Well with only a few weeks to go til the beginnigfn of the new NHRA and NASCAR seasons I find myself waiting impatiently til speedweeks in Daytona. Or maybe not..........I don't know how I missed this but apparently last August NASCAR change dthe rules on how the drivers qualify for the Bud Shootout at the start fo Speedweeks in Daytona. It used to be that if you won a pole position during qaulifying for a race during the previous year you were autiomatically in the Bud Shootout. PLus a few past champions and previous Bud shootout winners to round out the field. Now in NASCAR's infinate wisdom they decided to have the top 6 cars of each manufacturer in the race. Meaning that the top 6 Chevys, Fords, Toyotas, and Dodges would be in for a 24 car field. Which means a few drivers who won poles last year will not make the event such as Patrick Carpatentier and Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, to name a few. And rookies who have never raced a full season in NASCAR or even won a poel such as Joe Logana are indue to the fact taht they are in a car by an owner who has a top manufacturer car. Now 2 of Waltrip cars are in and they had not very good seasons last year but are still the top Toyotas, I mean you could be the top6 cars in Toyota and finish 31-37 in points last yeaqr but make the race cause you were the top 6 Toyotas.
Does this seem fair?
I was reading some NASCAR forums last nite and some fabs are steamed at NASCAR. Can't say that I blame them afterall the fans made NASCAR and old drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough gave the fan somethign to cheer for. A real life hero. Guys who made their way in racing from dimes and nickels to millions the old fashion way thru paying their dues. Now rookie drivers land on teams and instantly have success thru rich team owners and find themselves in allstar races wihtout even racing a handful of races in the premier division of NASCAR.
Oh well enough rambling about this......Dale Earnhardt Sr would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what has happened to his beloved NASCAR. And don't even get me started on the Race for the Chase...Me and Dale Sr would be bicthing for a years about this one as well as old time race fans like me. I liek racing the way it was 10 years ago, none of these made for TV rules and sponsoership ratings stuff. Just go out and race. Atthe end of 30+ races teh one wiht the most points is champion.

Here is a link to some stories on this from nascar.com
Nascar.com

Happy New Year

Well Happy New Year race fans. Hope all is well. I see Gillete Evernham Motorsports is merging with Petty Enterprises. That may be cool. Anyway just a couple months away from the Daytona 500 and the start of a new NHRA season.

Can't wait