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Friday Photo gallery from Daytona

On Saturday, we’ll get to see what we’ve waited a few months to see…the whole wad of Nationwide Series drivers that earned the honor, will finally be let loose on the track at Daytona International Speedway for the first race of the season.

Since the race is at Daytona, along with our usual Sprint Cup fellows that like to crash the party, we’ve got a few extra included in the lineup.  So who is going to be under the microscope during this one? It goes without saying that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will be driving around the track with about a million eyes following his every single yank on the steering wheel. He says he operates well under pressure, that it drives a person to find their best and play it out. Good thing he likes it, because the whole world of stock car racing, whether they like him or not, are trying their best to overload the guy with the stuff.   

Included in the lineup for the Camping World 300 are a handful of fellows that got popped for illegal car issues during their post qualifying inspections.  The No.77-Cale Gale, No.1-Johnny Sauter, No.14-David Gilliland, No.64-David Stremme and the No.0-Kertus Davis were all found to have illegal modifications to their cars following qualifying. So what happens to these guys? Their qualifying times were all wiped out, and to the back they’ll go, to start from there. All except Kertus Davis, who without enough owners points to regain entry, had to head on home.  Man that’s got to be really annoying…you make it in to the race and then poof, somebody did something stupid to your ride and you have to go home. I’ll bet somebody’s going to spend more than a little time writing “I’ll never do that again” over and over as he sits in the corner of the owner’s office.

 

At the top of the grid, we’ve got that fellow that can be unpredictable in an interview, but we always know when Tony Stewart is behind the wheel, he’s going to go as fast as he can and drive as hard as he can, taking no prisoners along the way.  He’s got the pole and will lead the drivers to the first green flag of the season for these NASCAR Nationwide Series fellows.

 

Starting in the 21st spot is Michael McDowell in the No.00 Toyota.  Don’t overlook this fellow…keep an eye on him through the season, I think he’s going to demand a little attention of his own.

 

The last time I checked, there is more than a dozen Cup Series fellows included in this race. That’s a lot of top racers invading the series, and it’s going to make it more than fun. 

 

So let’s grab our popcorn, our chilled and frothy beverages and snag a seat, whether it’s in front of the TV or in front of pit road, this race is going to be worth watching.  Who will take the first trophy home for the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series? Everyone thinks their driver will be the one…but there you go, it will be just that….only one.