|
 Back to SOZ's Main Page &
VOTE for the best driver MUG SHOT!
Bud Shootout and ARCA 200 Making the Grade
2/12/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Every week we will break down the race results in the most unique way ever devised! Join us on Tuesday after each Sprint Cup and ARCA RE/MAX race when the red pen comes out and the final grades are given.
Daytona! Just the name brings back instant memories of great race events. No one will ever forget the 1976 or 1979 races. Ten years ago Dale Earnhardt finally saw everything go right for him and he won in the Great American Race. This week the new car design made its super speedway debut and maybe the end result couldn't have been better! Get out the red pen and grade book and get ready for this week's "Making the Grade."
Bud Shootout at Daytona
Race Grade A+
If there was a higher grade than "A+" this race would have won it! Not since the days of the old Busch Clash have I witnessed a race at Daytona with the excitement of this year's Budweiser Shootout. We were treated to great racing and a finish that was almost too good to be true with Dale Earnhardt Jr winning in his first race at Hendrick Motorsports.
F for JJ Yeley
When the caution came out with seven laps to go JJ Yeley didn't seem to get the message from his spotter and plowed into Ryan Newman. Even before this wreck it didn't appear that Hall of Fame Racing's entry was that strong. It could be a long season for this team.
D for Jamie McMurray
After his win at Daytona last July McMurray was expecting great success in the Budweiser Shootout. His night would end early when he got up into the wall just a few laps after the ten-minute break.
C for Kenny Schrader
Just how good of a driver is Kenny Schrader? His Qtrax.com Dodge was clearly overmatched but Schrader kept the car handling well in the draft and finished on the lead lap. Kenny will need some luck on Thursday in the Gatorade Duels to race on Sunday.
B for Tony Stewart
Battling the Armada of Chevys with the Hendrick brand, Tony Stewart proved to himself and the fans that Gibbs Racing's Toyotas came to Daytona ready to win! My money is on Stewart being even more competitive in the longer race on Sunday when tire wear comes into play. A strong start to the season might have Tony signing up long term with Toyota.
A for Dale Earnhardt Jr
Not only did Junior win the race in dominating fashion leading forty-seven laps, he did so in style! The post race interviews in Victory Lane and the media center showed just how happy Dale Earnhardt Jr is with his new team. Anyone who doubted Junior's ability had some crow to eat on Saturday night!
ARCA 200 at Daytona
Race Grade: B+
It was very clear that not all restrictor plate cars are built the same. With the end of the era for that car design in NASCAR's Cup level, so many ARCA teams had cars that competed in last year's Daytona 500! ARCA would be smart to figure out a way to even the playing field between the ARCA regulars and the driver development guys.
F for Kyle Krisiloff
Is there a super speedway driver with more carnage on his resume in the last few years than Krisiloff? This young man has talent when he is on the track all by himself but put him in a group of forty-three cars and the "Big One" seems inevitable. Money is the only thing that keeps giving him another chance.
D for Scott Speed's Bad Luck
Last year at Talladega Scott Speed showed questionable judgment in his first restrictor plate race. But last weekend at Daytona Speed showed that this will be another strong year for Eddie Sharp Racing and that No. 2 car! He gets extra credit for his sense of humor after the big crash when he was seen hitch hiking back to the pits.
Small Budget ARCA Hero-Darrell Basham
After each ARCA race we will salute one Small Budget ARCA Hero for his or her strong performance! Even when your car is not as strong at Daytona you can use the draft to keep up with the pack. A tip of the cap goes to Darrell Basham for his strong performance in the ARCA 200 at Daytona finishing 14th just one lap down to the winner.
B for Michael Annett
The best car won the ARCA 200 and Michael Annett deserves lots of credit for keeping his car out of trouble all weekend! This is Annett's second win at a restrictor plate track in equipment supplied by Bill Davis Racing. Keep an eye on this young man as he continues to develop his skills on super speedways.
A for Justin Allgaier
Hooray for the family owned team that can still get it done at the ARCA RE/MAX Series level! Could you imagine if some smart NASCAR team put some driver development program money behind this talented youngster? In the meantime Justin Allgaier will just go out and show everyone he is one of the most talented drivers in a stockcar!
Extra Credit for Bobby Gerhart
It was great to see one of the most talented drivers in the history of the ARCA RE/MAX Series back in the driver seat where he belongs! Gerhart racing up front at Daytona is no surprise and this might be the year he wins the championship.
|
  RaceTalkRadio.com's
Official Newsletter
  Want to listen to RTR
Shows? Click the listen live button!
 The New ARCA Thunder
presented by
Rockingham Speedway
Tuesday's at 8pm on RTR
    |
NASCAR® is a registered trademark owned by National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.
The Spin Out Zone is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NASCAR® or ARCA®.
The Spin Out Zone is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by CBS Sports, ABC/ESPN, Fox Sports, SPEED, FX Networks, TNT,
MRN, PRN or Sirius.
The Spin Out Zone owned and operated by RaceTalkRadio.com in association with Spin Out Zone Enterprises.
Images on SpinOutZone.com are used for entertainment purposes only.
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 © Spin Out Zone
All Rights Reserved