Daytona Int’l Speedway - Budweiser Shootout
Danni
RESULTS
1. Dale Jr.
6. Casey
11. Michael
13. DJ
18. Kurt
21. Martin
The first race of the year is always highly anticipated, especially since it's the all-out go-for-the-win non-points Bud Shootout. Just practice incidents the night before were cause to promise a wild race. But this one had us even more excited than usual. Dale Jr. and Casey had things to prove in their new rides. Michael and DJ were ready for redemption after a miserable 2006 season.
To make things better, Michael got to start on the pole since Kurt dropped to the rear of the field in his backup car. Hoping for some good listening, we tuned it onto Michael's radio over PitCommand. When the green dropped, everything looked good – Michael led, Dale Jr. shot to the front and they ran side-by-side for a couple laps! Then, all of a sudden, Michael couldn't hold the car. He dipped too low on the high side and was funneled down the middle so rapidly I was just waiting for him to crash. From about that moment on, Michael really did nothing but complain. Not pleasant to hear.
The racing in general was excellent. There was a lot of worry that the new cars would run so poorly that it would simply be a parade from start to finish. However, they could drive two-wide easily and even three-wide without too much danger. The first 20-lap segment had only one caution for the blown tire and single car accident of Bill Elliott. At its end, Junior still led with the impressive Dave Blaney in second. All cars went to pit road for adjustments and rest.
As expected, the final segment saw more action. A few laps in, Jamie McMurray turned his 26 Ford across the nose of Denny Hamlin's 11 Toyota, bringing out the yellow and ending McMurray's night. After the restart, Blaney towed the field once more before returning the helm to Junior. Although other drivers could pass the 88, no one could stay in front of him for long.
The big crash of the race occurred on Lap 48 when David Gilliland blew a tire in the middle of the pack. Several cars were collected, including Martin, who unfortunately had not been much of a contender anyway.
Now the Hendrick power really showed. All four cars were at the front and it was nice to see Casey showing his stuff. With only a few laps to go, Kurt had a tire go down in Turn 3. His car went off the banking, back on the banking and all the way to the exit of Turn 4 before it actually spun out. Needless to say, everyone was quite amazed. With the old car, it would surely have been a massive crash. However, the FOX panel brought up a good point – the side plates on the wing. They create more stability during spin-outs and allow time for drivers to save the car. Now, Kurt is famous for his car control, but I don't think this is the last time we'll see someone save a previously unsalvageable wreck.
The three lap sprint to the end was pretty wild. Tony Stewart led the restart and appeared unbeatable until Jimmie Johnson gave Dale Jr. a huge push down the backstretch on the last lap. His first race in a new ride and Junior sat in Victory Lane, a place he hadn't seen since the spring of 2006! He dominated the race with a record 47 laps led.
I think I was relieved more than excited! I'd feared that Junior would struggle with the Hendrick cars since I've heard they drive very different than other teams. But I was very pleased with the teamwork I saw between him and Jimmie, Jeff and Casey. The burnout was awesome, as usual!
In his post-race interview, I realized how not himself he's been for the past year or so. He looked giddy! He sounded so different and acted like it was his first win. Some people think Junior is spoiled and selfish, and I agree that some of the things he's said and done at DEI infuriated me. But, much like Kurt, I truly believe a team's bad leadership creates monsters and once a driver feels secure with his team owner, a change in personality follows. Rick Hendrick has done that for Junior, just as Roger Penske has for Kurt.
As much as I was happy for Junior and Casey, I was pretty disappointed with Michael and Dale's finishes. Their cars just did not handle. Michael was downright rude to his new crew chief, Paul Andrews, and made some degrading comments about the team during a poor pit stop.
To Paul's credit, he did not take crap from Michael, yet he remained calm even though I heard an edge to his voice several times. I understand that Michael was probably frustrated and maybe a little panicky, but man…he did not make friends with his crew. That includes his spotter Mark Green, whom he laid a lengthy, barely coherent tirade upon following the checkered flag. 
It certainly did not encourage me any and reminded me so much of last year. I am hoping things get better, or the Daytona 500 may be missing the MWR cars.
1. Dale Jr.
6. Casey
11. Michael
13. DJ
18. Kurt
21. Martin
The first race of the year is always highly anticipated, especially since it's the all-out go-for-the-win non-points Bud Shootout. Just practice incidents the night before were cause to promise a wild race. But this one had us even more excited than usual. Dale Jr. and Casey had things to prove in their new rides. Michael and DJ were ready for redemption after a miserable 2006 season.
To make things better, Michael got to start on the pole since Kurt dropped to the rear of the field in his backup car. Hoping for some good listening, we tuned it onto Michael's radio over PitCommand. When the green dropped, everything looked good – Michael led, Dale Jr. shot to the front and they ran side-by-side for a couple laps! Then, all of a sudden, Michael couldn't hold the car. He dipped too low on the high side and was funneled down the middle so rapidly I was just waiting for him to crash. From about that moment on, Michael really did nothing but complain. Not pleasant to hear.
The racing in general was excellent. There was a lot of worry that the new cars would run so poorly that it would simply be a parade from start to finish. However, they could drive two-wide easily and even three-wide without too much danger. The first 20-lap segment had only one caution for the blown tire and single car accident of Bill Elliott. At its end, Junior still led with the impressive Dave Blaney in second. All cars went to pit road for adjustments and rest.
As expected, the final segment saw more action. A few laps in, Jamie McMurray turned his 26 Ford across the nose of Denny Hamlin's 11 Toyota, bringing out the yellow and ending McMurray's night. After the restart, Blaney towed the field once more before returning the helm to Junior. Although other drivers could pass the 88, no one could stay in front of him for long.
The big crash of the race occurred on Lap 48 when David Gilliland blew a tire in the middle of the pack. Several cars were collected, including Martin, who unfortunately had not been much of a contender anyway.
Now the Hendrick power really showed. All four cars were at the front and it was nice to see Casey showing his stuff. With only a few laps to go, Kurt had a tire go down in Turn 3. His car went off the banking, back on the banking and all the way to the exit of Turn 4 before it actually spun out. Needless to say, everyone was quite amazed. With the old car, it would surely have been a massive crash. However, the FOX panel brought up a good point – the side plates on the wing. They create more stability during spin-outs and allow time for drivers to save the car. Now, Kurt is famous for his car control, but I don't think this is the last time we'll see someone save a previously unsalvageable wreck.
The three lap sprint to the end was pretty wild. Tony Stewart led the restart and appeared unbeatable until Jimmie Johnson gave Dale Jr. a huge push down the backstretch on the last lap. His first race in a new ride and Junior sat in Victory Lane, a place he hadn't seen since the spring of 2006! He dominated the race with a record 47 laps led.
I think I was relieved more than excited! I'd feared that Junior would struggle with the Hendrick cars since I've heard they drive very different than other teams. But I was very pleased with the teamwork I saw between him and Jimmie, Jeff and Casey. The burnout was awesome, as usual!
In his post-race interview, I realized how not himself he's been for the past year or so. He looked giddy! He sounded so different and acted like it was his first win. Some people think Junior is spoiled and selfish, and I agree that some of the things he's said and done at DEI infuriated me. But, much like Kurt, I truly believe a team's bad leadership creates monsters and once a driver feels secure with his team owner, a change in personality follows. Rick Hendrick has done that for Junior, just as Roger Penske has for Kurt.
As much as I was happy for Junior and Casey, I was pretty disappointed with Michael and Dale's finishes. Their cars just did not handle. Michael was downright rude to his new crew chief, Paul Andrews, and made some degrading comments about the team during a poor pit stop.
To Paul's credit, he did not take crap from Michael, yet he remained calm even though I heard an edge to his voice several times. I understand that Michael was probably frustrated and maybe a little panicky, but man…he did not make friends with his crew. That includes his spotter Mark Green, whom he laid a lengthy, barely coherent tirade upon following the checkered flag. It certainly did not encourage me any and reminded me so much of last year. I am hoping things get better, or the Daytona 500 may be missing the MWR cars.
