Dale-tona 500

by M.L. Morgan

Well, race fans - I stole that title from my dear friend who writes the Lighter Side of NASCAR and does a great newsletter. I thought it was great.

Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500. His team has spent a fortune trying to win this race.

It takes more than money to win the Daytona 500. Maybe it takes 20 years of dedication. Maybe it takes a driver who refuses to give up.

Earnhardt has had some lean times (by his standards). 59-races without winning one. I wonder what Michael Waltrip feels like - 363 races without ever winning one. What I really wonder about is why he even has a ride.

I won’t digress from Earnhardt’s victory. He drove like a man possessed and dominated the race. He’s got the widest rear bumper in all of Winston Cup Racing. Lot’s of wannabes are crying because the race ended under yellow-flag but even if the race had gone another hour no one would have passed him.

The salute his fellow racers gave Earnhardt on his way to victory circle was a tribute to what Dale Earnhardt has done for the business of Winston Cup Racing. The fans’ love/hate relationship with Earnhardt was ignored. His fellow competitors showed us all what they think of Dale Earnhardt.

I agree with them. He’s had a storied career in Winston Cup, but he’s never ignored a young driver who needed a hand. On Sunday he was told “Thanks”.

I got a great e-mail this week from a race fan named Jeff Kaps. He has a little problem with the CBS coverage of Speedweek, and so do I. This is total b.s. Who wants to see the Twin 125's 3 days after they are run ? That’s criminal.

I would print his letter in it’s entirety but I don’t think that would be a good idea. While I happen to agree with everything Jeff has said, I can’t open up the flood gates.

A great, absolute ‘must-read piece’ is on iRace. Gene Granger has finally acquiesced to do a page for iRace which chronicles his many years of reporting about Nascar. This man has been there and done that.

Next week we’ll get a chance to see how the new spoiler/air dam rules will affect the race. I’m very optimistic these changes will enhance the race, unlike what restrictor plates do. From the performances at the Daytona 500 it would appear the Fords and the GM’s match up pretty well. Sunday, we’ll get a good idea of what the aerodynamic changes have done.

Have comments or questions? E-mail: M.L. Morgan

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