Honestly, this year’s Speedweeks in Daytona had everything a race fan could anticipate. There was a lot of hype, some unexpected twists, a lot of intense action, and in the end a familiar face in victory lane.
But before getting into the big race, I need to take a moment in this column to send out some very big well wishes. As with any sport, fans are what make it great. NASCAR fans are so dedicated, so honored, and such a big part of the sport that drivers, announcers and anyone involved in the NASCAR family takes the time to thank them. On Saturday, at the end of the Nationwide race, some of those fans had a frightening reality that even they, under the right circumstances, aren’t always safe.
The wreck right at the finish saw Kyle Larson’s car tear in half like one would take the lid off a can of Campbell’s soup, and went airborne into the catch fence that keeps the cars on the track. It did its job, the problem became that parts went through the fence, and even over it. Video saw a tire land about nine rows up, and with a steel rim, it did damage.
Other fans were wheeled away on stretchers, some with cuts and scrapes, others with burns, and some with major injuries. In all, 28 fans had to be taken to either the care center or the local Halifax hospital, just a short drive from the track.
Eventual winner, Tony Stewart, simply didn’t want to go to victory lane. He had to to take required photos, but there was no joy in his voice, no happiness. His focus was the front straightaway, because the big story was in the stands, and he had his mind somewhere else. Sure, he won, but he could’ve cared less about the trophy, because the focus was on the fans.
The fence was repaired for the Daytona 500, but the real key news was that the 28 fans that were injured, 14 were treated and released the previous day, with 12 more set for release on Sunday. The two remaining, one child and one adult who had to go into surgery due to head trauma, were kept under doctor’s care for another night, but were in stable condition.
I’ve never seen a wreck like that, and hopefully don’t have to see another. But just wanted to take a moment to send my well wishes to those that did get hurt this past Saturday, as well as to their families. We are all part of the NASCAR family, and we all suffer when fans get hurt.
Now, onto the big race. It was a historic Daytona 500 to say the least. The debut of the new Generation-6 car was here, for the first time a lady was bringing the field to green, and the start to a new season had arrived. But, in the end, it was a familiar face in victory lane.
A year ago, his season ended with a blown rear gear. This year, that same driver began his quest to get another title the best way possible. Jimmie Johnson won his first Daytona 500 back in 2006, and that season he would go on and win the first of his five Sprint Cup titles. It could be the case of deja vu, but it’s hard to doubt he already has the favored card to win, especially since the media picked him over defending champion Brad Keselowski.
But now, the spectacle of Daytona is over. A lot of drivers, and teams alike, believe the season kicks off the following week since Daytona in itself is a big event. Well, the season is off and running. Let’s see where 2013 leads all of us.
RESULTS: 1-Johnson 2-Earnhardt Jr. 3-Martin 4-Keselowski 5-Newman 6-Biffle 7-Smith 8-Patrick 9-McDowell 10-Yeley
NOTABLE FINISHES: 14-Hamlin 20-Gordon 34-Edwards 36-Kahne 41-Stewart 42-Harvick
CAUTIONS: 6 for 24 laps. Lap 8-30 (Debris), 34-36 (#1, 2, 5, 13, 14, 18, 29, 42, 78 accident: Tri-Oval), 86-89 (Debris), 138-146 (#2, 17, 21, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 99 accident: Turn 1), 178-181 (#31 accident: Tri-Oval), 193-194 (Debris).
LEAD CHANGES: 28 among 14 drivers. Patrick POLE, Gordon 1-31, Johnson 32-36, Kenseth 37-39, Bowyer 40, Kenseth 41-71, Menard 42, Newman 73-74, Waltrip 75, Newman 76, Hamlin 77-85, Kvapil 86, Waltrip 87-89, Patrick 90-91, Hamlin 92, Kenseth 93-126, Patrick 127-129, Logano 130-131, Kenseth 132-149, Hamlin 150-172, Smith 173, Keselowski 174-176, Speed 177-178, Keselowski 179-185, Johnson 186, Keselowski 187, Johnson 188, Keselowski 189-190, Johnson 191-200.
TIME OF RACE: 3 Hrs, 8 Mins, 23 Secs.
AVERAGE SPEED: 159.250 MPH
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.129 Seconds
POINTS: 1. Johnson, 47 points; 2. Earnhardt Jr, -5; 3. Martin, -6; 4. Keselowski, -6; 5. Newman, -7; 6. Biffle, -9; 7. Patrick, -10; 8. McDowell, -12; 9. Yeley, -13; 10. Bowyer, -13; 11. Stenhouse, -15; Almirola, -16.