Have you looked at the Daytona 500 entry list? We’ve got Terry Labonte, Geoff Bodine, Kirk Shelmerdine, Bill Elliott and Mark Martin on there. ‘Til NASCAR sent him home with a car that couldn’t compete, 74-year old James Hylton, who was Cup racing a good decade before Jimmie Johnson was born was giving it a try.
Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1989…..
Elliott and Martin certainly proved this weekend that just because there’s snow on the chimney, doesn’t mean there ain’t no fire in the furnace. Martin held the pole throughout the afternoon, until Martin Truex Jr. bumped the 4-time Cup runner-up to the outside of the front row.
Mark Martin has been around long enough to know what he has with the opportunity
that car owner Rick Hendrick has given him. This is Martin’s last, best shot at earning the title he’s never won. “The Kid” has always acted like it didn’t matter, but you gotta know he’ love nothing more than to become a latter-day Harry Gant and then some.
It’s all about the passion, the fire in the belly. Mark Martin has it.
As for the winner of the 1988 Winston Cup, today’s qualification also has to be satisfying for he and the historic Wood Brothers team. “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” may have nothing left to prove, but but getting the #21 in the race, he’s done his part for historic preservation in the sport. The Wood family has proven today they can still assemble a rocket, and now they can set their sights on giving the fans a good race next Sunday.
Elliott will still only run a limited schedule, but that said, his run today accomplishes good things for himself, old school NASCAR fans, and a sport that can really use a feel good story right now.
Speaking of feel good stories, Tony Stewart fans have to love what his cars we’re doing out there today. Not only did Smoke put in a good day, “Rocket” Ryan Newman was solid.
I don’t know what it is about Travis Kvapil, but he’s another one of those underdogs for whom I hope good things happen. It’d be cool if he could score some free food for the kids at Golden Corral. If he makes the top 10 in the Great American race, every kid in America gets a free buffet, plus $5,000 will be donated to the Disabled American Veterans.
Go Travis, Go!
Tommy Baldwin’s car- piloted by Scott Riggs didn’t do half bad today. I sure hope the like
of Jeremy Mayfield, Terry Labonte, and some of the other teams that are attempting to qualify can find that speed they need to get in.
I’m not going to be Pollyanna and pretend there’s nothing wrong out there. At the same time, I see some developing story lines that could make the 2009 one of the best ever. I think one of the big reasons fans walk around with the “mullygrubs” during the off-season is because we haven’t had a season finish like the NFL had with last Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Do you think Mark Martin could become NASCAR’s Arizona Cardinals?
PHOTO CREDITS- Elliott by XSP Images, Martin by Chad48HMS. Newman & Bud Shoot Out photo by stewarthaasfan. These images and more may be found at flickr.com.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I hope that Mark Martin has a championship season. He’s a great guy (from all appearances) and he refuses to boot another driver to win the race. ESPN lists him as the most overrated driver because he won’t win by knocking other drivers out. ESPN is wrong!
Mark knows right and wrong, good from bad and there aren’t situational gray areas. His example is what we should all strive for in life.
Tony Stewart has never seemed to be happier.
I’m glad that Nascar is back!
Elliott said that they had to be conservative because they weren’t locked into the top 35. If they had that safety net then perhaps they tune that car well enough to grab the pole. Even still, leading both practices and a 5th place qualifying effort has to make the Wood Brothers feel great right now. Hopefully they have a car that can perform well enough in the race as it did in qualifying.