2026 NASCAR Season

[Westheim]

Daytona 500 today! - ...well, weather permitting. They're already moving the start time around.

And we already have the first facepaw moment of the year as Anthony Alfredo was disqualified from his Duel race for a lose hose in the car, and since he's an "open" entry, was kicked out again after initially qualifying for the 500. Instead, B.J. McLeod and the #78 moved into the field.

Jimmie Johnson got the revived-at-NASCAR's-leisure "past champion's provisional" for the 41st car in the field, and also announced that *next* year's Daytona 500 would be his final Cup start, for real though this time.

[Jordan]

Will be watching Daytona for the first time in yearrrrrrssssss. Wonder if it will be someone I've seen race before that wins (as a lapsed fan), or someone new to me?

[TheNatureBoi]

I'm hoping one of the RFK guys gets the win. Good underdog bet value.

[Westheim]

That final lap was something else

Reddick and 23XI take home the big pot.

I am shocked that Byron suddenly showed up in the front at the end, but he got out of shape on the first of three separate wrecks on the last lap, and that was that.

[TheNatureBoi]

What a finish! McDowell had a shot, Elliott had a shot, Reddick got it done.
Hocevar always makes things interesting when hes racing for the lead at the end of a race.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I am shocked that Byron suddenly showed up in the front at the end, but he got out of shape on the first of three separate wrecks on the last lap, and that was that.

I'm not. Byron always seems to show up at the end of restrictor plate races and ends up in the mix. I don't know how he does it. It's like he's in a chameleon car or something.

[Westheim]

Thanks Austin Cindric, for being useless at best and smashing four times into Byron's car for no discernible reason to cut down a tire at worst.

Also, I have finally decided that I did not need Carson Hocevar on top in a series that already has Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano to intentionally wreck people on the penultimate lap. What a power tool.

[Westheim]

Congratulations Tyler Reddick for becoming the first driver to win the first three Cup races of a season.

Eat your heart out, Richard Petty

[TheNatureBoi]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I did not need Carson Hocevar on top in a series that already has Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano to intentionally wreck people on the penultimate lap. What a power tool.

I'm glad someone else sees it. Like maybe he will be good at some point, but he needs to go back to the O'Reilly Series until he can figure out how not to ruin a race while in the top 5

[TheNatureBoi]

Who yall got at Phoenix?

[Westheim]

Phoenix is so not a Byron track (the wounds are still hurting), so for all I care Reddick can make it four in a row.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Jimmie Johnson got the revived-at-NASCAR's-leisure "past champion's provisional" for the 41st car in the field, and also announced that *next* year's Daytona 500 would be his final Cup start, for real though this time.

I just don't understand Jimmie's path, and what he's been trying to accomplish since leaving the Cup series as fulltime driver. He's in rare air as one of the all-time NASCAR greats, but has been floundering since. I get that he's trying to build his team, the successor to Petty Enterprises. But that team is a perpetual back-ender, regardless of who's behind the wheel and has no real prospects for improvement. I'd think he'd get more satisfaction having a team in the O'Reilly or Craftsman series, or doing dirt tracks & the like...

Originally Posted by Westheim

Also, I have finally decided that I did not need Carson Hocevar on top in a series that already has Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano to intentionally wreck people on the penultimate lap. What a power tool.

How did you manage to leave Kyle Busch out of this group? And Denny Hamlin only differentiates himself from this group in that he wins races... And I guess there's a fine line between knucklehead and cheap-shot artist...

Originally Posted by Westheim

Congratulations Tyler Reddick for becoming the first driver to win the first three Cup races of a season.

A truly amazing feat. And wasn't his Atlanta win without a right front fender? I mean, that's a minor inconvenience at Bristol, Martinsville, or on a road course. But at Atlanta, where aerodynamics may not be as crucial as with a restrictor plate race, but are still very important? Wow!!!

I'm already getting sick of seeing Michael Jordan, though... Bringing back unwelcome flashbacks of the 90's... different sport...

Originally Posted by Westheim

Phoenix is so not a Byron track (the wounds are still hurting), so for all I care Reddick can make it four in a row.

A bit of a slow start to the season for all of the Hendrick drivers. Really bad luck for Bowman, while the other three have been in the decent-but-unspectacular category... JGR is pretty much in the same boat. But then when the same dude wins the first three races, no other team has much to crow about

Overall, the Hendrick drivers run well at Phx - including Byron with some strong finishes despite *also* experiencing bad luck. So this Sunday is a chance for HMS to get a win and maybe some add'l top finishes. We shall see...

[Westheim]

Joey Logano remains the scum of the earth.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Joey Logano remains the scum of the earth.

Hah-hah. ********.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Joey Logano remains the scum of the earth.

Complete bonehead

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I have finally decided that I did not need Carson Hocevar on top in a series that already has Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano to intentionally wreck people on the penultimate lap. What a power tool.

Just a little rubbin', son. Rubbin's racin'.

Originally Posted by thehef

How did you manage to leave Kyle Busch out of this group? And Denny Hamlin only differentiates himself from this group in that he wins races... And I guess there's a fine line between knucklehead and cheap-shot artist...

Most of the time it's whether someone's a fan of that driver or not.

And Hamlin's more of a whiner than a wrecker. Personally, I love a few kamikaze type drivers like Hocevar and Chastain in the mix.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Joey Logano remains the scum of the earth.

In other news:

- Water is still wet.

- The Pope is still Catholic.

- The Earth is round.

- Sherlock is still constipated.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Jason

And Hamlin's more of a whiner than a wrecker.

Agree to disagree, I suppose... In fact, I don't think it would be hard to make the case that Denny is more likely than Joey to wreck another car out of a race, regardless of motivation (aggression, stupidity, payback). At any rate, either one of them knocking the other - or both - out works just fine for me

Originally Posted by Jason

Personally, I love a few kamikaze type drivers like Hocevar and Chastain in the mix.

Agree, for sure. However, seems to me that Chastain has both restrained his demolition derby ways, and has at the same time become more of a mid-pack racer than a weekly contender. A connection between the two? Maybe so...

[TheNatureBoi]

Toyota's just seem to be dominating this year

[Jason]

Originally Posted by thehef

Agree, for sure. However, seems to me that Chastain has both restrained his demolition derby ways, and has at the same time become more of a mid-pack racer than a weekly contender. A connection between the two? Maybe so...

Honestly, I think something's wrong with that team overall. Trackhouse just doesn't seem like Trackhouse right now.