The Hype Of Daytona Is Over, Time to Concentrate On Racing

 With Daytona becoming a surprisingly quick, almost surreal memory, I came to realize that, as one BR writer put it, "one race does not a season make". Not that I was ready to hand the Sprint Cup to anyone in particular, but with the amount of press Dale Jr. and his #88 team received, you would think the season had just ended.

 In this writers opinon, the NASCAR season begins with this weekends 500 miler at California's AutoClub Speedway. The real grind begins today. Teams no longer have two months to build a racecar. Performance has to show up week in and week out. Teams need to step up if they want to stay ahead of their competition.

 Sure everyone is going to be gunning for Jimmie Johnson and his #48 team. Sure he had troubles at Daytona, but is he finished for the year ? Not likely. Is Jr. going to run up front all year long ? Not likely. Is Carl Edwards going to go winless again ? Not likely.

  Daytona is one exciting place to be. It must be even more exciting to be crowned 'Champion'. Jamie McMurray did back up his '500' win with a Pole, and it does seem EGR has found something that was missing. I just hope todays race isn't a sleeper like last years.

 NASCAR needs an exciting race to make up for last weekends pothole fiasco. To me the delays for the repair didn't seem that long, but I was in Daytona. Talking with race fans about racing makes time quickly pass. My friends watching on TV told me they tuned out and some even didn't see the end of the race.

 Racing season begins today. Buckle in gang 'cause I think it could be another good season. Will it be a turn around season for those who need it, let's hope so. Will there be surprises and disappointments as well ? Again, let's hope so. Is anyone going to be able to knock the #48 team of the mountain ? In my opinion, NASCAR hopes so.

 I'm excited to be a fan of this sport. I hope the season brings the excitement of the '500'. Let the real season begin.

BW