MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Florida Speedweeks are in the books and another racing season has begun.
Many interesting things took place during two weeks of action at Florida’s short tracks and at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Some were unexpected, while others were as predictable as the sun coming up in the morning.
– Every year we mention the ridiculous waste that has become NASCAR Cup Series racing at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Millions of dollars are literally flushed down the toilet as car after car after car gets wrecked. And this year, it was worse with the devastating crash and injuries suffered by Ryan Newman in a wild finish to the Daytona 500.
The irony wasn’t lost on us when it was announced the Daytona 500 would pay a record $23.6 million purse. We bet that hardly covered the costs.
With Newman’s story making headlines around the world, one can only hope change is on the way and NASCAR and Race Team Alliance officials will work together to find a solution to end this dangerous brand of racing at Daytona and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
But maybe it’s all the crashing that sells tickets as the 500 was sold out for the fifth straight year.
– Crowds were huge at short tracks all over the state of Florida. On Saturday night during the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ three-night stand at Volusia Speedway Park, the parking lots were filled to capacity. Late arrivals were directed to park at the campground and were then shuttled back and forth to the track.
This happened as more seats were available thanks to a new grandstand that was erected during the winter months at the half-mile dirt track.
– Brad Sweet and the Kasey Kahne Racing team lost nothing during the winter months. The reigning World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion won twice in five nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park.
– Gio Scelzi won a feature during Speedweeks, but it came in an asphalt late model at New Smyrna Speedway.
– Speaking of New Smyrna, the ARCA Menards Series East season kicked off at the half-mile track before a huge crowd, with 23 cars taking the green flag. In its final season under the NASCAR banner last year, the series’ car count floundered in the mid-teens. Could this be the first sign the merger between ARCA and NASCAR and the rule changes to allow numerous car styles will revitalize the series, which flourished when known as the Busch North Series.
– It may be difficult to believe, but it appears reigning World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series champion Brandon Sheppard may have gotten better over the winter.
Sheppard left Florida with five victories in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, World of Outlaws and UMP competition, and the point lead in both the WoO and Lucas late model divisions. That was all aboard Mark Richards’ familiar No. 1 Rocket house car.
In January, Sheppard won the Wild West ShootÂout title and three features driving his family-owned No. b5 late model. That’s eight victories through the first six weeks of the season.
– Sheppard’s performance overshadowed fellow late model aces Jimmy Owens, who won three straight World of Outlaws late model features at Volusia Speedway Park, and Tim McCreadie, who won three times in a two-week span.
– Seventeen Daytona 500 winners were on hand for the 62nd Great American Race at Daytona Int’l Speedway, including seven who were competing. That got us thinking, and we were surprised to discover there are 28 living Daytona 500 winners.
For those wondering, our homework revealed there are 30 living Indianapolis 500 winners. As well, the last nine Indianapolis 500s have been won by nine different drivers.
– The best story of Speedweeks at Daytona was Jordan Anderson finishing second in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor & RV Truck Series race — mere inches behind winner Grant Enfinger.
A former Legend Car racer, Anderson is one of the true low-budget independents of this era.
– We sure miss the Daytona 500’s traditional noon starting time. Oh, and don’t get us started talking about the Daytona Duels.
– It will be interesting to see what comes of the Florida Speedweek short-track scene a few years down the line. Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala has financial problems and opened only for USAC races this February and East Bay Raceway Park near Tampa has only a few years (2024) left before becoming part of an adjacent industrial park.
– Congratulations to old friend Roger Slack, who is the promoter at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, for winning the Auto Racing Promoter of the Year award.