Matt McLaughlin’s Thinkin’ Out Loud: 2011 Daytona 500 Race Recap
They said with the new surface and rules, this Daytona 500 was going to be unpredictable. Well, it was all that and then some.
Matt joined Frontstretch in 2007 after a decade of race-writing, paired with the first generation of racing internet sites like RaceComm and Racing One. Now semi-retired, he submits occasional special features while his retrospectives on drivers like Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, and other fallen NASCAR legends pop up every summer on Frontstretch. A motorcycle nut, look for the closest open road near you and you can catch him on the Harley during those bright, summer days in his beloved Pennsylvania.
They said with the new surface and rules, this Daytona 500 was going to be unpredictable. Well, it was all that and then some.
Stick glue up each nostril, inhale deeply and come up with the most ridiculous set of rules you can. NASCAR’s actual Daytona 500 qualifying is more insane.
If NASCAR folks didn’t know that speeds with the new cars and surface were going to be north of 200 mph at Daytona, they must have been partying with JC France.
The 2011 NASCAR Cup Series season hasn’t even started yet and I’m already throwing my hands in the air in frustration.
Right down until the final race of the season, Denny Hamlin was a strong competitor for this year’s Cup title.
Jeff Gordon could easily have won four or five races this season.
When Martin Truex Jr. fell off the pace at Homestead, Carl Edwards lost the only competition that could keep him honest and drove on to an easy win.
Three drivers: Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick arrive at Homestead this weekend with a shot at the 2010 NASCAR Cup title.
With 47 laps left, Carl Edwards passed Denny Hamlin to take a lead he’d never relinquish at Phoenix.
Yes, genuine emotion still has a place in sponsor-driven NASCAR and it’s been sadly lacking for years.