“Hurry up and wait” is not only for the DMV or physician’s workplace.
That is still the early-season — for now, and sure, we’ll clarify in a bit.
NASCAR fired out of the blocks with two nights of motion at Bowman Grey, and now jams the clutch and holds its horses for 10 days earlier than gearing up once more
The approaching weekend gained’t be a whole downer, you would possibly’ve heard. Principally a whole nation shall be captivated by just a little one thing we prefer to name “the Daytona 500 {of professional} soccer.”
And sure, that’ll even be a part of just a little chatter down beneath as we undergo the gears earlier than re-entering the idle mode for a brief relaxation …
QNA WITH SVG
First Gear: A bit of elbow room could be good at NASCAR Conflict
Effectively, what did you assume?
When Chase Elliott wins, most folk are joyful. When he wins by rooting Denny Hamlin out of the lead, many others are joyful.
So, there’s that. And that.
The small-venue/big-crowd vibe was nice. And Winston-Salem is tucked inside part of the nation that’s lengthy been hard-NASCAR nation and subsequently deserved the weekend highlight.
And proper about right here, you’re feeling a nonetheless coming, don’t you? Effectively, you bought it.
Nonetheless, it certain appears like there’s an apparent purpose NASCAR way back give up racing on quarter-mile tracks with huge inventory vehicles. Contact is unavoidable and nobody is in opposition to occasional contact, but it surely all feels extra like a gentle lean in opposition to one another than a punt-and-run or door-slap.
For my cash, now that Rockingham is again in play for Xfinity and Vehicles this yr, let’s give the one-mile Rock an actual search for subsequent yr. Or perhaps half-mile North Wilkesboro whenever you resolve to take its All-Star Race elsewhere. However actually a half-miler at minimal.
Others will certainly disagree.
Second Gear: Daytona 500 will dance to the Tremendous Bowl tune
We are able to relaxation assured in regards to the the place of future Clashes (it’ll absolutely bounce round). However the when?
That’ll rely upon the timing of the NFL’s transfer to an 18-game season. The present 17-game slate leads right into a playoff schedule ending with the Tremendous Bowl on the Sunday earlier than NASCAR involves Daytona in the course of the next week — this yr’s Daytona Speedweek is Feb. 12-16.
Barring different maneuvers, including an 18th recreation to the schedule would presumably transfer the Tremendous Bowl again per week, to the Daytona 500’s long-favored slot — the Sunday earlier than the third Monday of February, which is Presidents Day weekend.
With many people off work on Presidents Day, that certain looks like an ideal match for Tremendous Bowl Sunday, contemplating what number of yawners you see on the subsequent day’s water cooler. NASCAR would possible simply transfer all the things again per week, and there’s precedent for that.
From 2012-17, the five hundred was scheduled for the Sunday earlier than the fourth Monday of February. Finally, we’re in all probability headed there once more, as a result of when the NFL stretches its legs, the entire world makes room.
Third Gear: Daytona 500 entry record at 36 locks (37, really) and 9 hopefuls (8, really)
Barring a late, late, last-minute announcement, we’re 45 entries for the 67th Daytona 500.
Let’s do some math. Thirty-six chartered groups are assured beginning spots, so which means … let’s see, 45 minus 36 … yep, there you go, 9 groups must make the sector via one in all two types of qualifying.
Of the 9 non-guaranteed vehicles, the 2 quickest in subsequent Wednesday’s pole qualifying (Feb. 12), which solely units the entrance row, acquire entry onto the Daytona 500 beginning grid. The opposite seven must earn spots within the subsequent day’s 150-mile qualifying races.
4 shall be in a single qualifier, three within the different. The best finisher in every makes the sector.
Right here’s your model new “nonetheless,” nonetheless. Helio Castroneves, because of a brand new rule permitting for star-power race entries, is assured a Daytona begin, so even when he doesn’t make one of many above cuts, he’s in because the forty first starter.
So, in spite of everything that, listed here are your 9 hopefuls … sure, together with Helio, who’s in regardless (so as of automotive quantity):
● 01: Corey Lajoie, Ford, Rick Ware Racing
● 40: Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, JR Motorsports
● 44: JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, NY Racing
● 56: Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, Tricon Storage
● 62: Anthony Aldredo, Chevrolet, Beard Motorsports
● 66: Chandler Smith, Ford, MBM Motorsports
● 78: BJ McLeod, Ford, Dwell Quick Motorsports
● 84: Jimmie Johnson, Toyota, Legacy Motor Membership
● 91: Helio Castroneves, Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing
Fourth Gear: Corey LaJoie is your latest Amazon supply
You see the motive force of the No. 01 above? You is likely to be seeing extra of him within the years to come back. Or not, in the event you do not subscribe.
Corey LaJoie is a type of trendy racers with a real persona, and he makes essentially the most of it. Sadly, it hasn’t been parlayed into sufficient Cup-level sponsorship to speed up his racing profession.
However Corey not too long ago introduced a part-time racing plan for 2025 which is able to embody a barely-off-track gig as a broadcaster for Amazon’s 5 midseason races.
By the best way, Amazon’s 5 weeks of NASCAR protection begins with the Coke 600 in late Could. You will have effectively over three months to both subscribe or put together for Uncle Ed’s outburst when he realizes he’s caught with baseball for over a month of Sundays.
