Nationwide Series -Drive4COPD 300

[DanicaFan]

First official race thread of the year... The Nationwide Series at Daytona Speedway.

Race 1 of 34

Daytona International Speedway
Drive4COPD 300

Sat, Feb. 19th - 1PM Eastern - ESPN2

[DanicaFan]

Here is the entry list..

1. #1 Landon Cassill
2. #01 Mike Wallace
3. #2 Elliott Sadler
4. #4 Tony Stewart
5. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. #05 David Starr
7. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
8. #7 Danica Patrick
9. #09 Kenny Wallace
10. #11 Brian Scott
11. #12 Sam Hornish Jr.
12. #14 Eric McClure
13. #15 Todd Bodine
14. #16 Trevor Bayne
15. #18 Kyle Busch
16. #19 Mike Bliss
17. #20 Joey Logano
18. #22 Brad Keselowski
19. #23 Robert Richardson Jr.
20. #24 Kevin Lepage
21. #25 Kelly Bires
22. #27 JR Fitzpatrick
23. #28 Derrike Cope
24. #30 Jason Leffler
25. #31 Justin Allgaier
26. #32 Reed Sorenson
27. #33 Clint Bowyer
28. #38 Kasey Kahne
29. #39 Josh Wise
30. #40 Scott Wimmer
31. #41 Patrick Sheltra
32. #44 Jeff Green
33. #51 Jeremy Clements
34. #52 Bobby Santos III
35. #55 Brett Rowe
36. #60 Carl Edwards
37. #62 Michael Annett
38. #66 Steve Wallace
39. #70 Shelby Howard
40. #79 Jennifer Jo Cobb
41. #81 Donnie Neuenberger
42. #87 Joe Nemechek
43. #88 Aric Almirola
44. #89 Morgan Shepherd
45. #99 Michael Waltrip

[DanicaFan]

First practice cancelled due to rain.

[Mr. Mister]

I'm very excited to have Bobby Santos back in the series, even if it's only part-time and not exactly good equipment (and likely a park). Just nice to see he's still on the radar after he couldn't get the funding to continue into 2008 with various teams that had offered. Rumor has it he might run some more races this year with TBR or MacDonald, though both depend on the one thing that's eluded Santos his entire career: money.

Decent entry list, though. Should be a fun race!

[Lee Roy]

And I'm happy to see Donnie Neuenberger (who is from my area in Maryland) back in action.

[Mr. Mister]

And I'm happy to see Donnie Neuenberger (who is from my area in Maryland) back in action.

Neuenberger's a class act. :up:

Top four broke 200 in practice.

[DanicaFan]

Results of the 1st practice session..

88ARIC ALMIROLAGT VODKA/HARD ROCK CHEVY 44.932200.303152*4TONY STEWART(I)OREO/RITZ CHEVY 44.947200.23683*20JOEY LOGANO(I)GAMESTOP TOYOTA45.234198.9659460CARL EDWARDS(I)FASTENAL FORD45.316198.6051156RICKY STENHOUSE JR.BLACKWELL ANGUS FORD45.365198.391106*5DALE EARNHARDT JR.(I)HELLMANN'S CHEVY 45.441198.0598701MIKE WALLACEG&K SERVICES CHEVY 45.452198.0116899MICHAEL WALTRIP(I)PASTRANA WALTRIP RACING TOYOTA45.484197.8729970SHELBY HOWARDFORETRAVEL CHEVY 45.527197.6858102ELLIOTT SADLERONEMAIN FINANCIAL CHEVY 45.616197.299611*33CLINT BOWYER(I)RHEEM HEATING, COOLING & WATER HEATING 45.850196.29251215BRENDAN GAUGHANTIRE KINGDOM/VALVOLINE TOYOTA46.285194.447513*05DAVID STARR(I)31-W INSULATION CHEVY 46.310194.34251466STEVE WALLACE5 HOUR ENERGY TOYOTA46.727192.608815*1LANDON CASSILLPHOENIX CONSTRUCTION CHEVY 46.729192.60051662MICHAEL ANNETTPILOT TRAVEL CENTERS/FLYING J TOYOTA46.731192.5921017*41PATRICK SHELTRAFUEL DOCTOR FORD47.306190.25171830JASON LEFFLERACCUDOC CHEVY 47.385189.93471922BRAD KESELOWSKI(I)DISCOUNT TIRE DODGE47.418189.8017207DANICA PATRICKGODADDY.COM CHEVY 47.605189.05682138KASEY KAHNE(I)GREAT CLIPS CHEVY 47.675188.77822231JUSTIN ALLGAIERBRANDT CHEVY 47.801188.28142340SCOTT WIMMERKEY MOTORSPORTS CHEVY 47.844188.11152411BRIAN SCOTTSHORE LODGE TOYOTA47.853188.07652514ERIC MCCLUREHEFTY BLACK OUT CHEVY 47.915187.83362632REED SORENSONDOLLAR GENERAL CHEVY 47.961187.65272716TREVOR BAYNEFORD DRIVE ONE FORD47.962187.64942812SAM HORNISH JR.PENSKE DODGE DODGE48.148186.92422918KYLE BUSCH(I)Z-LINE TOYOTA48.176186.815130*51JEREMY CLEMENTSRACEDAYSPONSOR.COM CHEVY 48.205186.70323187JOE NEMECHEKD.A.B. CONSTRUCTORS, INC. TOYOTA48.219186.64843239JOSH WISECAJUN USA FORD48.391185.985533*44JEFF GREENTRISTAR MOTORSPORTS CHEVY 48.406185.92753409KENNY WALLACEUNOH TOYOTA48.544185.399235*25KELLY BIRESRACEDAYSPONSOR.COM FORD48.591185.21923689MORGAN SHEPHERDSALVATION ARMY CHEVY 48.610185.147637*24KEVIN LEPAGERACEDAYSPONSOR.COM FORD48.844184.260238*79JENNIFER JO COBBRIMROCK DESIGNS, INC. FORD49.088183.344439*55BRETT ROWEIMPERIAL BEDDING CHEVY 49.205182.90824027JR FITZPATRICKSCHICK HYDRO/ENERGIZER FORD49.231182.81224123ROBERT RICHARDSON JR.WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY DODGE49.251182.737242*52BOBBY SANTOSTARGET YOUR MARKET PROMOTIONS CHEVY 50.161179.422243*81DONNIE NEUENBERGEREAGLE CONVENIENCE STORES DODGE51.098176.13224419MIKE BLISSTRISTAR MOTORSPORTS CHEVY 0.0000.0000

[DanicaFan]

Results of practice session 1..

Rank / Car# & Driver / Lap Time / Speed

1. #88 Aric Almirola / 44.932 / 200.303
2. #4 Tony Stewart / 44.947 / 200.236
3. #20 Joey Logano / 45.234 / 198.965
4. #60 Carl Edwards / 45.316 / 198.605
5. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / 45.365 / 198.391
6. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. / 45.441 / 198.059
7. #01 Mike Wallace / 45.452 / 198.011
8. #99 Michael Waltrip / 45.484 / 197.872
9. #70 Shelby Howard / 45.527 / 197.685
10. #2 Elliott Sadler / 45.616 / 197.299
11. #33 Clint Bowyer / 45.850 / 196.292
12. #15 Brendan Gaughan / 46.285 / 194.447
13. #05 David Starr / 46.310 / 194.342
14. #66 Steve Wallace / 46.727 / 192.608
15. #1 Landon Cassill / 46.729 / 192.600
16. #62 Michael Annett / 46.731 / 192.592
17. #41 Patrick Sheltra / 47.306 / 190.251
18. #30 Jason Leffler / 47.385 / 189.934
19. #22 Brad Keselowski / 47.418 / 189.801
20. #7 Danica Patrick / 47.605 / 189.056
21. #38 Kasey Kahne / 47.675 / 188.778
22. #31 Justin Allgaier / 47.801 / 188.281
23. #40 Scott Wimmer / 47.844 / 188.111
24. #11 Brian Scott / 47.853 / 188.076
25. #14 Eric McClure / 47.915 / 187.833
26. #32 Reed Sorenson / 47.961 / 187.652
27. #16 Trevor Bayne / 47.962 / 187.649
28. #12 Sam Hornish Jr. / 48.148 / 186.924
29. #18 Kyle Busch / 48.176 / 186.815
30. #51 Jeremy Clements / 48.205 / 186.703
31. #87 Joe Nemechek / 48.219 / 186.648
32. #39 Josh Wise / 48.391 / 185.985
33. #44 Jeff Green / 48.406 / 185.927
34. #09 Kenny Wallace / 48.544 / 185.399
35. #25 Kelly Bires / 48.591 / 185.219
36. #89 Morgan Shepherd / 48.610 / 185.147
37. #24 Kevin Lepage / 48.844 / 184.260
38. #79 Jennifer Jo Cobb / 49.088 / 183.344
39. #55 Brett Rowe / 49.205 / 182.908
40. #27 JR Fitzpatrick / 49.231 / 182.812
41. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. / 49.251 / 182.737
42. #52 Bobby Santos / 50.161 / 179.422
43. #81 Donnnie Neuenberger / 51.098 / 176.132
44. #19 Mike Bliss / No Times

[DanicaFan]

Practice Session 2 Results...

Rank / Car# & Driver / Lap Time / Speed

1. #4 Tony Stewart / 44.502 / 202.238
2. #22 Brad Keselowski / 44.503 / 202.234
3. #88 Aric Almirola / 44.995 / 200.022
4. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. / 45.000 / 200.000
5. #60 Carl Edwards / 45.177 / 199.216
6. #38 Kasey Kahne / 45.179 / 199.208
7. #18 Kyle Busch / 45.194 / 199.141
8. #66 Steve Wallace / 45.557 / 197.555
9. #62 Michael Annett / 45.559 / 197.546
10. #20 Joey Logano / 46.067 / 195.368
11. #09 Kenny Wallace / 46.226 / 194.696
12. #12 Sam Hornish Jr. / 46.259 / 194.557
13. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / 46.264 / 194.536
14. #16 Trevor Bayne / 46.300 / 194.384
15. #2 Elliott Sadler / 46.310 / 194.342
16. #27 JR Fitzpatrick / 46.357 / 194.145
17. #01 Mike Wallace / 46.440 / 193.798
18. #11 Brian Scott / 46.460 / 193.715
19. #15 Todd Bodine / 46.498 / 193.557
20. #30 Jason Leffler / 46.543 / 193.370
21. #7 Danica Patrick / 46.559 / 193.303
22. #33 Clint Bowyer / 46.599 / 193.137
23. #39 Josh Wise / 46.604 / 193.116
24. #14 Eric McClure / 46.647 / 192.938
25. #05 David Starr / 46.788 / 192.357
26. #70 Shelby Howard / 46.788 / 192.242
27. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. / 47.122 / 190.994
28. #40 Scott Wimmer / 47.625 / 188.976
29. #28 Derrike Cope / 47.628 / 188.964
30. #81 Donnie Neuenberger / 47.794 / 188.308
31. #19 Mike Bliss / 48.032 / 187.375
32. #31 Justin Allgaier / 48.337 / 186.193
33. #1 Landon Cassill / 48.362 / 186.097
34. #32 Reed Sorenson / 48.414 / 185.897
35. #87 Joe Nemechek / 48.541 / 185.410
36. #79 Jennifer Jo Cobb / 48.581 / 185.258
37. #24 Kevin Lepage / 48.824 / 184.336
38. #51 Jeremy Clements / 48.827 / 184.324
39. #25 Kelly Bires / 48.958 / 183.831
40. #44 Jeff Green / 49.417 / 182.124
41. #89 Morgan Shepherd / 49.440 / 182.039
42. #55 Brett Rowe / 49.494 / 181.840
43. #52 Bobby Santos / 50.647 / 177.701

[Lee Roy]

That's a pretty big spread in times/speeds.

[Mr. Mister]

Yeah, a lot of it has to do with some of these drivers being unable to get drafting partners.

Something broke in regards to steering on the 52 and it got totaled. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has done a very nice thing, as it was Means' only COT, and Santos will run his back-up in qualifying and the race. I assume, though, that after all the money lost, and Earnhardt probably wanting his car back in one piece, this will be a park (though it probably was anyway). As a Santos fan, this has not been a good week at all. :P

[TURN3]

Haven't had a chance to see what the Nationwide cars are doing here yet. Are they doing the 2-Step like the cup or is the aero any different here?

[beachbum]

Haven't had a chance to see what the Nationwide cars are doing here yet. Are they doing the 2-Step like the cup or is the aero any different here?Similar, but Carl Edwards pointer out that the Nationwide bumpers don't quite line up and are slightly curved, so it is more "bump" drafting rather that "pushing". But like CUP, it is worth almost 2 seconds per lap. Anyone who doesn't have a dancing partner in the race will be in big trouble.

[DanicaFan]

Danica Patrick qualified 4th for tomorrow's race at Daytona in the Drive4COPD 300 in the Nationwide Series. Way to go Danica!

[DanicaFan]

Danica is on her way to a victory!!! I am so excited. I cant wait until tomorrow.

[beachgirl]

Do you need some Depends?

[DanicaFan]

Congrats to Clint Bowyer for the pole..

Here is the starting line-up..

Rank / Car# & Driver / Lap Time / Speed

1. #33 Clint Bowyer / 49.773 / 180.821
2. #1 Landon Cassill / 49.834 / 180.600
3. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr. / 49.836 / 180.592
4. #7 Danica Patrick / 49.867 / 180.480
5. #31 Justin Allgaier / 49.874 / 180.455
6. #20 Joey Logano / 49.995 / 180.018
7. #16 Trevor Bayne / 50.024 / 179.914
8. #18 Kyle Busch / 50.039 / 179.860
9. #60 Carl Edwards / 50.071 / 179.745
10. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / 50.091 / 179.673
11. #11 Brian Scott / 50.094 / 179.662
12. #22 Brad Keselowski / 50.097 / 179.651
13. #62 Michael Annett / 50.164 / 179.412
14. #4 Tony Stewart / 50.176 / 179.369
15. #88 Aric Almirola / 50.190 / 179.319
16. #32 Reed Sorenson / 50.209 / 179.251
17. #12 Sam Hornish Jr. / 50.215 / 179.229
18. #87 Joe Nemechek / 50.234 / 179.162
19. #2 Elliott Sadler / 50.272 / 179.026
20. #38 Kasey Kahne / 50.306 / 178.905
21. #66 Steve Wallace / 50.315 / 178.873
22. #30 Jason Leffler / 50.415 / 178.518
23. #52 Bobby Santos / 50.501 / 178.214
24. #70 Shelby Howard / 50.505 / 178.200
25. #09 Kenny Wallace / 50.510 / 178.183
26. #99 Michael Waltrip / 50.512 / 178.175
27. #01 Mike Wallace / 50.608 / 177.837
28. #44 Jeff Green / 50.668 / 177.627
29. #51 Jeremy Clements / 50.704 / 177.501
30. #19 Mike Bliss / 50.719 / 177.448
31. #39 Josh Wise / 50.747 / 177.350
32. #25 Kelly Bires / 50.771 / 177.267
33. #81 Donnie Neuenberger / 50.781 / 177.232
34. #14 Eric McClure / 50.798 / 177.172
35. #41 Patrick Sheltra / 50.873 / 176.911
36. #15 Todd Bodine / 50.905 / 176.800
37. #24 Kevin Lepage / 50.932 / 176.706
38. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. / 51.064 / 176.249
39. #89 Morgan Shepherd / 51.118 / 176.063
40. #27 JR Fitzpatrick / 51.427 / 175.005
41. #28 Derrike Cope / 51.554 / 174.574
42. #40 Scott Wimmer / 52.327 / 171.995
43. #05 David Starr / 51.061 / 176.260

[slorydn1]

Danica is on her way to a victory!!! I am so excited. I cant wait until tomorrow.

Ok, look, dude, piece of advice: Don't get your hopes up too terribly high just yet, cause the sudden crash will hurt more later. Trust me, I know.
This was restrictor plate qually on a baby smooth race track and she has a car thats way better than most of the field. I believe that you and/or I could have put that car in the top 5 on the grid.
Tommorrow is a whole different ball game when she has to find help to keep her up front. And even her CAR OWNER side stepped the question "Will you draft with her tommorrow?" I've never seen Junior stutter so much in his carreer as he tried to two step his way thru that answer, basicly saying she has a good car and is on her own to find a way to stay on the lead lap. Now I may have been able to qually p4 in that car but I would probably wreck it in turn 1 of the race. I think she'll get way farther than that, and if she can avoid the big one, i think she can get her first top 10 of her nascar career- i really believe she can.
But WIN IT- no, no one is going to help her do that this time, not even Jr....

[Alexamateo]

Congrats to Bobby Santos qualifying in the Jimmy Means car.

Nice story about how Dale Jr. helped them get in the field: http://www.news-journalonline.com/racing/nationwide-series/2011/02/18/junior-is-means-to-an-end.html

Some background on Jimmy means and Dale Jr. connection: http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Jimmy_Means.htm

[TURN3]

Ok, look, dude, piece of advice: Don't get your hopes up too terribly high just yet, cause the sudden crash will hurt more later. Trust me, I know.
This was restrictor plate qually on a baby smooth race track and she has a car thats way better than most of the field. I believe that you and/or I could have put that car in the top 5 on the grid.
Tommorrow is a whole different ball game when she has to find help to keep her up front. And even her CAR OWNER side stepped the question "Will you draft with her tommorrow?" I've never seen Junior stutter so much in his carreer as he tried to two step his way thru that answer, basicly saying she has a good car and is on her own to find a way to stay on the lead lap. Now I may have been able to qually p4 in that car but I would probably wreck it in turn 1 of the race. I think she'll get way farther than that, and if she can avoid the big one, i think she can get her first top 10 of her nascar career- i really believe she can.
But WIN IT- no, no one is going to help her do that this time, not even Jr....

He's never going to get it slory...when he reappeared after going the rounds of being banned on other forums, I decided that it only gives unjustified credibility to he and the circus character driving the 7 to even acknowledge either exists. When said driver of the 7 does something news worthy, wake me up. Otherwise, race season is finally here!

[Sparky1329]

If one of the guys starting behind the #7 get brave enough to bump draft her, she'll meet Mr Wall up close and personal. I just hope she doesn't take out too many cars when she wrecks. And that's only IF she doesn't drop back through the field like there's a rock tied to her bumper when nobody gives her a push. Most of the time those racing anywhere near her give her as much room as possible in defense so option #2 seems the most likely.

[harvick#1]

I guess DF doesnt realize that Qualifying at Daytona and Talladega is 99.99% car and .01% driver.

by lap 1, she will be 20th or so

[beachbum]

If one of the guys starting behind the #7 get brave enough to bump draft her, she'll meet Mr Wall up close and personal. I just hope she doesn't take out too many cars when she wrecks. And that's only IF she doesn't drop back through the field like there's a rock tied to her bumper when nobody gives her a push. Most of the time those racing anywhere near her give her as much room as possible in defense so option #2 seems the most likely.The racing "media" keeps mentioning her "lack of experience" as the reason no one with draft with her, or drivers were concerned with her starting at the front. She has been racing in Indy Car how many years? How many Nationwide races has she run? She seems to be a very slow learner.

It isn't lack of experience, she just drives like she has no experience. No one seems to trust her or drive too close to her - just like in Indy Car . As a saying goes, you can have years of experience or the same year repeated over and over again. But she has a very fast car, so someone may take the risk - or not.

[Mr. Mister]

To further the story of Earnhardt helping Jimmy Means, the best news out of all of that is the 52, which normally parks, will run the full race distance with Bobby Santos today! Thinking of how easy it would have been for Dale to ask them to park so he could have the car back in one piece, it's such a commendable move by him to let them run and risk losing that car. A lot of people don't like Earnhardt for his fans, and sometimes I can see that, but he really is a great guy.

[harvick#1]

To further the story of Earnhardt helping Jimmy Means, the best news out of all of that is the 52, which normally parks, will run the full race distance with Bobby Santos today! Thinking of how easy it would have been for Dale to ask them to park so he could have the car back in one piece, it's such a commendable move by him to let them run and risk losing that car. A lot of people don't like Earnhardt for his fans, and sometimes I can see that, but he really is a great guy.

Harvick does this all the time, yet some still believe hes a punk

[TURN3]

Harvick does this all the time, yet some still believe hes a punk

I've never heard of Harvick doing anything quite like this, maybe he has but I've never heard of it. He is punk, no way around that. Just because a punk helps an old lady across the street doesn't mean he isn't a punk.

Cudos to Junior for helping out yet another less fortunate driver.

[harvick#1]

Harvick was one of the main reasons Morgan Shepard was still racing, Harv lended him Chassis' and other help, Stewart helped pay for tires and gas as well

[TURN3]

That was pretty sweet how the top 2 tandems switched out leaders. Kez, Bayne and Logano, Kyle...nice work by all. Gosh, isn't Bayne just a youngster with no experience? Where ever could he have learned that? Maybe he was on the radio to his team "tell me what to do, I don't know what to do, what does Kez want me to do?". That's probably how they worked to pull that off so smoothly.

[Anubis]

Loving how they're orchestrating the tandem switches. Looks like pursuit cycling out there.

[TURN3]

Too bad Hoe-nash's Charger is a pinball...sweet looking car.

[harvick#1]

Its funny how they keep thinking everyone is going to go with Danica, she doesnt know how to push, so why would anyone go with her. it has to go both ways

[TURN3]

Its funny how they keep thinking everyone is going to go with Danica, she doesnt know how to push, so why would anyone go with her. it has to go both ways

Who?

[harvick#1]

the announcers

[harvick#1]

appears to be a teammate battle, I give the edge to the KHI cars over Gibbs it seems, Bowyer can really push anyone up to the front

[TURN3]

I feel for Trevor Bayne...flat tire takes him out of contention. Easily the best "pusher" today.

[TURN3]

That was one hell of a race. 8 cars going for the W with 3 to go.

Hats off to the inexperienced guys like Cassill pushing Stewart to the W. Amazing what a talented racer can do here without experience. Some of those types didn't fair so well...hmmmm.

[harvick#1]

the punk owner gets another 1-2 finish :p

great race, but come on Nascar, dont go around under caution for 6 laps to then redflag it :rolleyes:

[DanicaFan]

Congrats to Tony Stewart for the win.

Danica ran a great race today. She learned a lot, even led a lap. Im proud of her !!!!

[ICWS]

Why didn't NASCAR display the yellow flag when the #20 car spun and spread debris on the track? Was that because he was behind the leaders and didn't have an effect on those four guys' results?

[TURN3]

Danica ran a great race today. She learned a lot, even led a lap. Im proud of her !!!!

Who?

[Alexamateo]

I think third was actually an advantage for Tony Stewart. Dale Jr. had thoughts of winning it himself so he separated from Bowyer, while Cassil, who was pushing Stewart, knew he wasn't going to win so he stayed hooked up.


Tony needs to give Landon Cassil a big ol' :kiss: :laugh:

[DanicaFan]

Here are the final results..

1. #4 Tony Stewart
2. #33 Clint Bowyer
3. #1 Landon Cassill
4. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. #32 Reed Sorenson
6. #30 Jason Leffler
7. #18 Kyle Busch
8. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
9. #99 Michael Waltrip
10. #16 Trevor Bayne
11. #38 Kasey Kahne
12. #20 Joey Logano
13. #19 Mike Bliss
14. #7 Danica Patrick
15. #87 Joe Nemechek
16. #51 Jeremy Clements
17. #52 Bobby Santos
18. #15 Todd Bodine
19. #88 Aric Almirola
20. #66 Steve Wallace
21. #05 David Starr
22. #70 Shelby Howard
23. #81 Donnie Neuenberger
24. #41 Patrick Sheltra
25. #28 Derrike Cope
26. #89 Morgan Shepherd
27. #31 Justin Allgaier
28. #09 Kenny Wallace
29. #60 Carl Edwards
30. #22 Brad Keselowski
31. #39 Josh Wise
32. #23 Robert Richardson Jr.
33. #14 Eric McClure
34. #11 Brian Scott
35. #40 Scott Wimmer
36. #12 Sam Hornish Jr.
37. #01 Mike Wallace
38. #2 Elliott Sadler
39. #62 Michael Annett
40. #44 Jeff Green
41. #24 Kevin Lepage
42. #27 JR Fitzpatrick
43. #25 Kelly Bires

[ICWS]

She did well today, but this is a 100% throttle track that favors drivers with good equipment. I'd like to see her try to replicate this result next week at Phoenix, which is a track that lends itself to good driving a little more than good equipment.

[beachbum]

She did well today, but this is a 100% throttle track that favors drivers with good equipment. I'd like to see her try to replicate this result next week at Phoenix, which is a track that lends itself to good driving a little more than good equipment.Getting pushed to the lead by Boyer, then hanging him out to dry and ending up a lap down all in the same fuel run. She undoubtedly had great equipment, but couldn't do much with it. Santos was in team car he had never driven, was running a super speedway for the first time, had a pit penalty, and still almost beat her. Her performance can't be blamed in "inexperience"

She certainly didn't make any friends after the Bowyer incident when even her car owner wouldn't draft with her.

[slorydn1]

the punk owner gets another 1-2 finish :p

great race, but come on Nascar, dont go around under caution for 6 laps to then redflag it :rolleyes:

Actually we ALL know who the REAL owner is, LOL ;)

DIS=DeLana International Speedway :D

[ICWS]

Getting pushed to the lead by Boyer, then hanging him out to dry and ending up a lap down all in the same fuel run. She undoubtedly had great equipment, but couldn't do much with it. Santos was in team car he had never driven, was running a super speedway for the first time, had a pit penalty, and still almost beat her. Her performance can't be blamed in "inexperience"

Good point. That's why I would like to she her try to replicate the result she had today at next week's race. I think a 14th at Phoenix would be more impressive than a 14th at Daytona, as she would need to not depend so much on her equipment to get that kind of result at that track or any track similar to Phoenix. But knowing DP's skills, I think she'll have a much tougher time next week trying to finish that high than she did today.

[Mr. Mister]

Danica's making progress, at the very least. At a horrendously slow rate, but progress nonetheless. She didn't do anything particularly stupid, and while the commentators wanted to fault her for "switching over" with Bowyer, I actually think it was a case of Bowyer not wanting her to push him (not enough trust, which is understandable) than her not being able to lift and get behind him. She slowed down but Bowyer kept slowing down more until she just went ahead. More a case of Bowyer being cautious than Danica being clueless.

Shame Santos overshot the pit box and then got flustered, getting a speeding penalty. He's a real talent (I know I'm biased), but that's definitely something that needs ironing out. Speaking of iron, how ironic how Means' weekend turned out somewhat better after the wreck. I realize they lost a lot of money, but they gained some real publicity, and would have lost money anyway as Santos and the 52 were not looking to be leading FTQ candidates. Nice to see him get some TV time and glad they kept Junior's car together.

The racing itself wasn't horrible, but it was not particularly exciting. I have to say, though, that ESPN's production really made the race worse than it actually was; they just showed the leader all race long regardless of what was going on anywhere else.

[DanicaFan]

She did well today, but this is a 100% throttle track that favors drivers with good equipment. I'd like to see her try to replicate this result next week at Phoenix, which is a track that lends itself to good driving a little more than good equipment.

She will do just fine at Phoenix. Phoenix is now her home track. :)

I look for a couple wins from Danica this year in the Nationwide Series.

[TURN3]

She will do just fine at Phoenix. Phoenix is now her home track. :)

I look for a couple wins from Danica this year in the Nationwide Series.


Is it possible that we only discuss relevant drivers that actually belong at the professional level. Discussing a driver that has finished 1 race on the lead lap (albeit 19th with 23 running), states on radio "I don't know what to do", and goes 1st to a lap down on a superspeedway in 20 laps...is not relevant.


How about bayne and cassill today!? Now let's talk about some talent and not a circus sideshow project that is failing miserably.

Btw...how did that home track work out last year?

[beachbum]

Danica's making progress, at the very least. At a horrendously slow rate, but progress nonetheless. And that is the crux of the matter. She is as clueless now about how to race as she was in the first race. She is driving a bit better, but racing better? Not really, and just like Indy Car she doesn't seem to be making any friends on track. She really hung Boyer out to dry. The latest excuse of "inexperience" is insulting to race fans and other drivers. Any other driver with so little to show after 12 Nationwide races in what is one of the best cars in the series would be out looking for a ride.

Landon Cassill was a Hendrick development driver in 2007-2008, running for JR Motorsports in 2008. He did better than this novelty act, but yet was rideless last year. He is currently the points leader, but doesn't even have a ride for Phoenix. Josh Wise kept the 7 car in the points most of last year, but now picks up marginal rides just to stay in the series. Kelly Bires lost his ride at JR Motorsports with a much better record, but now is stuck with a start and park team. Santos had never even driven the JR Motorsports backup car before qualifying and did a nice job. Yet we have Danica!

We all know why she is still out there, getting in the way of drivers who know how to race and taking a ride from real talent. GoDaddy bucks and a perceived marketing bonanza. A side show ride buyer. I am amazed at how hard Eury and the gang are working to try to make a race driver out of her (not just a driver of race cars). Test sessions at short tracks, getting Mark Martin to set up her car, getting Stewart and Junior to try to draft with her in practice, pounding around for more laps that anyone in every practice, giving her a car that almost won the pole. And what do they have to show for it? A driver who can't stay on the lead lap, and doesn't have the smarts to just drop in behind Bowyer after he pushed her very fast car into the lead.

The longer this goes on, the more foolish the experiment becomes. The dreamers are right about one thing. If she ever wins a race in NASCAR it will be huge. But realists can see the likelihood of that is about the same as winning the lottery. Possible, but very very long odds.

Like Turn3, I am tired of this sideshow. Let move on the young drivers who do show talent as racers. Drivers like Cassill, Wise, Bayne, Santos, and even women like Johanna Long. They are the future of NASCAR, assuming they can find enough support to develop

[Sparky1329]

I watched the race on-and-off this afternoon but long enough to see DP's car owner avoid her like the plague. What a waste of a very competitive car.

[ICWS]

Is it possible that we only discuss relevant drivers that actually belong at the professional level. Discussing a driver that has finished 1 race on the lead lap (albeit 19th with 23 running), states on radio "I don't know what to do", and goes 1st to a lap down on a superspeedway in 20 laps...is not relevant.


How about bayne and cassill today!? Now let's talk about some talent and not a circus sideshow project that is failing miserably.

Btw...how did that home track work out last year?

Sorry about that TURN3. But yeah, I'm really impressed with how Trevor Bayne has done during Speedweeks. If he keeps this up owhen going to other tracks, he may be the next Brad Keselowski/David Gilliland in the sense that he could pull an upset and win a race or two this season if he puts himself in the right places at the right times during the race. I think Trevor Bayne, Elliott Sadler, Justin Allgaier, Reed Sorenson, and Aric Almirola have the best shots of winning the Nationwide championship this year. I don't know how many wins they'll get, though, since they'll have to deal with the Buschwackers all year long again.

[Oli_M]

How about bayne and cassill today!? Now let's talk about some talent and not a circus sideshow project that is failing miserably.


I am seriously being impressed by Bayne in particular. I will admit last year in Waltrip's team the pole's he scored showed he had something, but he seemed to lose something when he got into the Roush cars at the end of 2010. Daytona this year, his cup qualifying was brilliant, I thought that may be a one off, but then seeing him in the Duel, and yesterday in Nationwide, shows he has got serious talent at plate racing. Having Gordon continually want to partner with him says an awful lot.

Really hoping the rest of the year goes well for him and we'll see him full time in Cup in 2012.

As for Cassill, it seems he's just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time with drives. I don't think he'll be able to run a full NW schedule this year, but hopefully can keep getting results to stay in the limelight when it comes to the top teams looking at their 2012 seats.

I think the new system of NW-only drivers looks like it may work out pretty well - it's clear all the top teams (KHI, JR, Gibbs, Roush etc) have got a car running for owners champ using the cup drivers, plus a car running for the drivers champ with Sadler, Almirola, etc

[beachbum]

Jack Roush has always had a good eye for young talent. Some have worked out, and some haven't, Colin Braun being the latest that just didn't quite make it. But he looks like he has a winner - literally - in Trevor Bayne. Bayne made a comment after qualifying says a lot about his maturity. He was commenting on Landon Cassill and said something to the effect that for a young guy, Cassill seems to be doing really well. Interesting perception since Bayne is almost 2 years younger. Bayne is already thinking like a veteran.

Obviously the Cup regulars don't have a problem with this latest crop of talent as they were very willing to draft with them. They have all of the tools - fast, smart, articulate, team players, and hard chargers. We can only hope they all keep getting the opportunities they deserve because they are fun to watch.