NASCAR Talk

Boogity, boogity, boogity…let’s go racin’!

All is right in my world again. It’s time to kick off the NASCAR season and what a way to do it! The 50th running of the Daytona 500 wraps up a weekend full of great racing at the culmination of Speed Weeks. There’s a lot to look forward to as the Craftsman Trucks, Nationwide Series, and the Sprint Cup cars all take to the restrictor plate race track. Drop the green flag and away we go, right after the jump!

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Sprint Cup Daytona 500
Airs Sunday February 17, 2008 at 2:00 PM ET on FOX.

It’s the biggie! The 50th running of the Daytona 500 is here and there are a lot of new drivers or drivers with new teams who are out to prove themselves in the “Super Bowl” of NASCAR racing. Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his brand new Hendrick ride is on fire winning both the Bud Shootout and his Gatorade Duel at Daytona so far. He should be very strong and have a great chance of winning the race on Sunday. Let’s not count out his Hendrick teammates Jimmie Johnson, who is on the pole, and veteran Jeff Gordon who had a strong showing the Duels as well. Michael Waltrip is a great restrictor plate racer and starts on the outside pole, so keep your eyes on the #55 Napa Toyota, too. It will also be interesting to see how the Gibbs Racing Toyotas will stack up to the field, as they looked strong in the Duels and practice, too.

Nationwide Series Camping World 300
Airs Saturday February 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN2.

It’s the first time the cars will run under new title sponsor Nationwide Insurance, so what should we expect? Well, with Tony Stewart on the pole for the race, he will definitely be one to watch. This race is usually dominated by Sprint Cup regulars and the Buschwhackers (Nationwidewhackers?) with Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning in the recent past. Jason Leffler is the highest qualifying full time Busch Driver in third, so hopefully he’ll get a good finish as well.

Craftsman Truck Series Chevy Silverado 250
Airs Friday February 15, 2008 at 7:30 PM ET on SPEED.

The past couple of years, the pole sitter at the start of the Craftsman Truck race at Daytona also won. Last year it was Jack Sprague and the year before it was Mark Martin. This year, Erik Darnell is sitting on the pole for the Chevy Silverado 250. Will he be able to hang on to that lead for the entire race and end up in victory lane? I guess we’ll find out!