Sneak Preview Saturday Night
If last night’s action is any indication of what’s in store for 2008, fans can look forward to a great 2008. This year’s edition of the Bud Shootout had all the things fans have been clamoring for.
A Junior Victory- Let’s face it, the vast majority of NASCAR fans love the driver of the #88 National Guard/ Amp Chevrolet. NASCAR’s favorite son didn’t disappoint by delivering the first victory he’s had of any kind since the spring of 2006.
Not to put more pressure on him, but I think NASCAR needs Dale Earnhardt Jr. He represents all the things that fans love about the sport with that down-home demeanor and legendary pedigree. Though he races for the New York Yankees of NASCAR, to many, he just comes across as a lot less corporate, a lot less processed than his Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. As I mentioned in posts on a couple of message boards, this has no real bearing on the season, but it sure sets the tone.
Side-to-side racing- Even in a 70 lap race, you would have thought there would have been some separation at the end. When the checkered flag lowered, cars were still side-by-side. Though Junior won, Any one of a number of drivers from Jimmie Johnson to Dave Blaney could have pulled it out.
I remember comments made recently by Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte that with the “new” (we really can’t call it the Car of Tomorrow anymore) car, we’d see the driver become more a part of the race and less so the car itself. They had it pegged.
Smoke fans need not worry- Given Toyota’s performance and Tony Stewart’s second place finish, fans of the “Big Orange” need not worry that the change in manufacturers will hamper Tony Stewart’s quest for a third Cup title. It still remains to be seen if Toyota can keep it up over 500 miles, but they sure had no problem last night.
Now if they can just solve the Hendrick dominance, they’ll be just fine.
Good race coverage- I’d forgotten how much I’d missed the work of Mike Joy, Larry Mac, DW, Hammond, and Dick Berggren. Unlike many fans, I can’t say I have a deep dislike for ESPN’s work, it’s just there’s something about the way FOX puts on the show that ABC/ ESPN doesn’t.
We’re racing again- Face it fans, we’re spoiled. NFL fans will have to wait until August until their pre-season gets underway. Baseball fans have been on vacation since late October and we’re still weeks away from the spring training getting it on in earnest. NASCAR’s schedule ended a week before Thanksgiving and we’re already at it again- AND WE’RE ACTING LIKE IT’S BEEN 6 MONTHS.
Still- it’s good to see racing again and not just talking about.
COMING TUESDAY: The first 2008 edition of ON TRACK- our special weekly preview of bump-drafts that previews the upcoming weekend’s race. This edition is complete with track facts, the history of the event, trivia, and current trends in our favorite motorsport.
