The Great American RACE~Daytona International Speedway~DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA~NASCAR~FEBRUARY 18, 2007, 2:00 PM, EST.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2007 ~2:00 P.M. ON FOX NETWORK~ DONT MISS IT !
~ THE GREAT AMERICAN RACE ~
Daytona 500 Front Row Belongs to Robert Yates Racing
Friday, 02/16/07
New-look NASCAR wants to lap its critics
Car of Tomorrow, foreign-born driver among '07 changes
Buckle up, race fans, for a season that promises to be like nothing ever seen before.
With the mandated Car of Tomorrow, changes to the Chase for the championship, Toyota's arrival, ESPN's return and the introduction of former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya, 2007 will prove this isn't your Daddy's NASCAR.
Indeed, this season will be a pivotal one for NASCAR, which looks to rebound after a mediocre 2006 that saw television ratings slip and made many wonder if the sport had reached its plateau.
But NASCAR Chairman Brian France hasn't strayed from his belief that all is well in his family-owned business.
"We're in a very strong position," he insisted. "We are still the No. 2 sport on television. Promoters continue to enjoy great ticket sales throughout the year, and I know 2007, with all of the things that are going on, will make for an exciting season."
Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500 will mark the first time a Japanese automaker will take the green flag in NASCAR's top series as Toyota's expected to have at least a handful of its Camrys in the field. Seven different drivers, including two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and 1999 Cup champion Dale Jarrett, will race Camrys this season.
The inclusion of a foreign maker in a decidedly American sport has rankled many longtime fans, who Jarrett believes are closed-minded.
"I'm as American as the next person and I pay my taxes just like everybody else and I love this country," Jarrett said. "Toyota is a big part of the United States economy. They're going to put a lot of dollars in the sport, in promoting our sport, and that's going to be good for our sport as a whole."
Daytona 500 Front Row Belongs to Robert Yates Racing
Friday, 02/16/07
New-look NASCAR wants to lap its critics
Car of Tomorrow, foreign-born driver among '07 changes
Buckle up, race fans, for a season that promises to be like nothing ever seen before.
With the mandated Car of Tomorrow, changes to the Chase for the championship, Toyota's arrival, ESPN's return and the introduction of former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya, 2007 will prove this isn't your Daddy's NASCAR.
Indeed, this season will be a pivotal one for NASCAR, which looks to rebound after a mediocre 2006 that saw television ratings slip and made many wonder if the sport had reached its plateau.
But NASCAR Chairman Brian France hasn't strayed from his belief that all is well in his family-owned business.
"We're in a very strong position," he insisted. "We are still the No. 2 sport on television. Promoters continue to enjoy great ticket sales throughout the year, and I know 2007, with all of the things that are going on, will make for an exciting season."
Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500 will mark the first time a Japanese automaker will take the green flag in NASCAR's top series as Toyota's expected to have at least a handful of its Camrys in the field. Seven different drivers, including two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and 1999 Cup champion Dale Jarrett, will race Camrys this season.
The inclusion of a foreign maker in a decidedly American sport has rankled many longtime fans, who Jarrett believes are closed-minded.
"I'm as American as the next person and I pay my taxes just like everybody else and I love this country," Jarrett said. "Toyota is a big part of the United States economy. They're going to put a lot of dollars in the sport, in promoting our sport, and that's going to be good for our sport as a whole."
The race also will include Montoya, a native of Colombia who will be the only nonwhite driver in NASCAR's top series this season. A former CART champion, Indianapolis 500 winner and popular F1 driver, Montoya is starting what is expected to be a bumpy transition from open-wheel dominance to stock-car struggles.
An aggressive and outspoken driver, he also has proved to be a quick study, leading many to predict he'll visit Victory Lane at least once this season. Montoya just wants to take it one race at a time.
"This is a learning process for me, and there's no rush for me to be perfect," Montoya said. "But I am also not here for fun. This is serious business, and I plan on winning races."
Montoya is expected to bring new fans to NASCAR, and they'll have no problem finding him as he'll be featured heavily on satellite radio and television.
NASCAR is ramping up its exposure through Sirius Satellite Radio, which has an entire NASCAR channel that will provide flag-to-flag coverage on race day, and by welcoming back ESPN after a long hiatus.
ESPN was one of NASCAR's original broadcast partners, but the network was frozen out of coverage in the 2001 television package that awarded the TV rights to Fox and NBC.
But the sports network is back with a vengeance, promising to devote hours upon hours of air time and a nightly NASCAR Now news program.
"A lot has changed at ESPN since we did our last race in 2000," said John Skipper, vice president of content. "We no longer think of the races as a three-hour event. We think of the races as an opportunity for us to establish ESPN as the 24-7 home of the NASCAR fan."
The network also will be home to the Busch Series, promising NASCAR's junior varsity the first stable programming schedule in its history.
All that coverage should make it easy to decide whether NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow helps or hinders the sport.
The futuristic vehicle, designed and developed by NASCAR, will be phased into competition this season with 16 races, beginning with the March event at Bristol.
Intended to improve racing, cut costs and bolster safety, the CoT has drawn a wide difference in opinion around the garage. And many believe the team that adapts the fastest will be the Nextel Cup champion — the car will be used in five of 10 Chase races.
"I think it's really going to come down to who has the best feel for that car," said two-time champion Tony Stewart, a vocal critic. "It's a crapshoot, I think, and we're all going to have to wait and see who has their stuff together on the Car of Tomorrow."
It also comes down to winning, as NASCAR puts an emphasis on finishing first through tweaks to the Chase format.
NASCAR always has been an exercise in consistency, with most drivers content to settle for a top 10 finish. But France hopes to change that by awarding five more points for victories this year.
Those wins also will be good for bonuses when the Chase begins — for every victory scored during the "regular-season," a driver will get a 10-point cushion to be used in seeding the playoff field.
It's all a lot to ingest, but France is confident fans will adapt.
"We're very careful with our fan base and loyalties, and we're not going to squander that away," he said.
"We're going to make changes that we think they'll like, and that enhance competition on the track first and foremost. That's where it starts for us."
RACE LINEUP
Daytona 500
Daytona International Speedway
February 18, 2007 Race 1 of 36
POS CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR SPEED TIME BEHIND
1 38 David Gilliland Ford M&M's 186.320 48.304 Leader
2 88 Ricky Rudd Ford Snickers 185.609 48.489 -0.185
3 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot - - -
4 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite - - -
5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser - - -
6 40 David Stremme Dodge Coors Light - - -
7 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless - - -
8 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Kellogg's / CARQUEST - - -
9 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet FedEx Express - - -
10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT - - -
11 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Jack Daniel's - - -
12 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Interstate Batteries - - -
13 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker - - -
14 99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot - - -
15 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts - - -
16 12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL - - -
17 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National Guard / GMAC - - -
18 13 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet CertainTeed - - -
19 21 Ken Schrader Ford Little Debbie - - -
20 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV - - -
21 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's - - -
22 109 Mike Wallace Chevrolet Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts - - -
23 160 Boris Said Ford SOBE - No Fear - - -
24 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal - - -
25 16 Greg Biffle Ford Ameriquest - - -
26 01 Mark Martin Chevrolet U.S. Army - - -
27 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker - - -
28 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW - - -
29 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Wells Fargo - - -
30 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW - - -
31 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy - - -
32 10 Scott Riggs Dodge Valvoline / Stanley Tools - - -
33 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Target - - -
34 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil - - -
35 6 David Ragan* Ford AAA - - -
36 42 Juan Montoya* Dodge Texaco / Havoline - - -
37 22 Dave Blaney Toyota Caterpillar - - -
38 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet Waste Management - - -
39 7 Robby Gordon Ford Jim Beam - - -
40 00 David Reutimann* Toyota Domino's Pizza - - -
41 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. - - -
42 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont - - -
43 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota UPS Champion's Provisional
Did Not Qualify
44 36 Jeremy Mayfield Toyota 360 OTC - - -
45 23 Mike Skinner Toyota Bill Davis Racing - - -
46 139 Regan Smith Chevrolet Ginn Resorts - - -
47 4 Ward Burton Chevrolet State Water Heaters - - -
48 15 Paul Menard* Chevrolet PEAK / Menards - - -
49 84 A.J. Allmendinger* Toyota Red Bull - - -
50 34 Kevin Lepage Dodge Detoxify Brand / Makoto Sauces - - -
51 37 Bill Elliott Dodge Huddle House - - -
52 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull - - -
53 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing - - -
54 171 Frank Kimmel Ford Fast Track Driving School - - -
55 49 Mike Bliss Dodge BAM Racing - - -
56 104 Eric McClure Chevrolet Hefty - - -
57 130 Stanton Barrett Chevrolet Bad Boy Power Drink - - -
58 27 Kirk Shelmerdine Chevrolet Lilly Trucking of Virginia - - -
59 172 Brandon Whitt* Chevrolet Dutch Quality Stone - - -
60 74 Derrike Cope Dodge Royal Admin. - - -
61 158 James Hylton Chevrolet Retirement Living TV
An aggressive and outspoken driver, he also has proved to be a quick study, leading many to predict he'll visit Victory Lane at least once this season. Montoya just wants to take it one race at a time.
"This is a learning process for me, and there's no rush for me to be perfect," Montoya said. "But I am also not here for fun. This is serious business, and I plan on winning races."
Montoya is expected to bring new fans to NASCAR, and they'll have no problem finding him as he'll be featured heavily on satellite radio and television.
NASCAR is ramping up its exposure through Sirius Satellite Radio, which has an entire NASCAR channel that will provide flag-to-flag coverage on race day, and by welcoming back ESPN after a long hiatus.
ESPN was one of NASCAR's original broadcast partners, but the network was frozen out of coverage in the 2001 television package that awarded the TV rights to Fox and NBC.
But the sports network is back with a vengeance, promising to devote hours upon hours of air time and a nightly NASCAR Now news program.
"A lot has changed at ESPN since we did our last race in 2000," said John Skipper, vice president of content. "We no longer think of the races as a three-hour event. We think of the races as an opportunity for us to establish ESPN as the 24-7 home of the NASCAR fan."
The network also will be home to the Busch Series, promising NASCAR's junior varsity the first stable programming schedule in its history.
All that coverage should make it easy to decide whether NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow helps or hinders the sport.
The futuristic vehicle, designed and developed by NASCAR, will be phased into competition this season with 16 races, beginning with the March event at Bristol.
Intended to improve racing, cut costs and bolster safety, the CoT has drawn a wide difference in opinion around the garage. And many believe the team that adapts the fastest will be the Nextel Cup champion — the car will be used in five of 10 Chase races.
"I think it's really going to come down to who has the best feel for that car," said two-time champion Tony Stewart, a vocal critic. "It's a crapshoot, I think, and we're all going to have to wait and see who has their stuff together on the Car of Tomorrow."
It also comes down to winning, as NASCAR puts an emphasis on finishing first through tweaks to the Chase format.
NASCAR always has been an exercise in consistency, with most drivers content to settle for a top 10 finish. But France hopes to change that by awarding five more points for victories this year.
Those wins also will be good for bonuses when the Chase begins — for every victory scored during the "regular-season," a driver will get a 10-point cushion to be used in seeding the playoff field.
It's all a lot to ingest, but France is confident fans will adapt.
"We're very careful with our fan base and loyalties, and we're not going to squander that away," he said.
"We're going to make changes that we think they'll like, and that enhance competition on the track first and foremost. That's where it starts for us."
RACE LINEUP
Daytona 500
Daytona International Speedway
February 18, 2007 Race 1 of 36
POS CAR DRIVER MAKE SPONSOR SPEED TIME BEHIND
1 38 David Gilliland Ford M&M's 186.320 48.304 Leader
2 88 Ricky Rudd Ford Snickers 185.609 48.489 -0.185
3 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot - - -
4 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite - - -
5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser - - -
6 40 David Stremme Dodge Coors Light - - -
7 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless - - -
8 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Kellogg's / CARQUEST - - -
9 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet FedEx Express - - -
10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT - - -
11 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Jack Daniel's - - -
12 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Interstate Batteries - - -
13 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker - - -
14 99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot - - -
15 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts - - -
16 12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL - - -
17 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National Guard / GMAC - - -
18 13 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet CertainTeed - - -
19 21 Ken Schrader Ford Little Debbie - - -
20 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV - - -
21 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's - - -
22 109 Mike Wallace Chevrolet Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts - - -
23 160 Boris Said Ford SOBE - No Fear - - -
24 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal - - -
25 16 Greg Biffle Ford Ameriquest - - -
26 01 Mark Martin Chevrolet U.S. Army - - -
27 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker - - -
28 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW - - -
29 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Wells Fargo - - -
30 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW - - -
31 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy - - -
32 10 Scott Riggs Dodge Valvoline / Stanley Tools - - -
33 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Target - - -
34 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil - - -
35 6 David Ragan* Ford AAA - - -
36 42 Juan Montoya* Dodge Texaco / Havoline - - -
37 22 Dave Blaney Toyota Caterpillar - - -
38 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet Waste Management - - -
39 7 Robby Gordon Ford Jim Beam - - -
40 00 David Reutimann* Toyota Domino's Pizza - - -
41 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. - - -
42 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont - - -
43 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota UPS Champion's Provisional
Did Not Qualify
44 36 Jeremy Mayfield Toyota 360 OTC - - -
45 23 Mike Skinner Toyota Bill Davis Racing - - -
46 139 Regan Smith Chevrolet Ginn Resorts - - -
47 4 Ward Burton Chevrolet State Water Heaters - - -
48 15 Paul Menard* Chevrolet PEAK / Menards - - -
49 84 A.J. Allmendinger* Toyota Red Bull - - -
50 34 Kevin Lepage Dodge Detoxify Brand / Makoto Sauces - - -
51 37 Bill Elliott Dodge Huddle House - - -
52 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull - - -
53 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing - - -
54 171 Frank Kimmel Ford Fast Track Driving School - - -
55 49 Mike Bliss Dodge BAM Racing - - -
56 104 Eric McClure Chevrolet Hefty - - -
57 130 Stanton Barrett Chevrolet Bad Boy Power Drink - - -
58 27 Kirk Shelmerdine Chevrolet Lilly Trucking of Virginia - - -
59 172 Brandon Whitt* Chevrolet Dutch Quality Stone - - -
60 74 Derrike Cope Dodge Royal Admin. - - -
61 158 James Hylton Chevrolet Retirement Living TV
Labels: DAYTONA 500-2007, DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA, GREAT AMERICAN RACE, NASCAR, RACE CAR DRIVERS, RACING
posted by AMERICA~LAND OF THE FREE @ 2/16/2007 07:17:00 PM
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