Saturday, January 12, 2008
So here's the thing about testing, on the inside (and by inside I mean inside the teams) it's very important. In Daytona, they learn how the COT will react when on a restrictor plate track that involves handling and lots and lots of bumps, as well as the getting-to-know you time it provides for new teams. But to us on the outside, besides serving as the long awaiting semi-start to the season, it means nothing. Speeds don't really matter, since most teams aren't showing everything they have anyway, and the final test speeds include drafting, which flips everything upside down anyway. So when I see articles titled, "Kyle Busch fastest at Daytona" I have to wonder if that reporter has ever covered NASCAR before, or as I suspect, they are as desperate as we all are for something, anything, that allows us to talk about racing.
All I know is, it sure was nice to see cars back out on the track again.
It seems there was one other person that was as excited about testing as some of us were: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Who was waiting at the gate, trying to bribe officials into letting him hop into one of his teammates cars and being an all-around cool, committed driver. (I'm kidding about the bribing part, for those of you who take life too seriously.)
It was cool to see him there and it will be even cooler to see him back in the car on Monday.
In other, non-testing news, I read an article with quotes from a NASCAR official about a possible change to the qualifying rules. As always, NASCAR is the last to realize a great idea, but either way, it looks like the guys outside the top 35 will qualify together to even up the playing field, so to speak.
I still think some tweaking should be done to the actual top 35 rule. I'm not one of those that think only the fastest should qualify, although I get where they are coming from, I also understand that NASCAR is a business and the first time Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson or Dale Jr miss a race, NASCAR's stock will plummet. I just think maybe only the top 20 or so should be locked in, thus opening more spots for the other guys. Because let's face it, the bigger and stronger teams like HMS, JGR and Roush Racing get, the harder it is for the little guys to get into races, but if we give them more of an opportunity, hopefully the sport will grow instead of becoming a five team sport.
Last but certainly not least, I have a birthday list. Apparently almost all of my pals around ChicksView were born in December/January, so happy belated birthday to my favorite Californian, Mike and my hippie pal. Also, happy birthday Trish and happy early birthday to my partner in crime Meme. Jeez! Pile all of them on me at once, why don't ya!
Okay, I'm outta here. Have a great weekend.
-RC
Labels: Daytona testing
Thanks for the Happy Birthday...and I am enjoying my present (excuse my pervertedness) ah testing- I love it, cars on the track...I, like Vroom, cant wait for Jr to roll it off :)
I can't agree with you more about the top 20 rule. Multi-car teams had better be able to make the top 20, and let the smaller teams get a better shot at making more races. It's not like they don't have provisionals to fall back on if they do off load the car on Friday and totally miss the setup.
Thanks Dave. And not only that but if by chance the big teams do miss a race, it's only a devastating weekend, not the final blow that would shut them down like the smaller teams.
Ha..you are so right about the speeds. Which is a double-edged sword of sorts cause we like to think they are always racing right? If not judging by the speeds then how do we know if our guy has won?
You hit it on the head, "serving as the long awaiting semi-start to the season"..that's all we can truly get out of it.
Possible change to qualifying rule? Really? Where'd you read that at? I'd like to find out more about that scoop.
This is why I need to remember to post links to articles I find... because I can never find them later. I'll keep looking though.
You should be hearing from me soon about the fantasy league, by the way. :)
