Chapter 76: The Drivers Meeting
The next morning everybody got up and all of the drivers were getting ready for the drivers meeting. After they were all ready they met at the spot they had to meet at. They took a seat and Mike Helton started the meeting.
�Welcome to a new year of racing,� he started. �I just want to start off by saying that as we start this new year we all know that everybody has a equal shot at winning the title so good luck to you all.� Everyone then clapped. �Thanks guys. Ok today�s meeting schedule is as follows. We are going to go through your general Daytona advice, then talk about something that I heard about from some people last night and last but not least what�s going on today. Lets start with the general Daytona advice.�
�And that is my job to tell you today,� John said. Everyone clapped and then John started. �#1 be careful not to cause the big one. Lets try to get through a plate race without doing that. #2 do not wreck the leader or put anybody in the wall. That gives you a chance to hurt your own car and also cause the big one. #3 watch exiting pit road. You do not want to take out a fellow competitor. Last but not least�stay safe. Any questions?� No one raised their hands. �Then Mike can explain what he heard last night from some drivers.�
�Well Shane Hmiel secretly found out that Rick Hendrick is going to put Jimmie in Brian�s car and put Jeff in Terry�s car,� Mike started. �He told his friend sand they told me. Now I personally have explained to them and you all know what has gone on and the fact their suspended for the Daytona 500. If any of you see them doing this sneaky plan even through I told them last night to and gave them a lecture, please tell a official and they will tell me. Any questions about this?�
�I disagree with the penalty to Jeff and Jimmie,� Brian disagreed with the penalty.
�Why Brian?� Mike asked.
�Think about it,� Brian started. �You are taking a shot away from them to win NASCAR�s biggest race�the super bowl of NASCAR. Another way to penalize them would to take the points that they get away from them yet at least give them a shot to win.�
�During Speedweeks Jeff and Jimmie have done some bad thing sand they caused trouble for Jr and his friends,� Mike started. �That�s why they are not going to run in the 500. They will be back in Rockingham next week. Anymore questions?�
�Brian�s got a good pt,� Terry commented as he stood up. �No matter where they finish lets say you don�t count the pts they earn. Still its kind of the same.�
�Terry lets drop this right now,� Mike demanded. �Any other questions before I move on?� Everyone said no before Terry and Brian said something else. �What is gong on today is the president is coming down and giving the command to start engines.
�And we are doing driver introductions an hr before the race like usual,� John added.
�And there will be a concert for a little bit before the driver introductions too,� Mike continued.
�By who?� Jamie asked.
�3 Doors Down will be performing,� Mike told Jamie.
�And were done,� John finished it off. �Any final questions?�
No one said they had a question so Mike then said, �Ok. Have a great day, be safe and have fun!�
Then everyone left. Jr headed back to his souvenir trailer to sign some autographs.
