U Want Some Racing

By Mark Young

The 2012 NASCAR season has officially begun and the racing world is buzzing. “How is Jr. going to do?” “How about them Fords?” are questions I get a lot this time of year. And every February every team out there is optimistic. Is it fake? Is it real? Nobody will know for several weeks but one thing is for sure, Daytona is on Sunday!! And that means it’s time to make some predictions.

THE WINNER – Now that the 2-car tandem racing has been broken up, for the most part, that means there are no longer standing team orders as to who guys MUST race with. This is a good thing for Dale Jr. He doesn’t have to stick on Jimmie’s rear bumper riding around in the back and have no chance to win because Jimmie sucks at plate racing. With that in mind I really think Jr. has an excellent chance to break the winless streak. Other cars that I think are fast right now and cannot be forgotten in the equation are the 24, 14, 18, 16.

THE DARK HORSE – Picking a dark horse for the 500 is always a shot in the dark. Obviously I think we have to throw Kurt Busch in there because of driving for an underfunded team. Another restrictor plate dark horse would be Marcos Ambrose who raced well on Saturday night.

WRECKS – There will be a lot of them I think and it will be a matter of where in the pack they take place in order for us to know who it will effect. The only safe place is up front, unless you are the one who gets tagged.

ATTRITION – NASCAR announced changes to the pop-off valve on Wednesday meaning the cooling system won’t spit water out until another 10 degrees or so. I am not so sure this will help the situation. Guys are going to try to tandem for position often and it is going to drive these engine builders nuts.

DANICA – The media will be all over her but that is to be expected. How will she race? Well don’t let her qualifying effort fool you. Greg Zipadelli built her a car that will be very stable in the draft. I think that if she can stay out of trouble, and not cause any trouble, that a top 15 finish is not out of the question.

There you have it, my predictions for Daytona. No surprise to anyone I took Junior but I like his chances. Dark Horse is Ambrose and the tow trucks will need a full tank of gas.

Here’s to a great Daytona 500……………..U Want Some?

 Kurt Busch lost his job for the second time in his NASCAR career due to his actions and attitude off the track.  The fact that he lasted as long as he did at Penske is a surprise in itself. It is not a question of his talent, it is how he handles himself on and off the track that is.  Now he is not one of NASCAR’s “bad boys”, that title is for his little brother Kyle and Tony Stewart. 

Kurt has signed a one year deal with Phoenix Racing. This is an underfunded team that gets cars and engines from Hendrick Motorsports.  The #51 Chevy had some good runs last year with Landon Cassill behind the wheel.  I expect Kurt to win at least one race in 2012.  He could bring more sponsorship to the team with consistent runs, which would allow for more funding and a possible run to put the team in The Chase.  I know that is a stretch but Kurt has the talent and the car to get the job done.  There is also the chance of him landing a ride with a big team in 2013 if he runs well with the lower tier team of Phoenix Racing.  If he brings the success to Phoenix he could land more money and move Phoenix up the ladder allowing the team to compete with the larger teams.

   This gives Kurt a chance to go out and race just to race, his only goal is to win races. No worry about a championship run at the beginning of the season, He is basically in a no pressure situation. If he can keep his cool and control his actions I believe he can give Phoenix Racing some success while having fun this year.  I hate it for Landon but this is a good thing for Kurt.

On a positive note, the #51 has been fast in testing.

I like what I am seeing in the team with the addition of Kurt Busch.

See you at the finish line

Frank