There’s been a lot of changes to NASCAR over the off season and now the boys of thunder are getting back onto the track for the first time in official racing. Today two practices were held for the Bud Shootout, a 75 lap race broken into two segments.
I have to admit that I loved turning this on and seeing the cars back on the track at Daytona. My favorite, Jeff Gordon, had his 24-car leading the pack for much of the opening portion. With Jeff, though, practices rarely mean much. His
goal is seldom to be in the lead. He wants to feel out the car and make sure that it handles the way he likes it. I’ve learned to ignore where he ultimately ends up, speed wise. Besides, at the restrictor plate races, it’s never how fast you are or where you start, it’s where you are on Turn 4 of the final lap.
There was a lot of excitement, though. Not only were the cars bouncing all over the place, but we had a wreck. Mark Martin and Denny ...