By Mark Young
The haulers are on their way from North Carolina headed West to Arizona. Not very news worthy in light of all the fanfare and attention Daytona got over the past two weeks but it is a signal that the real opening race of the 2014 season is upon us. Daytona is the biggest race of the year, it should be, it deserves to be. But with Daytona comes so many things that are beyond the driver's control. Phoenix is where the big boys are separated from the wanna be's and has beens.
There is no disrespect intended with that statement, its the truth. There is a LOT of luck that goes into plate racing. That is why Terry LaBonte, Brian Scott, and Landon Cassill finished where they did. From here on out these guys have got to give 110% because a win should guarantee a spot in the Chase.
This weekend is the true opening weekend. The new driver/crew chief combinations, the new chassis setups, the new aero package, it all will show us what works and what doesn't beginning this weekend.
Time to pull up your britches and drive.
Phoenix is one of two or three tracks that I like to use the ole cliche phrase, "seperating men from boys" in regards to. This track will make or break a driver/crew chief combo. Every element of NASCAR racing goes into these types of tracks. The drivers must have skill, patience, and my new made up phrase, "race-maturity" for. Without that on-track maturity, this track can crush a driver's ego and confidence. It can make them look really unworthy of being in CUP. They tend to resemble Jimmie Johnson in a Nationwide race. In addition, the crew chief has to be on target with set-up, pit strategy, and even that old gut feeling. Don't forget the guys in the pits either. Pit stops can make or break it for a team. A great pit, puts a car in position to win. A bad one, take them out of contention. There is no draft at Phoenix to make up time and lost track position. It is game on from the green to the checkers. And I can''t flipping WAIT.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like Daytona , this is where the real racing starts.
ReplyDelete