msrpk.com blog

"Daytona Duels and other short takes"

Greetings from the "World Center of Racing", where the best seats in the house--along the start finish line--are on sale. Daytona boss Robin Braig told me that the best value seats ($55) are almost sold out...and that he feels confident that the 51st running of the Daytona 500 will end up being a sell out.

Chris Browning of Darlington Raceway tells me that plans proceed for the May race at the track too tough to tame and the "all you can eat grandstand" will make its return. Remember, you read it here first.

Jeff Gordon (a multiple Daytona 500 winner if you remember) won the first Daytona Duel...the two drivers who had to race their way in were past series champion Tony Stewart (who is now a team owner) and Scott Riggs (whose team basically began operations 23 days ago). Polesitter Martin Truex led most of the laps until a tire problem relegated him to the back of the pack. No damage so the pole winning car will start up front as per NASCAR rule.

Kyle Busch won the second duel...the two drivers who had to race their way into the 500 were A. J. Allmendinger and Jeremy Mayfield. Ryan Newman had issues during his duel, so the defending winner of the 500 will have to start near the back. Both Allmendinger and Mayfield had interesting off seasons...their persistence proves that there is a silver lining in every cloud.

We'll kinda lay low until Sunday...when our work begins in earnest.