Regardless of whether or not you're a NASCAR fan, there's no denying that the motorsport is starting off its 2008 season in the best possible way. Early festivities for the season opener Daytona 500 began this past weekend and resulted in Jimmie Johnson, last season's champion, taking the pole position. Next to him on the grid will be a somewhat redeemed Michael Waltrip, who was embroiled in a scandal at last year's Daytona 500 that resulted in the largest ever fine handed down from NASCAR at the time.
That would probably be enough for a great kick off to the season, but the newly minted NASCAR Sprint Cup is swimming in merchandise sales after Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Bud Shootout on Saturday in his first race as a member of Hendrick Motorsports. Driving his new No. 88 Chevy, Earnhardt Jr. came out swinging in this exhibition that nets no points for the winner, but is a good omen for winning the 500 next weekend.
[Source: ESPN, Photo by John Harrelson/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VP @ Feb 11th 2008 7:59AM
I was actually surprised by how well the COT peformed saturday night. It wasn't the borefest that Talladega was last fall. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. The 48 car on the pole is just icing on the cake.
cowboy bob @ Feb 11th 2008 8:25AM
Well VP, some of us root for the underdog, and I want to see kyle bush show everybody the sweet revenge of knocking off the people who "dumped" him in favor of jr. What a satisfaction it would be to have him pull out front of everybody in the last lap of Daytona. You'll know who I'm rooting for!
Travis Rassat @ Feb 11th 2008 8:33AM
I was pleasantly surprised by the new car, too. There were a couple of moments where the drivers made some pretty spectacular saves after having the cars really sideways.
geo.stewart @ Feb 11th 2008 8:44AM
if you follow nascar, you would know that nobody 'dumped' Kyle. Kyle's agent let Hendrick know that they were going to shop around before signing anything so Hendrick decided to do the same. As it happened, Dale Jr was interested. To be fair, Kyle fired his agent but the damage was done. Hopefully Kyle will grow out of his current state of being a detriment in the garage almost as much as he is an asset on the track.
MJK @ Feb 11th 2008 8:38AM
How many more days until the start of f1?
Travis Rassat @ Feb 11th 2008 8:54AM
Only 31 more days until the Australian Grand Prix...
I can't wait - I think this will be an exciting year in F1.
Mr. Oak @ Feb 11th 2008 8:53AM
Yup, can't wait. Hope the Renault is no better than mid-pack.
Can Heike challenge LH, like LH challenged and whipped FA?
Is Filippe going to race hard against Kimi.
What if FA's new teammate also beats the pants off him?
duders @ Feb 11th 2008 9:30AM
wrc's started. I thought it would be a cake walk for Loeb but if he continues to crash into every object in his path then we might have a real competition between everyone else :P
cowboy bob @ Feb 11th 2008 9:40AM
Agents sometimes make statements without understanding fully the portent of them to other people. Furthermore, your statement, that "if you follow Nascar, you would know..." is condesending at best. You seem to present as facts alleged statements made by people I doubt you have ever had a personal converstation with. What makes you think you "know" anything? Rumors and media critiqes do not FACTS make. I made the my statement based on a personal conversation with one who is on a nationally known crew in Nascar. All parties involved in this shuffel were intent on presenting the best face on a difficult situation to the public. I will be in Daytona this week, will you?
Mr. Oak @ Feb 11th 2008 9:04AM
I'll track Jeff Gordon, JPM and Jr. Not interested in NASCAR otherwise. Wish they would go back to PRODUCTION based cars.
Joe Gibbs Racing switched from Chevrolet to Toyota, all he had to do, was cut the Chevy nose off the car and replace with the Toyota snoz, and replace the Chevy engine. This is such a farce.
Thank god for ALMS, Grand Am and F1 to a lesser extent.
Mr. Oak @ Feb 11th 2008 10:09AM
Hey Cowboy, enjoy the trip to Daytona. It is so much more than just the race. Never attended the 500. But was there for the Rolex 24 a few years back.
I also really want to catch a bike week.
nick @ Feb 11th 2008 10:32AM
F1 cars rock, the sport, not so much. You can't pass!!!
calebe @ Feb 11th 2008 10:54AM
Thanks, I had almost forgot about Nastycar. Quick, turn on some F1 or WRC , IMSA please.
Johnny @ Feb 11th 2008 3:52PM
Doesnt matter where u race, u just cant beat a chevy, if one's on ur tail ur going down, nothing to it!
Justin @ Feb 11th 2008 5:32PM
Nice pushrod v8's toyota.
Oh wait...
Philthy @ Feb 12th 2008 7:14AM
Stock cars haven't had a shred of "stock" to them for over 20 years now. I think it's time to get used to it...