Fasten your seatbelt. The cars are really fast and undisputedly furious! But it’s not just the ability to drive speedily. It’s also about the strategy.

BUCKLE-UP!

Here’s a quick ride on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) 2006 updates!

- February 12 signaled the start of the race for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP at Daytona International Speedway with the Bud Shootout.

- Mark September 17 for the chase for the NEXTEL Cup, which starts off with the Sylvania 300 at the New Hampshire International Speedway.

- Watch out for Tony Stewart, the defending series champion and driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevy for Joe Gibbs Racing.

- The season ends on November 19 with the Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

- Could this really be the last for the sponsorship title NEXTEL Cup? To recall, Sprint (another telecom company) has purchased Nextel last year. So do we have the NASCAR Sprint Cup or the Sprint/Nextel Cup?

NEW CARS

Tune-up for the latest additions this season!

Replacing the Taurus, here comes the first for Ford’s all-new Fusion. Also, it was Monte Carlo Super Sport’s (SS) first-ever appearance on the circuit! SS is a new version of Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

ROOKIES

Will the next set of rookies battle for positions?

1. Clint Bowyer, #07 – Jack Daniels Chevy: Richard Childress Racing
2. Chad Chaffin, #61 – Front Row Motorsports Chevy
3. Denny Hamlin, #11 FedEx Chevy: Joe Gibbs Racing
4. David Stremme, #40 Lone Star Steakhouse/Coors Light Dodge: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
5. Martin Truex Jr., #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy: Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
6. Brent Sherman
7. Reed Sorenson, #41 Target Dodge: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
8. J.J. Yeley, #18 Interstate Batteries Chevy: Joe Gibbs Racing

HALL OF FAME

Finally a recognized Hall of Fame for NASCAR!

It was Charlotte, North Carolina, the chosen NASCAR Hall of Fame. Last March 2006, the said speedway overtook the others as two-thirds of most NASCAR teams are based in or closely based in there. The other candidates were Atlanta, Georgia, Talladega, Alabama, Kansas City, Kansas, Detroit, Michigan, Richmond, Virginia and Daytona Beach, Florida.