear that Stewart wasn't going to catch up. (curses restrictor plate racing for that and for keeping people so close that you get 12-car pileups) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted February 16, 2004 Spoiler for anyone taping the Busch race: Jr. won the Busch race as well and Johnny Sauter swept the weekend going two for two costing his teammate Kevin Harvick chances to win. If you remember yesterday when Sauter went through the pits like a moron, Harvick was coming in at that time with the leaders (Jr., Stewart, Busch). But when Sauter came flying in Harvick got pushed out back on the track sticking him with the Jimmie Johnson group that could never catch up. And then from the Busch race today: "I don't think Junior had the best car today, unless he was playing with us," Sauter said. "Harvick probably had the best car, but I kind of hung him out there." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 22, 2004 Starting Grid for Today's Subway 400 at North Carolina Speedway 1 Ryan Newman 2 Jamie McMurray 3 Kasey Kahne 4 Rusty Wallace 5 Jeff Gordon 6 Jeremy Mayfield 7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 8 Jeff Green 9 Dale Jarrett 10 Greg Biffle 11 Bobby Labonte 12 Joe Nemechek 13 Sterling Marlin 14 Casey Mears 15 Brendan Gaughan 16 Ward Burton 17 Ricky Craven 18 Ken Schrader 19 Scott Riggs 20 Brian Vickers 21 Mark Martin 22 Ricky Rudd 23 Matt Kenseth 24 Tony Stewart 25 Elliott Sadler 26 Kevin Lepage 27 Kurt Busch 28 Jeff Burton 29 Jimmie Johnson 30 Kyle Petty 31 Scott Wimmer 32 Kevin Harvick 33 Michael Waltrip 34 Robby Gordon 35 Terry Labonte 36 Johnny Sauter 37 Derrike Cope 38 Larry Foyt 39 John Andretti 40 Joe Ruttman 41 Kirk Shelmerdine 42 Carl Long 43 Andy Hillenburg *Jamie McMurray took the Busch Race yesterday and is a favorite for today but I'm putting my "money" on #88 Dale Jarrett. He OWNS Rockingham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 22, 2004 Not sure if anyone has been watching but it's been a pretty damn solid race today with interesting plot lines... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
