The 2006 Daytona 500

[herdfan]

Now that the football season is over , I thought I would start a thread for those who understand the need for TNT-HD.

The 2006 season starts off with the Bud Shootout on Saturday 2/11 at 8:00 and features pole winners from 2005 plus previous Shootout winners. There were 17 pole winners in 2005 plus 6 previous winners eligible. Not sure of this years format, so I will update when I find out. They seem to change it every year.

On Sunday is Bud Pole qualifying on 2/12 at noon? again on TNT-HD. Only the front row is set today with the remainder of the results being used to set the field for the Gatorade Duel.

On Thursday 2/26 at noon (take off from work ) the Gatorade Duel is two races based on Sunday's qualifying results. Odd place (1,3,5..) qualifiers run in the first one with even qualifiers in the second. The top 14 not counting the pole sitter (one of the top two qualifiers from Sunday) from each race are guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500.

So that gets us to 30 cars. We need to get to 43. The rest of the field is set based on a combination of speed from Sunday and 2005 owner's points. Any top 35 team from 2005 not in the race via the Bud Pole or Gatorade Duel is guaranteed a spot in the race. There is also a past Champion's provisional which is given to the most recent past NEXTEL Cup Champion who needs it. There are currently 2 drivers eligible for this not in the Top 35: Bill Elliot ('88) and Terry Labonte '(84, '96). It goes to Terry first since he is the most recent.

Then on Sunday 2/19 at 2:30 on NBC-HD is the Daytona 500. Its 200 laps of side-by-side racing just waiting for the big one (wreck). Jeff Gordon was last year's winner something I hope is not repeated - EVER!

So let the NASCAR discussion begin:

 

[Mr Tony]

Now that the racing god is gone (Rusty Wallace) I have a dilemma….do I root for the #2 car even though Big Ears (Kurt Busch) is the driver (and I cannot stand him)?

I’m looking forward to this year. I have a feeling we’ll see some new people in the winners circle.

 

[herdfan]

even though Big Ears (Kurt Busch) is the driver (and I cannot stand him)?

:haha Too funny. Don't care much for him either. I used to be a big Rusty fan then he let Gordon get the best of him at Bristol - TWICE. He was no longer the driver he used to be. Actually, not since 2/18/2001.:river

Not really sure who to follow anymore. Jarrett has seemed to have lost his edge as has Mark, although he had a great 2005. I think some of that was because it was going to be hislast year and he really put everything he had into it, but with him coming back for one more year, I have to wonder if he can "get up" for one more year.

I would like to see Ken Schrader win again. Not a huge fan, but he deserves one.

So I guess for 2006 I will start by root against the Gordon/Johnson group. Never liked Gordon. Too wishy-washy when he wins. For God's sake, just say we kicked everyone's ass and don't apologize.

I look forward to see what Jamie McMurray can do in a Roush car. I'm a Ford guy, so he gets a few points there. And I like Michael Waltrip just because you don't know what he is going to say next.

 

[Mr Tony]

I will start by root against the Gordon/Johnson group

agreed...oh wait. I already did

 

[waltinvt]

I agree with most of the above except since my 12 year old daughter likes Kurt Bush, I gotta kind of put up with him .

I'm afraid I fell into the Dale Jr camp 5 years ago like many others but maybe for different reasons than some. He got a lot thrown on his table when his dad died and he's been caught between the impossiblity of trying to live up to a legand and becoming his own man while still a kid. He struggles and falls on his face a lot but he wears his heart on his sleeve. Right or wrong, he says what he feels even if the kid side of him hassn't given it a lot of thought yet.

Anyway, my daughter and I are excited (one trip to Loudon and she was hooked) and glad we get TNT HD, now if only Dish would get Fox HD before the 26th

 

[DWS44]

Between TNT-HD and FOX and NBC OTA, I'm ready for another season of NASCAR in HD. Only problems I have are that the local NBC affiliate is a bit flaky with their HD. Took them about 20 races in 2004 and into 2005 to get used to switching to the HD broadcast. Funny that the Charlotte affiliate in the home of NASCAR had so many problems with this.

I've been a Terry Labonte fan for over 20 years, so it's tough that we've finally made it to the final year. Hopefully I'll be in Texas for his last race in November in addition to my annual pair of trips to Bristol. Dropped my season tickets to Lowes this year...tired of the Jimmy Johnson Lowe's benefit races.

As for Terry, at least he gets a few additional races in the new HOF Racing #96 DLP-sponsored Chevy for 7 races. Then he'll be a doorstop in the 44 car (or lack thereof) for 10 more races.

Probably the stranger part is getting used to rooting for the 43 car, with Bobby driving after being in the 18 car all these years. With Loomis and Parrott on board, hopefully they will get that team going the right direction again!

But then again...at least we get one more season before they start rolling out that god-awful winged "car of tomorrow" abomination they have been developing. I say we simplify it all and just got back to running notchback 1984 Monte Carlo SS's! hehe

 

[korsjs]

i guess i will have to update my avatar soon.

 

[dfergie]

I'll catch hell for this pick but...#8

 

[Jimbo]

Who do ya like ???

I have been a E fan (Sr & Jr when he was in Busch ) since the begining of MY time watching Nascar, so I will root for Little E. 1990.
As for older racers, I like Mark Martin...

As for youngsters, I root for Kyle Busch, (can't stand Kurt), but like Kyle and
Carl Edwards.

Jimbo

 

[Foxbat]

Gotta stick with the Home town hero, #12 "Rocket Ryan"! My son is much more fickle, so I don't know who he's rooting for this year.

 

[KE4EST]

I'll catch hell for this pick but...#8

Well not much hell, but I pulled for #3 for years. After he died I did like most I went to #8, but the last two years I was thinking what was I thinking. So this year I'm not sure what to think.

 

[dfergie]

I rooted for #3 too...More into NHRA then Nascar though...

 

[boston area dtv]

I too root for Ryan Newman...problem is with him he wrecks early and often!

Ice ..my buddy is a big Rusty fan..even went on the cruise with Rusty recently said he is a real decent down to earth guy.

 

[snaggerbob]

Does anyone know if Miller is going to still sponser the #2 car? I heard they wouldn't because of Busch. I'd like to see Schrader win again also....then call it quits. I like Brian Vickers one of the best of the new generation. He's talented and young. Kyle Busch has a ton of talent too and has a better attitude than his older brother. Let's go racing!

 

[Mr Tony]

Does anyone know if Miller is going to still sponser the #2 car?

racingone.com has the following for 2006

No. Driver Sponsor Make Owner
2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge Roger Penske

 

[herdfan]

Does anyone know if Miller is going to still sponser the #2 car? I heard they wouldn't because of Busch........ I like Brian Vickers one of the best of the new generation. He's talented and young. Kyle Busch has a ton of talent too and has a better attitude than his older brother.

I think its sort of funny that Miller is sponsoring "Busch".

As for Vickers and Kyle: They run for Hendrick so what every they learn or earn just goes into making Gordon/Johnson better which is never a good thing. That crap they pulled last year when JJ got caught during the Chase with something NASCAR didn't like and Hendrick's response was: "Well you didn't seem to mind when Kyle was running it all year."

In case you haven't figured it out, I don't like Gordon or Johnson.

 

[Tom in TX]

Mark Martin - A class act, and a great driver. Had a great year, and now that this REALLY might be his last, I'll pick him. Rousch Racing Rules!
Tom in TX

 

[Diamond Jim]

When I was a pup I was a Ned Jarrett fan, so I guess it stays in the family, Go Dale!

 

[waltinvt]

I'll catch hell for this pick but...#8

Not by me you won't

 

[waltinvt]

Mark Martin - A class act, and a great driver. Had a great year, and now that this REALLY might be his last, I'll pick him. Rousch Racing Rules!
Tom in TX

He's definitly my 2nd favorite and yes, a "class act" for sure. Probably the most humble and modest driver in the business too.