Already Crashing

Crashing is not all racing. 8 Crashes in 75 laps. How long is it going to take to run 500 laps at that rate? It sure looks likes NASCAR didn't do a very good job with this so-called car of the future.

It will be a very long duals and 500. I plan on taking a nap before it.

Well, they did take some pretty good smacks on some of the cars and they were able to keep on running. There was definitely a difference in the Shootout cars and the 500 cars. You could see that during practice today.

There is a big difference in how the drivers were tonight and how they will be at the 500. Tonight was just a fun race were they could go out and do everything they could to win because thats all that mattered but when it comes to the 500 there is a lot more at stake than just a win. Thats the reason for so many wrecks tonight but at the 500 they will be alot more conservative.

Perhaps NASCORP should invoke a "No Texting Other Drivers" Rule... By the time drivers hit the "Send" button, it's too late!

Spotters will have their hands full in February!

Greg Dutcher wrote:

Crashing is not all racing. 8 Crashes in 75 laps. How long is it going to take to run 500 laps at that rate? It sure looks likes NASCAR didn't do a very good job with this so-called car of the future.

Its not the COT, IMO its the crack pot idea of NOT having testing. For most of these guys, it was the first time getting into a car since November.

I can see the pros and cons to the no testing rule. It puts everyone on an even keel as far as the smaller teams that cant afford to all the testing as opposed to the "mega teams" that do noting BUT test. IMO, it will be very interesting to see how Johnson finishes this year w/o going to the millions of tests, like he has done in prior years....

I do not believe that the Shootout will represent how the rest of the cup racing at Daytona will be run. The Shootout has always been a made for TV, non points, bring a throw away car race. There will be some crashes most likely near the middle point of the qualifiers as some of the go or go home cars get desperate, however, The 500 will be run more careful as, no matter what the drivers say, points will come into play and being in the top 35 at the end of the first five races will be very important. The Shootout did prove one thing and I see it will be done, the condition of the track surface at Daytona is not very good and needs the announced repaving. Perhaps this time they will use the lasers and make it Dega smooth.