Hendrick front row

[harvey lee]

Well I see Jr got the pole for next Sunday. I have no idea how Jr will fair working in the same shop as JJ and his crew chief being Steve Latarte but the pole was a great start.

Now we will see if Jr can turn it all around a be a threat more than he has been in the past seasons.

IT was good to see for me anyways.

[fishinchicks]

I know one almost-10-year-old who is also very happy to see Jr get the pole. We will be watching the Daytona 500 with his family, and celebrating his birthday at the same time (2 days early). About 5 years ago I started baking race themed birthday cakes for him. This year it might be a die-cast Jr car on a pole.

Interesting how they changed things up at Hendrick's with crew chiefs and crews. Hopefully it will pay off.

[HOF#13]

It was nice to see Jr. up front, but the way this race is going to play out, it will all be about hooking up with the right car, and making your push for the lead at just the right time. If the racing on Sunday is like it was for the shootout, you could just as well make this thing a 20 lap race.

[gregg52]

ya they are talking bout shortening some of the races

i think these restrictor plates would be goods ones to do just that

maybe 100 laps sort out the cream sorta speak

cuz its the last few laps that are entertaining

[Juneau4]

I wonder how many engines will blow going 500 miles and turning a steady 9700 RPM. Ethanol burns hotter also I believe.

[harvey lee]

They can change a few things in the engine for ethanol to make the 500 miles.

[nobody05]

fyi ethanol actually burns cooler

[PierBridge]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not start first in the Daytona 500.

Eighteen minutes into the first practice for Thursday’s Gatorade Duels, Earnhardt got tapped from behind by Martin Truex Jr., sending him into the wall, destroying the No. 88 Chevrolet. With steam shooting from under his hood and his rear bumper dragging on the ground, Earnhardt wheeled his car to the garage where his crew was already unloading his backup car.

Earnhardt, who won the pole on Sunday, will now start at the rear of the field in both the Gatorade Duel and Sunday’s Daytona 500

[SledNeck]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not start first in the Daytona 500.

Eighteen minutes into the first practice for Thursday’s Gatorade Duels, Earnhardt got tapped from behind by Martin Truex Jr., sending him into the wall, destroying the No. 88 Chevrolet. With steam shooting from under his hood and his rear bumper dragging on the ground, Earnhardt wheeled his car to the garage where his crew was already unloading his backup car.

Earnhardt, who won the pole on Sunday, will now start at the rear of the field in both the Gatorade Duel and Sunday’s Daytona 500

[harvey lee]

Not quite sure what is so laughable about putting a guy in the wall Sledneck. One can get hurt rarther bad but I guess you figure it's a joke. Very sad on your end for childish thoughts like that.

I really see nothing funny about a driver getting run into the wall as they can die. Not suprising from you though.

Maybe your dog could get caught in a snare trap and then we could all laugh at you.

Think about what you say.

[gregg52]

now now

settle down boys racin is racin

were they drafting ?

i didnt watch any pratice today did the news change the tandem deall i'm kinda hoping so

or well i guess i can watch tomorrow its thursaday already

[harvey lee]

I know Greg, I just do not know how one can be happy when one crashes into a wall. I see no humor in that.

Seems the 2 car drafting is still working but the speeds have dropped a bit under 200mph. Doesn not look like a 3 car draft will work though.

[jwhjr]

Sled it worked again...

[HOF#13]

now now

settle down boys racin is racin

were they drafting ?

i didnt watch any pratice today did the news change the tandem deall i'm kinda hoping so

or well i guess i can watch tomorrow its thursaday already

From the replay IMO....Jr. was pushing Jimmy Johnson and was followed by Truex and another car. Jr. and JJ came up on a slower 2 car pack led by Robby Gordon. JJ and Jr. go to the outside of them and Robbie Gordon starts to pull up in front of them. JJ checks up, Jr. taps him, and Truex didn't have time to slow down and got into Jr.

What kind of irks me is that both Truex and Jr. have to go to their back-up cars and start at the back of the field for today's duel races. However, Truex will get credit for wherever he finishes in the duel and his starting spot in the 500 will be still dictated by his finish today. However, because Jr. won the pole, it does not matter where he finishes today and will have to start at the back of the field for the 500. Basically, as it now stands, he would have been better off not winning the pole.

That being said, I don't think where you start the 500 is really going to matter a whole heck of a lot. Just the more cars you have to pass, the better the chance to be caught up in a wreck.

[gregg52]

well that well be good if he passes alot of cars i'm playing on another fantsy deal where they get point for passing cars and Jr

was one of my picks...lol

Gooooooooooooooo JR

[harvey lee]

I agree that it really does not matter where one starts the race.

For one to win the pole and get penalized and not the other is hogwah. I don't care who the 2 drivers are, the penatly should be equal.

I guess that's the new NASCAR and they wonder why they are losing fans.

One does not have to look to far to answer that question.

[HOF#13]

I agree that it really does not matter where one starts the race.

For one to win the pole and get penalized and not the other is hogwah. I don't care who the 2 drivers are, the penatly should be equal.

I guess that's the new NASCAR and they wonder why they are losing fans.

One does not have to look to far to answer that question.

Can't disagree with ya there Harv!

[Juneau4]

Actually Truex didn't have a starting position until after todays races, Earnhardt did. The only drivers that can go to the back under NASCAR rules were the ones who had a position earned-Earnhardt and Gordon..Now that the starting lineup is set they are all eligible to go to the back if something happens to their car.

[HOF#13]

Actually Truex didn't have a starting position until after todays races, Earnhardt did. The only drivers that can go to the back under NASCAR rules were the ones who had a position earned-Earnhardt and Gordon..Now that the starting lineup is set they are all eligible to go to the back if something happens to their car.

I understand what you are saying. I, like Harvery Lee, just don't agree with the rule. Not that big of a deal though, the Daytona 500 is the only time somthing like this can happen.

[spearchucker]

I agree that it really does not matter where one starts the race.

For one to win the pole and get penalized and not the other is hogwah. I don't care who the 2 drivers are, the penatly should be equal.

I guess that's the new NASCAR and they wonder why they are losing fans.

One does not have to look to far to answer that question.

Any driver that goes to a backup car or engine will go to the back of the field. This is any race, or am I missing something.