Trouble in Turn2

Normally I spend the day after a race reading as many blogs and websites for information on the race. After a quick spin through the usual blogging suspects, I was too wiped out to read anymore. I made me realize how draining Speedweeks are for fans. The Bud Shootout kicks things off and fans get a rush of adrenaline because NASCAR is back. Then qualifying is the next day, there is always something newsworthy to talk about from Monday through Wednesday and then the Duels on Thursday guarantee action. Then there’s no time to catch your breath before the Truck, Nationwide and Cup races over the weekend. Come Monday, I’m exhausted. Worse, I didn’t get President’s Day off . Now imagine a driver like Kyle Busch who participated in every session except the Shootout. The dude has to be fixin’ for a vacation!

Unfortunately for Shrub, he will have to wait one more week some surfing. The tour heads west this coming weekend for the race in Fontana. Ah, movie stars, empty seats and often a nice nap before the finish. Although after the action at Daytona brings promise that the CoT will make for better racing at the front of the field.

Before we think about this weekend, it’s time to exhale and wring out the rest of the Daytona tidbits. First, check out the different emotions of the finish from a fan of the winner and contrast that with reactions from the driver that just missed. The highs and lows of the biggest race in the sport in a nutshell.

The Weekend in Quotes

I don’t think I have the words for what the last year has been. Exactly a year ago today actually, not to elaborate, but my wife was diagnosed with cancer. You know, I thank Roger Penske for giving me the opportunity to take care of what comes first, which is family. Without Roger, I would not have been able to do that. That just says a lot about the team as a whole again.

-Penske crew chief Roy McCauley. It’s sometimes forgotten that crew members have real lives with real families. I can’t imagine how rewarding it must be that not only did McCauley make the right decision to take time off, see his wife’s health improve, and then return to enjoy the thrill of a Daytona 500 win.

Don’t have the words. It’s awesome. It’s probably one of the most awesome things that’s ever happened to me. To understand all the history of NASCAR, of racing in general, you know, the drivers meeting, to be looking face to face with all the guys, the greats that were on stage up there, and now to be part of one of those guys and part of that team, it’s just awesome.

Ryan Newman on his win.

We’re going to spend it to make the cars go faster, I’m sure that’ll be the first thing we’ll do.

Roger Penske on where the $1 million bonus check from Dodge will go. Did someone say personal test track?

Once I did get to the back bumper, I just held the gas down. I didn’t care how hard I hit him — it was coming to the checkered flag.

Kyle Busch describing the last lap. Although it could easily have been his outlook for any of the 200 laps.

On that last restart we weren’t fast enough to run up front. We were in a bad spot. I knew we were going to get passed for the lead but it’s always fun to lead at Daytona. Finishing 13th isn’t a bad start to the season.

Jeff Burton, who was a sitting duck on the final restart.

Yeah, we just got caught doing something everybody else is doing (laughter).

Dale Earnhardt Jr, when asked to elaborate on the “technical issue” on his Nationwide car. In other words, nothing has changed regarding cheating in NASCAR.

Now it’s time to move on to the rest of 2008. It seems like Daytona, while it is the biggest race of the season, gets a disproportionate amount of coverage compared to the other 35 races. After all, it has very little bearing on long term success for the season, the winner rarely wins the championship and things could be completely different by the time the tour returns in July.

Don’t forget to check out the 2008 Driver Previews of the top 25 drivers. New drivers added daily through the end of the week.