NASCAR 2006 Underway!, February 12, 2006

For only the 4th time in the races history, a first time participant has won the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. With the help of teammate Tony Stewart and fellow Shootout competitors Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, 2006 Rookie of the Year contender Denny Hamlin took the #11 Fed Ex Monte Carlo to victory lane in the Bud Shootout. The win was Hamlin's first cup win and his first restrictor plate race. Not bad rookie!

Qualifying for next weeks Daytona 500 also took place today with Jeff Burton in the #31 Cingular Chevorlet grabbing the pole posistion for the Great American Race and Jeff Gordon turned in the second best qualifying time to snag the number two starting spot.

BUT WAIT!!!!!

After the completion of the Shootout, NASCAR inspectors DQ'd Jimmie Johnson's earlier qualifying run and announced they were looking at several drivers for rules infractions. Those drivers included both Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon. So as it stands at this moment we might not know who the pole sitter is. Thus the drama begins. I guess it's appropriate that a lot of the Speedweeks activities are being broadcast on TNT........after all they're the ones who always say...."We know Drama."

No matter what happens with Burtons qualifying run, since his arrival at Richard Childress Racing, the Cingular Wireless team has been able to turn their fortunes around bringing RCR back to the forefront among NASCAR teams.

Another team on the verge of resurrection is Petty Enterprises. With the addition of Bobby Labonte behind the wheel of the #43 Cheerios Dodge and Todd Parrott as crew chief, big things could be on the horizon for King Richard. Today the turned in the 6th fastest time in their attempt to qualify for the "Big Show" next weekend. Look for huge improvments this season at Petty Enterprises.

Another of my personal favorites looking to have a breakout season is the 01 US Army team and driver Joe Nemecheck. With the US Army as their primary sponsor, Nemecheck and his teammates are always a big hit with servicemembers around the world. With a little luck and some sharp driving......Joe and friends can make all us vets proud this season.

Finally, for those of you interested, the twin Gatorade 150's will be on TNT on Thursday afternoon (east coast) or morning on the west coast.

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(originally posted 2-12-06 on Yahoo 360)