Spinners And Winners ~ The Daytona 500
2/26/2014
Jim Fitzgerald
Greeting my friends, and welcome to what I think might be a regularly seen return of something I began writing, oh maybe twelve years ago. That was a different time and it was for a different site. (Patten, if you’re reading this, I’m taking it back!!) This is the Spinners and Winners column, which will take a have me review the most recent race and give you what I deem to be the Winners (the good points) and the Spinners (the one that were not so good.) Hope you enjoy it…
Winner- The fans. It’s racing season again, and the Daytona 500 is on!
Winner- Denny Hamlin’s hair. He looked like Darrell Watrip in the 1980’s
Winner- National Anthem singer Aloe Blacc. Bravo,
sir. Your National Anthem was delivered
to us as it should always be.
Spinner- Matt Kenseth, literally on pit road. Kenseth appeared to find his pit stall late, and instead of missing it altogether, he looped his car in for some reverse service.
Winner- Matt Kenseth recovering from would could have been a disaster to finish in sixth place.
Spinner- Rain at Daytona after just a few laps of a teaser, but…
Winner- NASCAR for getting another Daytona Prime Time Race. Through rain, potholes, and an exploding jet-dryer, it seems to have become rather commonplace for the 500 to finish at night.
Spinner- How big were those rain drops on the “window” of the Hollywood Hotel?
Spinner- FOX for showing last year’s race during the rain delay. I would rather see a race from a few years ago if I couldn’t see one live. How about you show one from 2003 or 2007, even? It might alleviate some unforeseen issues, such as…
Spinner- Those who thought they were watching the 2014 Daytona 500 during the rain delay. Pay attention to the details….AND
Spinner- Fox News who was baffled by its own network, and announced that Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500 for the third time.
Winner- The Air Titan system use to dry the track during and after the rain. It is rather impressive, and without it, I don’t think we get the Daytona 500 restarted on Sunday.
Winner- Again, the fans. Because we are going back to green.
Spinner- Austin Dillon.
Yes, he’s a rookie, I know, but from my eyes, he looked a bit
responsible for more than one wreck.
Winner- Austin Dillon for handling the pressure that was put on him this week like a veteran.
Winner- Some of these commercials are great!
Spinner- Kyle Busch for leaving pit road with equipment, but…
Winner- Kyle Busch for being a lap down
and continuing to fight, fight, fight to not only get the lap back, but have a
legitimate shot to win the race in the closing laps. Folks, that’s why you NEVER GIVE UP.
Spinner- No SAFER barrier on the front stretch where Danica Patrick hit the wall.
Spinner- Those who for some reason still believe there is an “S” at the end of “Rick Hendrick.”
Winner- Denny Hamlin’s efforts during Speedweeks. He scored a win in the Unlimited, a win in his 150 mile qualifier, and a second place in the Daytona 500.
Winner-My Grandmother, who would have turned 88 last week. She started following racing to support me when I was writing about it oh-so-many years ago, and even before. She was an Earnhardt fan, and then a Dale Jr. fan. I’m pretty sure she’s wearing a smile.
The Checkered Flag Winner-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for winning the Daytona 500 for the second time.
That's all for this week! Feel free to add in your own Spinners and Winners from last weekend as well! Until next time....