The NBC coverage is underway and my mute button is getting a workout. Some of the folks I was relieved to not see have turned up – like Rutledge Wood and Dale Jarrett. Sigh. I caught a few minutes of the Cup practice. Rick Allen, Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton didn’t require the mute button. The Xfinity practice has been a different story so far. Dave Burns, Petty Kyle and Dale Jarrett. Seriously? Yuck! There’s a girl, Kelli, on doing interviews who seems to be doing a good job. I hope she’s a bright spot. It’s early in my watching of the coverage though, so we’ll see how the weekend progresses.
Keselowski caused a big wreck in practice collecting three-fourths of the Gibbs team, before continuing on unscathed. Of course, according to him, it was everybody’s fault but his. Looks like he’s working toward another end of the season beating.
So, I was watching an episode of Frontline and didn’t think about the race. That’s not a good sign. So I turn to the NBC station and hear Petty Kyle’s voice – another really bad sign. Looks like they’ve taken the name Countdown to Green. TNT isn’t using it anymore. Mute is on until I see someone with a clue. This is a less than positive start to the NBC era.
It’s still raining in Daytona. So far they haven’t called the race at 7:56pm, but the guys on the radio are saying there’s a lot of rain in the area and it will be a while before it moves out. There’s supposedly dry air behind the rain, but we have to get the rain out.
There’s a new aero package that will be used in Kentucky and the drivers are supposed to do a bit of testing on Wednesday before the race in Kentucky, so they were headed there early. The truck series race is on Thursday night, with practice on Wednesday.
Well at 9pm at least I’m seeing Rick Allen, Steve Letarte, and Jeff Burton instead of the earlier losers. It’s still raining though. So they’re on hold for at least another hour. The weather forecasters say the rain should be out of there by 10:30 and there isn’t a local curfew at the track so we’re still on weather delay.
Ward and Jeb Burton are talking to Rick, Jeff and Letarte. Nice family gimmick. Jeb says that the rain has just picked up again. MRN will be back on-air at 10pm with an update of some sort. Jeff mentioned a middle brother, Brian. There were quite a few dumb questions asked – questions like Jeff were you proud of your big brother Ward? Seriously, what do you expect him to say while they’re talking to Ward? Jeb, with your father being a Daytona 500 winner and your uncle a race winner, do you feel any pressure? They’ll need to work on their rain-delay chatter/questions.
MRN is back on-air. A light rain is continuing to fall. The radar seems to indicate they’re at the tail-end of the rain. There are 20 air titans and 10 jet dryers working on the drying process. It’s a humid night and no wind blowing. They say NASCAR has every intention of getting the race in tonight. MRN will be back in 30 minutes with a better idea of the potential time schedule.
At 11:05pm drivers have been called to their cars. The green flag is expected about midnight after a more than 3 hour rain delay.
The first wreck occurs on lap 4 of 160 and includes Joey Logano, Danica Patrick, David Gilliland, Jeb Burton, Bobby Labonte, Michael Annett, Brendan Gaughan, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, and Sam Hornish Jr. David Gilliland tried to drop down to the lower line in front of Clint Bowyer, but didn’t have enough room and turned around.
Kyle Busch hits the wall on lap 17, but keeps going – not bringing out the caution. He heads to pit road as the field keeps rolling.
There will be a competition caution on lap 25.
I give up. Sleep wins. They need to consider fans’ work schedules when scheduling Sunday night races.
In NASCAR news this week:
- NASCAR tracks unite, ask fans not to fly Confederate flag.
- Daytona offers American flags in exchange program.
- Statement from NASCAR Industry Members.
- NASCAR TV Drama Series in Development.
- Rainbow Car Returns for Gordon.
- Bowman to Remain with TBR.
- Accident Forces Many to Backup Cars.
- Daytona adds soft walls, more asphalt after Busch’s crash.
- Kyle Busch joins Little Rappers in release of June highlight video.
- Wheels Of ‘Fortune’: NASCAR sees Fortune 500 involvement increase.
- ISC Statement on Safety .
- Byrnes Named Fifth Squier-Hall Award Recipient.
- Weather Cancels Daytona Qualifying.
- NASCAR distances itself from Donald Trump after remarks.
- NASCAR driver Kyle Busch wants grass removed from tracks.
- Statement on passing of Mary Scott.
- Happy Hour: The Confederate flag and television coverage.
- Golfer Watson to paint over Confederate flag on ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ car.