Daytona 500

[kaw500]

And away we go.

I just thought I'd get the party started with the 1st of our weekly NASCAR race threads.
Shoot out Saturday night, Qualifying Sunday, Twin 150's on Thursday and the 500 on the 18th. After going last year I thought once is enough but I sure would like to be there again this year. Lots of drama in the off season and the Toyota has landed in Cup.

I think Tony Stewart will be a force to reckon with on race day and Casey Mears will also have a strong run along with the usal suspects. But I'm in the RGM camp again this year and the #7 Ford will make a charge, top 20, top 10? No matter though with RG at the wheel it will never be boring.

The big question is will NASCAR let us vote on the in-car radio transmission? After taking RG off the ballot (for alot of odd reasons) he never retuned to it last year.

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[b-makk]

The big question is will NASCAR let us vote on the in-car radio transmission? After taking RG off the ballot (for alot of odd reasons) he never retuned to it last year.

There's going to be 40 drivers available this year for every race. That leaves 3 guys out - Besides RG, I wonder who the other 2 will be

They took him off the ballot last year because it depends on points - they took the highest 5 guys not already available (except the Gibbs teams who opted out).

Stewart should win the 500 this year as long as he doesn't start another fight with Kenseth. I think he'll win the Cup too.

[dezertranger1600]

He was consistent at the end of last season...so hopefully it'll carry over to this season

[kaw500]

[QUOTE=b-makk;250902]They took him off the ballot last year because it depends on points - they took the highest 5 guys not already available (except the Gibbs teams who opted out). /QUOTE]

One of several reasons we were given, when I called I was told it was to give other drivers a chance I could not belive I was told that. I think NASCAR finally just ignored our inquries (and there where lot of them) because if he was on the ballot he got voted in by a huge margin. Lots of support? ES fans got happy when they removed RG.

[b-makk]

One of several reasons we were given, when I called I was told it was to give other drivers a chance I could not belive I was told that. I think NASCAR finally just ignored our inquries (and there where lot of them) because if he was on the ballot he got voted in by a huge margin. Lots of support? ES fans got happy when they removed RG.

They'll have a hard time giving a good reason this year when he's 1 of 3 not available. They'll finally have to come straight out and tell you it's "because his name is Robby Gordon!"

I remember voting ......constantly! Too bad we can't vote for somebody to be removed ...POS! DirecTV made a big mistake giving him an in-car camera because the view sucks from the garage.

[bajafox]

Finally!

Let's see what these Rousch/Yates motors are made of and being a Toyota guy I hope they have a good year.

[spalind]

Finally!

Let's see what these Rousch/Yates motors are made of and being a Toyota guy I hope they have a good year.

Agreed...as much as I want RG to do well with his new car and engine...I can't stand Rousch's whining about Toyota all the time...

[woundedyak]

On speed channel last night. Rousch said he set aside 10mil just to deal with Toyota. I think he just shot himself in the foot. After this season,I bet Toyota starts approaching the big teams like Gibbs and Pensky. If one of those teams goes with Toyota, I bet Rousch will become a second rate team.

[RGFan]

Seems like RG is having some aero issues and is wanting some more on track time. They just showed Robby blow by the courtesy line in practice to get onto the track. There are alot of Fords, most with Roush/Yates HP near the top of the leader board, RG is currently 44th. They were starting to bash Robby for not waiting in line. Larry Mac came on and noted that RG needs more time on the track with the new Ford and all and can not afford to go along with being courteous today. I am sure we will hear from the bashers about this. So goes life as an RG fan in nascar

[NIKAL]

This was anounced at Dayatona, POS does it again! He Buys another teams points!

* Waltrip partners up with Wells for the #00 team: Michael Waltrip Racing has partnered with PPI Motorsports owner Cal Wells for the ownership of the #00 Domino's/Burger King Toyota. The team will be known as Waltrip-PPI Racing with Michael Waltrip Racing as the managing partner, MWR general manager Ty Norris said Friday. That means the car, driven by David Reutimann, will have the points of the #32 car from last season, which was 37th in points and not in the top 35 to be locked in for the first five races. Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby confirmed Friday those points only help in case of a rainout of all qualifying for the Daytona 500 (and possibly at the expense of the Waltrip's #55). Having qualifying wiped out for the Daytona 500 is a highly unlikely scenario with four days to get qualifying speeds posted and three days to get the 150-mile qualifying races completed. If qualifying gets rained out at other tracks, the 2006 owner points are used to set the top 35, but are not used as criteria if qualifying attempts are needed to fill the field. Norris said as Michael Waltrip Racing was building up its team, it had a need for equipment and personnel that Wells had. "It really doesn't change anything for marketing purposes - but Cal Wells is involved as the car owner," Norris said. "There may be some benefit to us [in qualifying], but whether there is or not, we were starting a new team that needed some people. "Cal's whole 32 pit crew is the pit crew for Michael Waltrip now. There are a lot of things that we did with Cal, and if there is a benefit that comes along with it in the rainout provision, that would be good for us." Michael Waltrip Racing would retain the points if PPI Motorsports returns to competition in 2008, Norris said.(SceneDaily.com)(2-10-2007)