Full Throttle

The Daytona “Duels.” Who cares. I never bothered to watch and had no intention to. Not even the presence of NASCAR’s new color of the moment (Orange) could entice me into it. In the context of a 36 race season, two non-points paying events that settle nothing other whether a virtual handfull of drivers will make the field or not is pretty meaningless.

Speaking of those on the outside looking in. Scott Riggs has to be the surprise of the week after a botched pit stop that resulted in the Valvoline Dodge being the only entry of the multi-car teams not in the field. My guess is Valvoline with be waving plenty of cash around the tail end of the field just to get their logo, if not Riggs, in the starting linup. (It may have already happened, as I write this I haven’t checked.)

Prediction: Sometime in the near future whoever ratted out the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy will be known. That infraction wasn’t found by accident or any outstanding job performance by the NASCAR inspectors. Somebody pointed a finger. I betting Hendrick’s greatest rival and threat on restrictor plates tracks. Can you spell DEI?

Question: Did NASCAR point out the use of, and reason for, the “color of the moment” to the IROC drivers. Not that it matters, IROC is not a sanctioned event. But considering the field is mostly NASCAR related drivers one would think a word of caution would have been appropriate. With all the bump drafting and Steve Kinser sent flipping in the air as a result caution wasn’t the word of the day.

And just what the hell is this! Nothing like putting a “new face” on a new season.

And finally on my list of rumnations is this silly bet. that has Miller Brewing throwing down the Beer Gaultlet to rival Budwieser. It’s great theater and advertising, but if either Junior or K. Busch wins the 500 I’ll go running down International Speedway Boulevard, naked, with a can of each product in my hand, a vintage Dick Trickle stoogie between my lips and replica Smokey Yunick hat on my head.

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