The New Crop Of Rookies Invades Chicagoland Speedway

Here you are, a young up and coming driver facing the biggest race of your entire career. So many times as you were growing up, you waited for the day when you would enter through those magical gates with a sign that reads, “Competitors only!"

As your heart begins to race faster and faster, you begin to realize that you have finally reached the world of the unknown. A world that you have worked so hard for, and at times it seemed so far away.

Only in your wildest dreams could you ever imagine that the scene itself would someday become so surreal, as stepping foot into your very own dreams. You begin to realize that the cockpit of that sleek, ultra fast racing machine will be your own private domain for the entire weekend.

It is there, that you and reality will become one with each other, and that all of your wildest fantasies will come to life right before your very eyes.

As you make your way down the asphalt pathway that leads you straight to your garage area, your mind goes into a frenzy knowing that you have reached the point of no return.

As your adrenaline begins to rush through your entire body, it is then that you realize that this is no place for weak at heart knowing that all the big name drivers have already walked those same steps that you are about to embark on.

The butterflies that so many talk about, but few ever get the chance to come in contact with have already started to look for their first chance to enter your energetic, and emotion filled body.

Just the very thought that anytime soon, some of the sports most craftiest veterans along with some of the most promising up and comers will be sharing the same spot of real estate, as each rookie gets ready to do battle on the 1.5 mile asphalt jungle known as Chicagoland Speedway.

Just the name alone is enough to shake away any cobwebs, or uncertain feelings that they may have before they even get a chance to take their first lap around this mighty beast.

The long wait is finally over; it’s now time to climb into the maze of twisted steel that will be his fortress for the next 3 days.

The look in his eyes tells the whole story that is about to unfold because in a few moments, all of your trust will be put the test as your crew faithfully puts in all the hard work, and the time in to make sure that you have the fastest office on wheels that the speedway has ever seen.

Its now time to mash the pedal, and drive that machine for all its worth as these young drivers begin their quest to become the next David, trying to slay the mighty Goliaths that they will be facing.

The last time that any rookie was able to put this beast in check, you have to go back to the tracks inaugural race in 2001, and that’s when RCR driver Kevin Harvick put this mini-giant into a submission hold that has yet to be duplicated.

So as the fight continues for the Raybestos Rookie of the year award, you have to wonder what exactly is going through the minds of Joey Logano who just won his first Sprint cup race on June 28th at Loudon, and Scott Speed who’s best finish so far is a fifth at Talladega on April 26th, 2009.

So as the rookie of the year contenders get ready to buckle themselves in, for what will another stepping stone of their young and budding careers.

You have to wonder what exactly is going through their minds, as they enter into another world that is not very familiar to them.

Each week will continue be a new adventure, and also a new test as they continue to encounter different obstacles as they make their way around the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Who will reign supreme and walk away at the end of the season with the hardware, and the right to say that they were the best rookie for the 2009 season?

All we can do as fans is sit back, and wait for the end of the season just like them, and continue to support the new crop of driver that has already made their way into the most exciting racing series that this generation has ever seen.

I'm Out.