The NASCAR season started under the lights at Daytona International Speedway with the running of the Budweiser Shootout. The woman that sang the National Anthem had a finicky sound system to deal with but the fans made it cool and exciting by singing along with her when the microphone went out temporarily. Someone fixed it and she was able to go on uninterrupted. It goes to show how cool NASCAR fans are and how we stick together to make the event fun.
Defending Nextel Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson is starting his season off with a quest for something that has NEVER been done. No one has won the championship four times in a row. He is in the hunt to do just that. Big name drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ran neck and neck throughout the race. Dale Jr’s car was loose throughout the race and was responsible for the wreck that dashed his hopes of winning the Budweiser Shootout.
One of my favorite drivers, Mark Martin, is back for a full schedule this year. I look forward to good things from him. Bill Elliot is reportedly making a comeback as well. Tony Stewart is expanding his team and Richard Petty has a new driver and his major sponsor is McDonald’s.
The race ended on a caution as Kevin Harvick put the pedal to the metal and propelled himself to the front and never looked back as his fellow racers crashed behind him. It was a wild finish at the end.
NASCAR qualifying for the Daytona 500 is tomorrow. The Daytona 500 is set to run on February 15, 2009.
Yours in NASCAR news,
Joseph R. Mays
PS. In reply to Karman, the singer was Sister Hazel.
PS1. 2009 NASCAR Nextel Cup Racing Schedule
1 response so far ↓
Karman // February 9, 2009 at 7:33 am
Who was the singer of the anthem on Saturday?