This and That on Daytona

By Keith Ott

Just my general rundown…

- Not that there aren’t a whole bunch of things I don’t like about the Cup car, but for the races at Daytona, the Cup car has proven to be a winner. I’m not sure how it’ll run at mid-size tracks, or short tracks, but it’s the same car for all of them and they have all had a good look at it now. I still hate the JC Whitney black spoiler. And, no, there is no aerodynamic reason the spoilers can’t have color. F1 cars can have color. It doesn’t seem to hurt them.

- Didn’t take me long at all to forget about the #8 car. It’s not my favorite number, but 88 works as well as any. And, Jr. seems to be making it work.

- Toyota drivers seem to want to work only with other Toyota drivers. Last year they’d work with anyone not worried about them blowing up or crashing. I think it’s a great attitude…Ford, Chevy etc. have been doing that forever. Maybe, it’ll force more unity among the other marquees.

- I am so over this name change thing and how they announce things…Earnhardt does not have 7 Sprint Championships, nor does Petty.  You can’t define careers with a name that changes with a bunch of dollars and a pen stroke.    NASCAR needs to dump the identity sale.  You want to be a sport or a phone company subsidiary?

- I’m not even throwing the Nationwhacker flag.  NASCAR has decided this is the way it needs to be.  Actually, a bunch of drivers from Cup (NOT SPRINT) are sharing rides and this is the way it should be.  The big boys will always go to the big purses, but at least they’re sharing.  Except for those few that think a Nationwide crown would add to their resumes.

- So, what are you doing for Daytona?  Me, it looks like Buffalo Wings and beverages.  That worked out well for the Super Bowl.  But, all my buds shipped out for a short cruise, so if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by.  If I don’t have extra I can make more.

Let’s enjoy fast, safe, entertaining racing tomorrow.  I’m putting the emphasis on safe…for the drivers and you wild fans.

Who’s your pick?