March 2006--I have to concede that once again, Jimmie Johnson drove a clean race at Vegas and did nothing (that we know of) to discredit the win. We will just ignore that Jimmie would still technically be in the lead in my Elimidriver competition. Clint Bowyer has moved into second place, tied with Casey Mears in the competition. Just like California, Vegas was interesting at the beginning, boring in the middle, and interesting at the end thanks to the green-white-checkered finish. It's not about the race, it's about the city. This weekend's Cup race at Atlanta will be a little better. Thankfully, Bristol and Martinsville are around the corner. I love my short tracks.
I had a crazy dream on Sunday night that Billy Joel was going to introduce Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to a group of people, and Junior said to me, "I really wish he wasn't introducing me." Then I heard Billy talking before the intros, being very anti-family and anti-Earnhardt (I'm not sure where this came from), so as he is about to start his intro, I interrupt and say "You know what? There's really no need for an introduction. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dale Earnhardt, Jr." So going on the theory that when I dream about a driver, he wins the next race (i.e. Jimmie Johnson at Daytona), I am predicting Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will win Atlanta this weekend.
February 27, 2006--The first California race of 2006 has come and gone, and I hope this mini-concert trend comes to an end soon. If the networks are going to make me sit through 45 minutes of pre-race, I at least want to see some driver or crew chief interviews, not listen to Jewel sing something that was lulling me to sleep. As expected, the Roush cars dominated with Matt Kenseth getting the victory, and the Dodge Charger outshined the Intrepid. Thankfully, the end of the race was exciting with the green-white-checker finish. In my Elimidriver competition, the frontrunners did not change. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Casey Mears continue to lead, but J. J. Yeley made a surprising jump to 9th, saving himself from elimination. David Stremme struggled, and when combined with last week had the lowest overall score and was eliminated from the competition. Stremme still has a chance to get back in the competition with the Wild Card races in Bristol.
I found it difficult to watch the entire race that actually ended under the allotted broadcast time for once. Dave Despain asked why people think California is so boring when the track was based on Michigan, a track with a great history that people love because the racing is good there. Yes, the racing is great when the cars are close to each other, but the track is 2 miles long. People liked Michigan because we only went there twice a year and the racing was good for that size track, but now in addition to those, we go to California twice a year and also Vegas (we won't even mention Pocono). I think we'll see ratings drop off as the Vegas race is next on the Cup schedule, but with Atlanta and Bristol immediately following, ratings will improve by the end of March.
In many ways, I was glad to have FOX back. I missed Jeff Hammond and Larry McReynolds explaining exactly how the cars work and what they mean when they say a car has lost a cylinder or broken the drive shaft. ("You All Everybody!" Drive Shaft could so play the pre-race!) Ol' DW can get a little "I wanna talk about me," but their chemistry as a whole is so much better. However, there's nothing like Wally's World and Dave Discovers, and I like how NBC comes back from a commercial immediately if there is a caution. Here's hoping when ESPN has their broadcasts they can take the best of both networks, great chemistry in the booth and coverage on the track. Unlike the SPEED Channel, I know ESPN will at least do a nightly NASCAR news show though I'm not looking forward to that score ticker on the bottom of the screen.
February 20, 2006--The coverage leading up to the Daytona 500 was incredible and thanks to Tony Stewart, journalists had something to talk about all week before the race. And thanks to Tony, the race was interesting as well. There were a decent amount of lead changes but it still seemed hard to pass during the foggy, misty day. I was really pulling for Casey Mears, winner of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona Race, and he came so close! Though I'm not a Jimmie Johnson fan, and most of the time he does something to irritate me, I cannot say anything bad today. He ran a great, clean race. He said he needed to be out front after the last pit stop with about 20 laps to go and he would win, and he did. He was not overly aggressive, stayed out of trouble, had great pit stops, and did not wreck anyone along the way. So, congratulations to my faux favorite driver for winning the Daytona 500! Maybe my dream was a premonition.
After one week of the Elimidriver Competition, there are several drivers who outshone the rest and a couple of drivers who need to do well at California to avoid elimination. Based on their great performances and media interaction, Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. lead the pack at this point. Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer follow close behind. Clint handled himself great with the media and was the highest finishing rookie, and though Tony had those incidents with Matt Kenseth, he had several great saves and kept his cool after the race giving several great interviews (keeping the focus on Tony). Jeremy Mayfield and J. J. Yeley both had a difficult day and are currently at the bottom of the rankings, but anything could happen this Sunday as we head to California. I'm guessing the Roush drivers will perform well, but look for the Dodge Intrepid vs. Charger story to make for some interesting finishes. And if I have another dream with a driver winning a race, I'm putting money on it!
February 1, 2006-Those who know me well know that Jimmie Johnson has been my 'faux' favorite driver for the last year. When going to races, I always stop in the Lowes and Levis tents because they have fun games and free stuff. I even go so far as to do those digital pictures where they put you in the backdrop of JJ or his car. But his whining, arrogance and "I'm better than everyone" attitude make it almost impossible for me to like him. That doesn't keep my subconscious mind from apparently wanting to pick him. This week, I had a dream where he won again at Lowe's Motor Speedway and I was there to congratulate him with a big hug, reminding him that it is 'his house.' In my dream he asked who my favorite driver was, and I told him it was Rusty Wallace and that I'm now searching for a different driver. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he wasn't on the Elimidriver roster and I actually contemplated putting him into the competition. So even though my conscious mind knows I could never have him as my favorite driver, I've decided to add him as an honorary competitor. I will track his points and standing in the competition. Maybe that will satisfy my subconscious.
January 2006-As I watched Rusty Wallace race at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, I had the chance to see a couple of my Elimidriver candidates race as well. Rusty's night ended early but it was good to see him being challenged to perform. I hope he will consider driving it next year, he would really improve. Tony Stewart, racing with Andy Wallace, no relation to Rusty, was the clear favorite but electrical problems kept him from contention. Tony was very cordial and seemed to be enjoying himself, even with the rib injuries from the Chili Bowl. And then there was Casey Mears. Racing with teammates Dan Weldon and Scott Dixon, early in the race it looked like the Chip Ganassi Target DP was going to be out early, but as other teams faltered, Casey's team rallied through the night and won the race. Casey, while not very verbose, showed his respect for his team and those in the series. If his commitment, desire to win and respect as a driver continue throughout the Nextel Cup season, Mears may just become my new favorite driver.
December 2005--In early December I attended the Rusty Wallace NASCAR Cruise along with 1800 of my closest friends. I was hoping that the throngs of fans or Rusty himself could help me with my driver dilemma. Instead, what I found were fans just like me, pondering what I've been pondering, "Who should be my new favorite driver?" Even Rusty couldn't help, suggesting the current driver in the #2 Dodge (met with a thunderous NO) or Stephen Wallace when he gets into Cup in a few years. So for now, the Rusty fans are all in Limbo. I came back from the cruise with a renewed vigor for my ELIMIDRIVER competition. I was reminded of the professionalism of Rusty Wallace and courtesy towards his fans (though seeing him in a bathrobe getting a pedicure was not on my list of favorite things I want to see). Whoever my new driver will be has some big shoes to fill, and I can't wait to see who it will be!
Chase in 2006?
Danielle's Prediction:
Greg Biffle Dale Earnhardt, Jr X
Carl Edwards Jeff Gordon X
Kevin Harvick X Jimmie Johnson X
Matt Kenseth X Mark Martin X
Reed Sorenson Tony Stewart