Full Throttle

The second restrictor plate race of ‘06 is here. Talladega (and Daytona) always touches a few nerves. Many people love the place. Others hate the idea of 43 cars packed into an area the size of a soccer pitch. And with the nearly inevitable Big One occuring the forums and blogs will be filled with condemnation for the perpetrators of, or praise for, those involved in the inevitable.

But unlike previously the Big One isn’t the big pre-race story. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is.

More precisely Dale Jr. paying tribute to his late father by running his #8 Bud Chevy in the “colors” of the #3 is the story this week. Frankly I’m feeling a bit of ambivalence over the issue. Generally I tend to favor “old school.” I love the look of the #21 of Kenny Schrader. The block lettering of the #21 recalls days of David Pearson and the Woods Brothers. When Mark Martin ran last year carrying the “colors” of his old Valvoline or, even earlier Strohs Beer paint schemes it brought back pleasent memories.

But there is this nagging thought in the back of my mind, thoughts of NASCAR-nomics. The “black #3 story” first broke as a rumor. It remained in the rumor stage for 4-5 days (remember the old ketchup ad? “Anticipaaaation!”) then confirmation came from DEI. In the following day or two the first images appeared. Ah-HA, it’s true!

But that nagging feeling is us old schoolers have been “schooled.” Be honest now, how many “black #3″ stories have you seen that noted all six inductees in the “06 class of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame (IMHF)? (for some old school fun check the images at the preceeding link) Damn few have noted along with Dale Sr., Harry Gant, Janet Guthrie, Jack Roush and Humpy Wheeler are also receiving the honor.

Granted the IMHF is located in Talladega the site of many of Dale Sr’s greatest races but it just doesn’t feel right. Maybe I’m getting to jaded by all the NASCAR marketing crapola. And crapola like this doesn’t help. Not to mention the cost ($89.95) is from 1 to 3 gas tank fill ups dependent on what you drive.

So yes, I’m jaded, dulled by the NASCAR marketing surfeit and hoopla, but LET’S RACE!

But first… John has the latest and greatest silly season rumors (R. Gordon to Toyota is a lock!). Tom Higgins has a must read Letter to the Champ that goes further along to road to honoring Dale Sr. than any black #3.

If the aforementioned Big One occurs, blame it on the Talladega Curse! Assuming it didn’t get a pre-Talladega start and is the cause of Mikey’s woes. Keith Ott takes a shot at Monday’s headlines.

And so will I. Extry, extry, extry… Kirk Shelmerdine wins the AARON’S 499!

Hey, gimme a break! The weekend is billed as the 2006 Aaron’s Dream Weekend. So let me dream in peace.

And just a bit more old school and a reminder: Dodge seeks its first Talladega win since August 1976, when Dave Marcis won the Talladega 500. And don’t forget the Talladega Fun Zone!

Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Dale Earnhardt Sr, Busch Grand National Series, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle