Countdown

[steff]

48 days until the Daytona 500. Freshly repaved track, first time since 1978/9 that it has had a new surface.


any early winner predictions?

[missd]

Finally, someone who speaks my sport language. Let's go racing!!!!!

[steff]

Yeahhhhh!!!!!! I was giving up hope on anyone here watching racing. Definately looking forward to the start of Speedweeks.

[domeasingold]

My only hope is that Jimmie Johnson doesn't win again this year and JR has a better year. Plus I hope Stewart gets punched in the other eye! At least 3 more months until my racing season begins.

[dmsm]

Hey lady love your Avatar So this is where I can find you? I do not follow Nascar because it is not in my area but would love to go to a race. We have local races here that we used to go too. A lot of fun. I love how nascar got it's start. I absolutly loved the movie ThunderRoad.. I think it was before your time LOL

[steff]

Dale Junior on the pole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WooooHooooooo!

[steff]

I got your email and just sent you one back dmsm.....

[NancysSummerSip]

OMG..race fans! 'bout time you guys showed up (OK, I remember steff as a race fan from the old boards).

It's all about Jr. this week, and the whole storybook situation, with this the 10th anniversary of Sr.'s death and Jr. on the pole. I'd like to see him do well as his own man, but that's big shoes and a big reputation to live up to, and I wonder if he will ever be able to separate himself from his father's legend.

Other hopefuls: would not mind seeing Jamie MacMurray win, because he is a joy to watch. Would love to see Mark Martin get the win for us old folks.

[steff]

yeah! good to see at least a couple more fans here to talk to about racing. I'd like to see Junior win this weekend (of course), but I think it's too much of a crap shoot with the 2 car tag teams. I think Denny went below the yellow line just to see if Nascar would let it slide or not before it really counted....now he knows they won't let it slide. IMO, Newman did NOT force him below the line...not even close.

looking forward to the Duels on Thursday, trucks on Friday night, Nationwides on Saturday and then Junior on Sunday!

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Junior!

[dmsm]

I see they are going to have a moment of silence for Number 3. I think that sounds like a wonderful way to remember him..

[dmsm]

Is the race today??? hey Steff, hope you are getting ready to enjoy the races... I miss my football. lol

[NancysSummerSip]

I'm working, but listening to it and getting up to watch a bit every so often. The hubby is glued to his chair. Actually, I get up and go into the living room just to check on him and make sure all is well.

[b2r]

Starting lineup for the 54th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Daytona International Speedway:

Row 1:
1, No. 99, Carl Edwards, Fastenal Ford
2, No. 16, Greg Biffle, 3M Ford

Row 2:
3, No. 14, Tony Stewart, Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
4, No. 17, Matt Kenseth, Best Buy Ford

Row 3:
5, No. 88, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet
6, No. 78, Regan Smith, Furniture Row/CSX Play It Safe Chevrolet

Row 4:
7, No. 9, Marcos Ambrose, Stanley Ford
8, No. 48, Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's Chevrolet

Row 5:
9, No. 31, Jeff Burton, Caterpillar Chevrolet
10, No. 33, Elliott Sadler(i), General Mills/Kroger Chevrolet

Row 6:
11, No. 98, Michael McDowell, KLOVE/Curb Records Ford Ford
12, No. 20, Joey Logano, The Home Depot Toyota


Row 7:
13, No. 29, Kevin Harvick, Budweiser Chevrolet
14, No. 18, Kyle Busch, M&M's Brown Toyota


Row 8:
15, No. 22, AJ Allmendinger, Shell Pennzoil Dodge
16, No. 24, Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet


Row 9:
17, No. 7, Robby Gordon, MAPEI/Menards/SPEED Energy Dodge
18, No. 39, Ryan Newman, U.S. ARMY/Quicken Loans Chevrolet


Row 10:
19, No. 1, Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
20, No. 5, Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance Chevrolet


Row 11:
21, No. 6, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(i), Ford EcoBoost Ford
22, No. 55, Mark Martin, Aaron's Toyota


Row 12:
23, No. 2, Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Dodge
24, No. 36, Dave Blaney, Ollie's Bargain Outlet Chevrolet


Row 13:
25, No. 34, David Ragan, Scorpion Truck Bedliners Ford
26, No. 56, Martin Truex Jr., NAPA Auto Parts Toyota


Row 14:
27, No. 43, Aric Almirola, Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes Ford
28, No. 51, Kurt Busch, Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet


Row 15:
29, No. 10, Danica Patrick(i), GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
30, No. 15, Clint Bowyer, 5-hour Energy Toyota

Row 16:
31, No. 11, Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota
32, No. 47, Bobby Labonte, Kroger Toyota


Row 17:
33, No. 38, David Gilliland, MHP/Power Pak Pudding Ford
34, No. 87, Joe Nemechek(i), AM FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves Toyota


Row 18:
35, No. 42, Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chevrolet
36, No. 13, Casey Mears, GEICO Ford


Row 19:
37, No. 27, Paul Menard, Menards/Peak Chevrolet
38, No. 93, David Reutimann, Burger King Toyota


Row 20:
39, No. 83, Landon Cassill, Burger King Toyota
40, No. 21, Trevor Bayne(i), Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford T


Row 21:
41, No. 26, Tony Raines, Front Row Motorsports Ford T
42, No. 30, David Stremme, Inception Motorsports Toyota T


Row 22:
43, No. 32, Terry Labonte, C&J Energy Ford PC


Did Not Qualify:
No. 40, Michael Waltrip
No. 23, Robert Richardson Jr.(i)
No.97, Bill Elliott
No. 37, Mike Wallace(i)
No. 09, Kenny Wallace(i)

(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

[NancysSummerSip]

They've made a decision to start the race at 7 p.m. tonight. Awesome. I'll be home in time to watch it. Makes for a miserable cross-country haul to Phoenix, though.