The more things change, the more they stay the same. Unpredictability is nothing new for the 2.5 mile tri-oval known as the Daytona International Speedway. This year the unpredictability factor will be increased exponentially. How will the new rule’s package affect the race? Will we see any issues with the new EFI fuel-system? How will all the new driver, team, and crew chief combinations collaborate in their first points race? Will we see pack or tandem racing? How about a combination of both? We may get a little insight during SpeedWeeks leading up to the Daytona 500 but for now, my takes:
As spectators we won’t notice any difference resulting from the switch to the EFI fuel-system. Simply, the fuel-delivery system becomes electronic instead of mechanical. We will not see guys under the hood working on the carburetor any longer, those duties will now belong to an engineer(s) sitting at a lap top. Just like everything else in NASCAR, teams will be doing everything they can to gain some sort of advantage over the competition.
A few of the notable drivers joining new teams includes: Kahne to HMS, Bowyer to MWR, Allmendinger to Penske, and Ku. Busch to Phoenix. A who’s who list of NASCAR drivers will also have new crew chiefs for the 2012 season including: Harvick, Stewart, Hamlin, Montoya, Burton, Bowyer, Logano, and Allmendinger. Continuity is an advantage in this sport, these teams will be working hard to over come the obstacle created from not having any entering the 2012 season. How much of a factor these changes will have depends heavily on how quickly a good rapport is developed between the new personnel. A win at the Daytona 500 would certainly start that promptly.
I believe most of the Daytona 500 will be raced in a pack until we reach the concluding stages. The two-car tandem is highly dependent upon the ambient temperature due to the overheating issues. With cooler temperatures at night, we may see a little more of the tandem racing during the shootout than we will in the 500. “I believe 95 percent of the race will be the traditional big-pack racing. At the end, though, I believe we’ll still see the two-car drafts … because it’s faster” – Jeff Gordon. You can bet if there is a late caution drivers will be looking for a dance partner.
Restrictor-Plate racing has always been a nightmare for the Fantasy NASCAR world. Often making fantasy selections for these particular tracks is compared to throwing darts. Success on these tracks is more dependent upon luck than any other type of track on the schedule. Practice speeds, average lap times, and loop-data in general are essentially irrelevant to how the race will unfold (which sucks since this data is the core of my articles). There are exceptions to every rule, certain drivers whom seem to have “it” at plate tracks in this scenario. Whether “it” is having the knack to avoid trouble, or if “it” is just being damn lucky isn’t my call to make. We won’t dig too deep into the data this week, but we will take a look at some general stats from recent Daytona races to get our season started.
No matter who you select, don’t be surprised if they all get wiped out in the big wreck. NASCAR is finally back. Sit back, enjoy a few cold beverages, and hope you have a few survivors remaining from your team when the checkered flag is waved. Be sure to check out our forum, articles, expert picks, and pre-race chats all season long.
(I apologize If I sent you to a flash back of your 2011 Daytona 500 Fantasy
Team)
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Tags: Daytona, daytona 500, Daytona 500 preview, fantasy nascar, NASCAR