2016 Daytona 500 - Less Grip - Mind Your Lip and Sinking Viewer Ship P

I guess I was watching the Daytona 500 on Sunday. I say guess due to not really seeing what I have been used to when it comes to the Race. I hardly saw any bump-drafting; I hardly saw any real racing that was done in the past with the Opening of the NASCAR season. Chase Elliot made the pole; I was a little melancholy about that, Gordon was the driver I rooted for, followed by Jimmy Johnson. The advertisement for the Duels must have escaped me, my son brought up the subject, due to me not being too enthused about it. I caught the replay after it was shown earlier. In the past, I was all about it, but it just did not have the oomph it used to.

New Year same result, Truex was strong but not strong enough. He will definitely have another strong season and possibly a title contender. The consistency being displayed showed last season was no fluke for a used to be a one car team and now has associations and technical assistance from Richard Childress Racing, Martin True Jr. More importantly, the story of his Significant Other’s fight with cancer the year prior has really showed the character of that guy. I was not that fond of him in the past, due to the fact that I was under the impression his backing came from the family very lucrative fishing business.

The racing was really lackluster at best, sad but true. Experienced drivers and seen has best in the field had troubles with just keeping it on the track in turn 3. It was seen as a obstacle in the Xinity race the day before as well.

Mind you all, I am not seeking carnage, I was just looking for bump drafting and with it some great passes etc, trading paint as they say. Whatever newer rules package they have instituted, Restrictor plate has produced a restricted race.

Sometimes it all comes down to the pits and tactical moves of differing strategies. Well, I think everyone got the memo, 2 tires and full tank when under green. Shit, that takes the 'pit fights' out of the picture. Now the stops are half of what they were, they get back to the track in a very organized pack just as they went in. BORING Back when they took 4 and attempted to get every drop in, it was a lot more intense to get back on the track.

There was a lot less just chilling in the back to the last 40 laps to avoid the ‘big-one’, but the racing was about 2/3 of the race was two lanes, the second lane was not that all race. I remember not too long ago, it was like two ‘freight trains’ going hard to just lead laps. Tony Stewart not being there, along with and now Gordon no longer racing, hell that is one good guy and one of the bad guys that really give NASCAR the ‘Drama’ and intense racing that got me excited for these guy of races.

One season it is ‘boys can be boys’ and then when that happens, the Execs at NASCAR say we will penalize, all the way up to kicking you of NASCAR if that reoccurs during the year. Can you imagine a great baller, football or basketball or baseball being threatened that they can get completely kicked out of not only the game, but the Leagues because into an altercation with an opponent? Nope, isn’t that the reason they are there, they are passionate, intense, professionals that get paid handsomely for what they have mastered.

The best part of a year ago was when Kevin Harvick pushed Keslowski into Jeff Gordon and they started throwing fists. What about the ongoing drama with Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth?

"We don't want perception that anything is, do as you see fit," Cassidy said. "We are so far from that today as a sport. It's a good thing for us. It's a good thing for our competitors and everyone involved and the fans to understand what's happening."

The new rules ban "premeditatedly removing another competitor from championship contention in a dangerous manner when not racing for position based on the available evidence and specific circumstances of the incident."

They have no clue that bump and running makes and it is the one of huge reasons that short track racing is so great to watch. Isn’t that the whole reason when it comes to the last laps, the bumping and temper are boiling and you know they are going to go all ‘balls out’ to get that next position or use the bumper to get the win!

"NASCAR offered a plate of potential penalties for a Martinsville-type repeat that include: a loss of 50-100 driver/owner points; $150,000-$200,000 fines, a two-race suspension, indefinite suspension or termination.

"We understand that and that there are points in time that competitors cross the line, and they should have a better understanding of what may transpire if it's determined they cross the line," Cassidy said. "(We have) the ability to look at the implications as it relates to where a competitor might be. As it relates to their run for the championship, their position in the Chase and ability to look at that and potential for the action depending on how egregious the nature of the action might be."

Attempting to manipulate the outcome of a race of championship — much like Michael Waltrip Racing tried in 2013 — could result in the loss of 25-50 championship points, $50,000-$100,000 fines, a one-race suspension, indefinite suspension or termination.

There are fines that range up to $50,000 for disparaging the sport or NASCAR's leadership and verbal abuse of NASCAR officials or media members.”

NASCAR could issue indefinite suspension or termination for public statements that disparage a person's race, color or sexual orientation.

NASCAR said it would like to see an "indication of genuine remorse or attempts to work things out with the other party in a civil manner."

Kevin Harvick was not penalized last season when he pushed Jimmie Johnson in the motorhome lot last season in the Chase opener at Chicagoland. (Duh of course not, he won the Championship the year before)

Why kill all of that, Jr. gets in trouble for saying ‘Shit’ on TV, seriously? Grow the hell up NASCAR, who the hell has not said “SHIT.” You can watch the most vile slime programs on your prime affiliate channels with blood, gore and torture, but you can’t say the “Shit” word.

Jeff Gordon was okay in his starting new role of race commentator, but it was not earth shaking. The ending was the closest in history, but if the threats and penalties etc. was not relayed, I think it would have been more like the not so old Nazca that I already missing. Safer is great and being more sportsmen like is as well, but if you take the ‘drama’ out what do you have left? I hope to be more excited come Atlanta next week.

The New Overtime Rule

In Overtime – Clean Restart

"After taking the green flag on an overtime restart, the leader must pass the overtime line before a potential caution flag were to come out for the attempt to be considered a clean restart. If there is a clean restart, it will be a valid green-white-checkered attempt.

If the caution flag comes before the leader passes the overtime line on the first lap under green, it is not considered a valid attempt. A subsequent attempt at a green-white-checkered restart would then occur; if necessary, multiple attempts will be made until there is a clean restart. Once a valid attempt (clean restart) happens, it is the only attempt at a green-white-checkered finish. If a caution flag occurs during a valid green-white-checkered attempt, that marks the end of the race. Vehicles would be scored as they cross the start/finish line under caution."

How Did The Millionaires Finish for the First Race of the 2016 NASCAR Season you make Ask =P

Finished Position

Car

Driver

Manufacturer

Starting Position

1 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota11278 Martin Truex Jr Toyota28318Kyle Busch Toyota444Kevin Harvick Chevrolet9519Carl Edwards Toyota10622Joey Logano Ford5742Kyle Larson Chevrolet1487Regan Smith Chevrolet2793Austin Dillon Chevrolet211041Kurt Busch Chevrolet81131Ryan Newman Chevrolet381243Aric Almirola Ford34135Kasey Kahne Chevrolet131420Matt Kenseth Toyota21559Michael McDowell Chevrolet391648Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet26171Jamie McMurray Chevrolet61827Paul Menard Chevrolet371921Ryan Blaney Ford7202Brad Keselowski Ford252147AJ Allmendinger Chevrolet302217Ricky Stenhouse Jr Ford192338Landon Cassill Ford242444Brian Scott Ford352595Ty Dillon Chevrolet122614Brian Vickers Chevrolet182746Michael Annett Chevrolet22286Trevor Bayne Ford232923David Ragan Toyota293083Michael Waltrip Toyota363132Bobby Labonte Ford333213Casey Mears Chevrolet323315Clint Bowyer Chevrolet313416Greg Biffle Ford153510Danica Patrick Chevrolet163688Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet33724Chase Elliott Chevrolet13826Robert Richardson Toyota403934

Chris Buescher

Ford174093Matt DiBenedettoToyota