Dale Jr Wins - NASCAR Rant

Dale Jr. wins at Daytona! I'm happy for Junior. The guy has worked hard to get back on top and been so close with a few second place finishes in recent years. He is a class act and I thought it was great he went around and hugged his crew before he did a victory lane interview. With Dale Jr. winning, and if he can win a few more times this season, NASCAR could see some resurgence... maybe.

Once upon a time I was a big NASCAR fan. And for a while on Sunday night watching the Daytona 500 I was again. I've been to several NASCAR events. I went to Michigan a few times, Atlanta, the Brickyard, Kansas, and Chicago. I loved Dale Earnhardt, and after his death the torch was passed on to Dale Jr. Then in 2003 NASCAR got in its own way by taking long standing traditions out of the sport in hopes of growing the sport, and it did grow for a short while, but it receded in a few short years.

Strong Knoxville 410 Field

The 410 Knoxville Championship Cup Series is shaping up to be a LEGEN…. wait for it…. DARY season with more talent and quality cars than ever before.  This isn’t my season preview, but here is what I know at this point, 59 days before the season opener.

Last year’s track champion Bronson Maeschen is back in his own #96 and already started his season in Florida with the WoO. Had a decent showing, and looked like he had a top five car on the last night there but crashed, thankfully not too much was torn up.

Ian Madsen will be very tough in the Nehring #18.  The second season for this team together should produce some wins.

Knoxville Announces Facility Expansion

The announcement today of the Knoxville Raceway expansion project is the tip of the iceberg of the facility improvements coming over the next few years. If you haven’t read the press release on the Knoxville Raceway website better read that now…. www.knoxvilleraceway.com

First of all, the Skate Pit will be replaced with a new building elsewhere on the grounds, or it could be part of the new building.  So don’t freak out Knoxville residents, it’s not going away.  The Skate Pit is a great place for families in the local area to enjoy, but this building was constructed in 1955 and it’s not exactly nice and pretty on the outside to welcome anyone walking into the “stadium” on race night, the fair, or any other event.  It’s an old building and a new skating rink facility will be a nice upgrade.  And a new entrance in general would be a nice upgrade.

2014 World of Outlaws Preview

The 2014 season is going to be a good one.  Can Daryn Pittman do it again?  Will Schatz overcome his struggles in qualifying and win the championship? Tim Kaeding played the role of the spoiler last year, but full-time this year, and it’s the King’s last run at the title.

It appears we have 15 teams attempting to run the full season, with a handful of teams competing about half of the schedule.  I’ve never looked forward to the start of a new season as much as this one.  So here is my 2014 WoO Preview!

The EA WoO pre-season power rankings: 1. Schatz, 2. Pittman, 3. Saldana, 4. McMahan, 5. Kaeding, 6. S. Kinser, 7. Swindell, 8. Madsen, 9. Sweet, 10. Sides, 11. Darrah, 12. K. Kinser, 13. Schuchart, 14. Rose, 15. Allen.   

Donny Schatz is my pick to win the championship.  23 wins last year, but 14 points shy of the championship.  I think we will see Donny and Ricky Warner figure out the qualifying point situation, and it’s their second year with the same tires and rules.  Schatz got off to a slow start in 2013, which cost him the championship in my opinion.  That won't happen in 2014.  I have a hunch this could be his best season yet.