msrpk.com blog

"This is NOT Carl's Car"

Ever wonder what Carl Edwards' Aflac Ford Fusion would look like if designed by the Aflac Duck? I submit the preceding photo for your viewing pleasure.

You'll see this creation in some new Aflac TV ads.

I bet the ServiceMaster cleanup crew is happy that Aflac's duck is not on the property. It might take a few of the 700 bags of speedy dry in case the duck did what ducks normally do.

Now, for the serious business--Edwards says that he wants to stay near the front in both the Duels and the Daytona 500--not necessarily in the lead--but something like what Happy Harvick did to Jamie McMurray on Saturday night. On a green-white-checker restart, that strategy changes. Edwards wants to stay on the point, because the green portion of the lap might last just a few seconds before crashing begins and the final yellow is unfurled.

Those of you who migrated here since the Daly Planet suspended operations, might like to hear about the comments of ESPN Motorsports boss Rich Feinberg. I asked Feinberg about the tendency to use all of the special effects in the television truck, to the detriment of the storytelling by Dr. Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree. Feinberg says it's kind of hard to strike a balance. He admitted that a few times last year, the Worldwide Leader went too heavily on effects and not heavily enough on the story. Bottom line: They are still and continually trying to find a good balance--and you will see that process unfold when ESPN begins their Nationwide Series race coverage on Saturday.

Also, Jamie Little told me that she WILL be back in Long Beach to defend her title in the Pro Celebrity Race at the Toyota Long Beach of Grand Prix Weekend on April 18. Jamie patrols the pits for ESPN coverage, and will miss a couple of weeks to prepare for the race. She'll start in the Pro Category.

Tomorrow, the Duels will sort the starting spots among the drivers already in the 500 (except for polesitter Martin Truex and second starter Mark Martin), and the four who will have to race their way in. Thirteen drivers will go home.