The Sprint Cup tour makes its third stop in the city of bright lights and pleasure as the 2009 season begins to take shape. Looking sharp are the Childress fellows and Jimmie Johnson looking once again like the inevitable champion after suffering disaster at Daytona. The Blue Ovals seem to have rolled snake eyes so far with only mediocre performance out of the Roush Fenway stable while the most powerful performer in the Richard Petty garage, Kasey Kahne, has suffered two horrible races wrecking both times.
Joe Gibbs’ Toyotas have been relatively stable but not shown winning form with all but Denny Hamlin in early solid contention. Both Red Bull teams are back to back with Brian Vickers in 14th and Scott Speed in 15th.
Teams that have gotten off to dreadful starts possibly in danger of not placing in the top 35 will look for good performances lest their anxiety grow more intense approaching competition in Bristol after which guaranteed starting spots will be determined by this years, not last years, owner point standings. Surely, Ryan Newman buried in 36th spot and Marcos Ambrose in 39th will seek to run good clean races looking for at least top 20 finishes to improve their odds to stay in the field. The new effort having taken possession of the fifth Roush car driven by Boris Said must seriously step up their efforts mired in 32nd second place. Kasey Kahne, surely Richard Petty’s operation’s best driver nervously inhabits 33rd spot.
The good news for struggling teams, a fine finish can give them the chance to leapfrog many positions and all is suddenly well. How quickly that which looks good can turn afoul with a DNF.
All things great and small take on far more significance this early in the season. Are these only little hiccups or minor issues needing some quick attention or are some problems indicative of serious systemic problems that could mark the beginning of a bad season.
Racing is a high stakes game. With all the hoopla of building up for the Daytona 500 and the first sense of normalcy afforded by California where better to take the next step than the land of loud entertainment, high stakes gambling, and all kinds of promotion.
The atmosphere will be intense this afternoon when cars roll out for their first practice and then qualify.
Joe Gibbs’ Toyotas have been relatively stable but not shown winning form with all but Denny Hamlin in early solid contention. Both Red Bull teams are back to back with Brian Vickers in 14th and Scott Speed in 15th.
Teams that have gotten off to dreadful starts possibly in danger of not placing in the top 35 will look for good performances lest their anxiety grow more intense approaching competition in Bristol after which guaranteed starting spots will be determined by this years, not last years, owner point standings. Surely, Ryan Newman buried in 36th spot and Marcos Ambrose in 39th will seek to run good clean races looking for at least top 20 finishes to improve their odds to stay in the field. The new effort having taken possession of the fifth Roush car driven by Boris Said must seriously step up their efforts mired in 32nd second place. Kasey Kahne, surely Richard Petty’s operation’s best driver nervously inhabits 33rd spot.
The good news for struggling teams, a fine finish can give them the chance to leapfrog many positions and all is suddenly well. How quickly that which looks good can turn afoul with a DNF.
All things great and small take on far more significance this early in the season. Are these only little hiccups or minor issues needing some quick attention or are some problems indicative of serious systemic problems that could mark the beginning of a bad season.
Racing is a high stakes game. With all the hoopla of building up for the Daytona 500 and the first sense of normalcy afforded by California where better to take the next step than the land of loud entertainment, high stakes gambling, and all kinds of promotion.
The atmosphere will be intense this afternoon when cars roll out for their first practice and then qualify.
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