Sorting Through the Debris Left from NASCAR Silly Season

So, it's only 13 days until the Daytona 500.  Do you even have a clue who is driving which car this year?  Even with extremely popular young drivers enjoying a year of media-driven frenzy behind them, it's not going to be a walk through the park to find your new favorite among the starting lineup on February 18th.

Here's a quick rundown of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars that have new pilots behind the wheel this year. We'll check up with familiar faces in their regular rides as the season goes on.

  Chase Elliot and the No. 9: Elliott took his entire No. 24 team and slapped a new badge on it to honor his father, Bill Elliott. We can expect to see Chase in Victory Lane this year--finally!

 Aric Almirola and the No. 10: After performing exceptionally well in the second-tier No. 43 team (for how many years?) Aric is finally getting his shot at the big time in the car vacated by Danica Patrick over at Stewart/Haas Racing. I totally expect more out of this machine under Almirola's guidance than she ever managed.

Ryan Blaney and the No. 12: While we all really wanted the Wood Bros. No. 21 to rise out of single-team mediocrity with this rising star, the fact is that economics will always drive a winning team.  So, Blaney is heading off to Penske to flesh out the Keselowski-Logano combination.

Erik Jones and the No. 20: A bit like the Blaney story, a lack of funding prevented the stable that won the 2017 Cup to continue to field a second team with possibly the most talented driver that has risen out of the developmental series in the last three years.  Over at Roush, Erik will have his chance to shine.

Paul Menard and the No. 21:  See, Blaney didn't have a sponsor. Menard comes to the Wood Bros. team with his family's bank account funding the season--well, 22 races. Why did they leave Childress? Who knows?...Who cares?  That might be why.

William Byron and the No. 24: This is the King in the chess game that Hendrick has been working toward for the past four years. Jeff Gordon's heir apparent--no, that really was NOT Chase--is stepping into the storied number for his rookie season. The cars and crew have been rebadged from the No. 5 garage. Hold your breath. This could get exciting.

Michael McDowell and the No. 34: Front Row Motorsports is still managing to bodge together enough funding, drivers, and crew to keep filling up the field. If you are a fan, it's one more year where you can get an autograph!

Bubba Wallace and the No. 43: Honestly, this is all serendipity.  Wallace brings an energy and intensity to the track that always translates to his aggressive style behind the wheel. He will be able to maintain the momentum Almirola has been building in this car while placing his own unique personality on the team.

Alex Bowman and the No. 88: While Bowman totally earned this ride after years of scrapping and scraping, he is stepping into a machine that is larger than life. Unfortunately if he doesn't make it to Victory Lane this year, there is a good chance he could slip back into anonymity once again. Bowman lacks the off-track showmanship other young guns possess that helps to leave them in the spotlight.

Kasey Kahne and the No. 95: He's still cute (even though he is 37) And all the girls can still find him at the track, just don't expect for a miracle.  That machine is still powered by guts and determination, but not much else.


NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:
Who do you think will make the most out of their new ride in the 2018 season?

Tweet out your answer and mention me @laregna
Find me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Author.SDGrady/
or Comment below.

The Daytona 500: A Timeless Celebration of Racing

The sun is shining bright. Hordes crowd the massive arena, cheering for their chosen hero. Colors sparkle. The thrum excitement beats in the hearts of all present. Bets have been placed on the outcome of the impending competition.  The guest of honor holds the flag as the entire field parades by.  The rumble of the wheels and cheering of the crowd drown out any mundane noises.

And then the flag flies. All eyes are glued to the drivers as they vie for the lead, crowding the next man into the outer wall or sending them bouncing to the infield.  There, a few select fans are going hoarse as the thrill of nearly touching the race as it flies by sends their hearts soaring. The thunder encompasses body and mind.

On the track, longtime rivals size up the other's horses. Will this be the year? Is it possible to overcome, beat the odds and stun the world's largest coliseum into silence? For only then will they truly be righteous in the knowledge that they are the chosen one, faster than no other. Better than expected.

The evil one comes too close, rubbing wheels. Others jump and wobble in front of them. The Big One is on. Machines shred and flip. That longed for silence does arrive, but not for the reasons desired. First responders hurry to the injured and pinned. Debris is cleared from the field. The stands take a sigh of relief. The betting continues.

And the race goes on.

The laps wind down. There are fewer left. It is now between just two or three. Somehow the noise has not lessened, but only increased. The fervor of the fans, the teams and those who sit in judgment rises. The end draws near.

Who will take home the greatest prize of all time?

That is the question, is it not? Who will win The Great American Race this upcoming Sunday?  And why do we call it that?

Somehow, even though many a NASCAR fan has become jaded and worn, even though we are easily angered by the pointless loss of machinery during the massive plate wrecks, and although the tangle of rules applies no place else but for this particular race, the pageantry of Daytona will suck us in.

The Daytona 500 is the defining moment of stock car racing for the entire year. Like moths to flames, racing fans will be unable to look away. Ultimately, it will matter to us who will wreck, who will fall and who will win.

I can already hear the trumpets sounding the opening of Race Day.  And it will be a wonderful season.

Author's Note: It's funny where inspiration finds us. I caught the chariot race in Ben Hur late at night and decided it wasn't all that different from Daytona.  What do you think?

You can find more NASCAR musings by S.D. Grady every Tuesday in the Frontstretch Newsletter. Sign up to receive daily news and commentary from the best independent NASCAR site.