It is early in the season, and I am by no means suggesting here that the trends we’ve seen so far will hold up. By the same token, the break has afforded an opportunity to size what is going on in the world of NASCAR and take measure of where things are at.
Here are some observations:
PLEASANT SURPRISES
Matt Kenseth…compare this year to last and things are much better with two wins under his belts already. For this low key, fly under the radar driver, he’s operating from a position of strength even if he’s been snake bit the last two starts.
Jeff Gordon…I still remember the Christmas card video at his website. The 4-time champ said his team was making changes, and whatever they were, they worked. More than anything, I think Gordon has recaptured the spark, the “Eye of The Tiger.”
Tony Stewart…I’m not sure I can say I’m REAL surprised. Smokes isn’t conducting himself like this is his first rodeo. I’m quite sure more emphasis where he’s concerned is on Stewart the driver as opposed to Stewart the owner, but that’s what hiring good people is for.
These aren’t the only veterans whose stars are shining brightly. It’s good to see the David Reutimann becoming relevant…it’s good to see Bobby Labonte being relevant again…Kurt Busch. DUDE, what a run he’s having….Brian Vickers isn’t exactly an old geezer, but it’s good to see him starting to fulfill his potential.
Kasey Kahne…”Kahnester” is quietly working his way up week by week, offering a ray of hope at RPM.
This may surprise you, but to me, the crowds are BETTER than I expected. Now I DIDN’T say the crowds were GOOD, they just haven’t been nearly as bad as I expected. Daytona delivered the sell-out you’d expect. For me, anything above 50,000 at California was a bonus….Vegas was o.k….Atlanta? Well, the racing hasn’t been good there for a while, so why would I shell out money for it?
On that note, a side thought:It’s the product, baby! The racing’s the product. If the product is good, the tickets will sell. If your track doesn’t have a rep for good racing, well you’d better be offerin’ seats on the cheap and put on a good show./p pHopefully, the next few dates can help that.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
Hey, didn’t you used to be Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Now, Junior Nation, before you rake me over the coals, I like the guy. I really do. But his start in ‘09 is a huge letdown after his promising start in ‘08. The good news, there’s plenty of time.
Mark Martin…I don’t think this is what the old man had in mind when he signed on for a full schedule. The shame of it is, this isn’t his fault.
Watching the little guys fizzle…I’ll admit the fan in me is really pulling for guys like Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs. I really hope these drivers and others like them can get into the show. It brings back a little of the old school racing when a lot of “teams” were a guy and his car.
A season of discontentment…you visit enough places around the web and chat with enough fellow fans and it’s obvious there’s a great degree of unrest out there. Those that have been around the sport awhile have generally been unhappy with the quality of the races.
On the bright side, they’re hanging around and making their voices heard. For whatever reason, call it loyalty, call it not knowing where else to go,nbsp; they’re hanging in there. For now.
For all the above mentioned people….there’s good news. The range of pleasant surprises and unfortunate disappointments tells us that ANYTHING can happen and it often does.
Stay tuned. It’s kind of like the old saying from the Bible…”Don’t worry about tomorrow, for today has enough troubles of its own.”
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I think it’s about time NASCAR puts an end to the start and park guys so the “little Guys” like Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs can get in the race and Actually RACE!!!!!
You want to know why we’re still hanging around? Access baby! You give me a complete season of USAC non-wing Sprints, & Midgets,& I’m gone. Instead we get a threadbare patchwork. A delayed Chili Bowl, no Belleville Nationals, no night before the 500,no Little 500, no Hut 100, no Hoosier 100, no Thunder series. Some WoO, shows, mostly delayed. Well you get the picture.
Amen, Janine. I’m afraid they won’t – but they should…
I don’t know how you can write a column about “pleasent surprises” without mentioning AJ Allmendinger.
Dinger had no contract signed one month before Daytona. He signed with RPM; which locked him into the fields. Then a week later, points shuffling put Dinger out of the top 35…again.
Well, Dinger has easily qualified for every race, is sitting a very nice 20th in the points, and is poised to have a full-time ride at RPM, possibly by the end of the season at the fate of Reed Sorensen.
So please tell me how you can have “pleasent surprises” without AJ Allmendinger.
:)
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