He's locked in, so that's good. Speaking of the pit box selection, is it based on the qualifying times of the cars that get in, or the final lineup for the 500 (because positions 39-42 are set by the top non-locked qualifying times)? I just hope the race is a lot better than last year's commerical-fest. They ran more commericals than covering the race.
+1 The networks have to pay for that big TV package they signed with NASCAR. IIRC, it is the second biggest sports deal on network TV, next to the NFL's.
And for the first time since the upward swing of NASCAR, last years attendance and TV ratings were down. That's why this cheating scandal could have more of an impact. Happening before the start of a year with major changes. Happening to Toyota, part of the major change. And happening to Michael Waltrip, who certainly has the most TV time of any driver.
Damnit, he has a DNF. He was leading the second 150 race. His front right wheel gave up on him and had a flat. During the pit stop, the wheel bearing came off when they were changing tires and he's done. Edit: Interview: He says the bearing came off, not sure if it was from contact or just bound to happen. If the latter, glad it showed up in this 150 race vs. the 500. No contact between Kyle Busch and Montoya, which what was first believed to have been the cause. Commentators think the bearing just burned up on him. Damnit.
Wow, the 3rd to last lap was crazy. Some guy lost it a bit and was drifting around the corner a little at about 180mph. He got it straightened out fine because he lightly bounced off of two cars and was bumped from the car behind. How does the starting grid get figured other than starting row? Do they average your qualifying position from the weekend with your 150 mile race finish and give you the average and rank them in descending order?
I know, but jeez. It was insane for the Daytona 500. None of the other races were even close to Daytona for the time of green flag commericals.