Daytona 500

[Alexamateo]

Some thoughts going into the race:

Some may not like the two car packs, but it's broken up the big giant pack and made it more like it used to be. Only 12 cars were on the lead lap and that was with the free pass rule of today. Tony Stewart had a flat tire late yesterday, and was able to come back because he wasn't buried in the pack. FWIW, I think that's a good thing.

Tires are showing no wear at all. It's not inconceivable that a team could go the distance only changing tires once or twice, or maybe even not at all (although I don't think anyone would ever try that.)

Because of the broken up pack, there will most likely be no "big one", but there might be a lot of little ones, with the difference in closing speeds when drivers have to switch in order to keep their engines cool.

It promises to be an interesting race, I'm ready for it.

Let's go racing boys!

[DanicaFan]

I am picking Kyle Busch to win this race.

[slorydn1]

Yeah, It's definitely going to be different. I do like the fact that it's more like it used to be. I'm just not so sure that I like the fact you have to rely on someone else to get you to victory lane. That said, that part is not much different than the way it was. Even in the big packs the winner was the one who had the best pusher.

It should be an interesting race.

[TURN3]

I can't figure out what there is to complain about. I really like the racing that is going on. I was never a fan of watching 35 cars in a line for 480 miles then watch who ended up in the most fortunate spot. True, you still need help but it has practically always been that way at Daytona. I think the racing this week has been great and I like the way it brings the past back.

[Alexamateo]

Yeah the pushing is the different part. I thought it was strange to hear Dale Jr. complain about not liking it, because to me he was the one to discover it. The first time I remember seeing it was the nationwide race in 2009 in Talladega with Jr. pushing Ryan Newman. The same two hooked up the next day, but moved to soon and Carl Edwards and Keselowski imitated it and ran them down.

[slorydn1]

race control says the drivers MUST maintain comm with their own spotter AT ALL TIMES after the cars have pulled out the track

[Alexamateo]

Looks like Harvick Blew up

[TURN3]

ECR engine up in flames...wonder if that is a sign. I figured those would be the engines to beat today.

[Alexamateo]

I was wrong, there's a big one.

[Alfa Fan]

**** Brian Vickers. There needs to be big penalties for that ****.