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That New Car Smell
2/11/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
No Earnhardt Nation this is not another article about Junior and Teresa, it is all about the new car design. When NASCAR unveiled the new Car of Tomorrow design I was repulsed. Adding a wing to the back made this so unlike any other NASCAR-type car I had ever seen I was irritated! This new car also took the common body template to the point of the absurd. But if the Budweiser Shootout last Saturday night is any indication give me more of that new car smell!
Second Chances
Over the years the NASCAR Cup cars became more and more aerodynamic. But coming with that sleeker style was a dangerous element. If the car got out of control in the least bit it was likely to behave in nasty ways! During the Budweiser Shootout we got our first chance to see these cars in action. Quite a few times we saw a driver lose control of his car. The rear wing allowed the good drivers to regain control and avoid disaster. Now as long as we don't hear the words "Aero Tight" when we go to California Speedway the new splitter and wing design will be a winner!
Not Since the Days Before the Plates
The sheer speed of racing at Daytona in the days before restrictor plates was a thing to behold. While we didn't get the freight train of forty-three cars in one huge pack that some fans seem to love, we did get great slingshot passing. Since the restrictor plate was added to keep the cars from reaching take off speed those passes have been missing. But last Saturday night it seemed as if the drivers had more throttle control input at Daytona than in recent years. Especially when the tires started going bad drivers had to let off the gas to make it through the corners. While you still need a dancing partner you need him a little less than in recent years. That was the most exciting Budweiser Shootout since the race was called the Busch Clash and was run unrestricted!
Maybe the Most Exciting Year Ever
The level of competition going into this season is tougher than ever before! Toyota has gained ground to the point that they might be the second best in the business next to the Chevy bowtie. Give Jack Roush and Doug Yates some time and they will get gain grounds with the Ford engines again. Since Penske and Ganassi are two very successful Dodge owners we can expect them to improve also. So instead of having fifteen teams capable of making the Chase for the Championship in years past, we have twenty-five teams that could be contenders this season. This might give us the most exciting year ever in NASCAR racing!
Sweet Smell of Success
Dale Earnhardt Jr looked happier in Victory Lane than he has been for years! Last season the tug and pull of emotions had to slow him down by taking away his concentration. No Hendrick haters he has not become a Hendrick robot. They are simply the New York Yankees of racing and he has gone along with their clean-cut image. (Unlike the Yankees the use of steroids is not mandatory!) It was great to see Junior having fun again by winning races! If this is the kind of racing we are going to be treated to this season I say give me more of that new car smell!
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