“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. Mainly a whole nation can be captivated by a bit one thing we prefer to name “the Daytona 500 {of professional} soccer.”
And sure, that’ll even be a part of a bit chatter down under as we undergo the gears earlier than re-entering the idle mode for a brief relaxation …
QNA WITH SVG
First Gear: Just a little elbow room can be good at NASCAR Conflict
Effectively, what did you suppose?
When Chase Elliott wins, most folk are completely happy. When he wins by rooting Denny Hamlin out of the lead, many others are completely happy.
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 are feeling a nevertheless coming, don’t you? Effectively, you bought it.
Nevertheless, it positive looks like there’s an apparent purpose NASCAR way back give up racing on quarter-mile tracks with large inventory vehicles. Contact is unavoidable and nobody is in opposition to occasional contact, however it 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 possibly half-mile North Wilkesboro if 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 concerning the the place of future Clashes (it’ll certainly 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 midst of the next week — this yr’s Daytona Speedweek is Feb. 12-16.
Barring different maneuvers, including an 18th sport to the schedule would presumably transfer the Tremendous Bowl again every 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 positive looks as if 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 every little thing again every 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. Ultimately, we’re most likely headed there once more, as a result of when the NFL stretches its legs, the entire world makes room.
Third Gear: Daytona 500 entry listing at 36 locks (37, truly) and 9 hopefuls (8, truly)
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 meaning … let’s see, 45 minus 36 … yep, there you go, 9 groups need to make the sector by way of considered one of 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, achieve entry onto the Daytona 500 beginning grid. The opposite seven should earn spots within the subsequent day’s 150-mile qualifying races.
4 can be in a single qualifier, three within the different. The best finisher in every makes the sector.
Right here’s your model new “nevertheless,” nevertheless. Helio Castroneves, as a result 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 any case 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 driving force of the No. 01 above? You could be seeing extra of him within the years to return. Or not, if you happen to do not subscribe.
Corey LaJoie is a type of fashionable 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 just lately introduced a part-time racing plan for 2025 which is able to embrace 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’ve gotten properly 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.
