Nascar 2018 Race #18 - Fireworks at Daytona

[GA_Boater]

On Saturday night the Cup boys will be racing in the Firecracker 400, now called the Coke Zero Sugar 400, and X-Men compete on Friday. Everything kicks off today with X-Practices and Cup practices - 2 each.

41 Cup teams have entered, so 1 will go home. Friday and Saturday have a chance of scattered thunderstorms, normal summertime weather in Florida. From MRN, the schedule;

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[h=1]Daytona Schedule of Events[/h] All Times Eastern

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Thursday, July 5
Xfinity Series First Practice: 1:05 p.m.-1:55 p.m. (NBCSN)
Monster Energy Cup Series First Practice: 2:00 p.m.-2:55 p.m. (MRN/NBCSN)
Xfinity Series Final Practice: 3:05 p.m.-3:55 p.m. (NBCSN)
Monster Energy Cup Series Final Practice: 4:00 p.m.-4:55 p.m. (MRN/NBCSN)

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Friday, July 6
Xfinity Series Qualifying: 2:10 p.m. (NBCSN)
Monster Energy Cup Series Qualifying : 4:00 p.m. (MRN/NBCSN)

Xfinity Series Coca-Cola Firecracker 250: 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

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Saturday, July 7

Monster Energy Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400: 7:00 p.m. (MRN/NBC)

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A slim week for Nascar news, but here goes.

News and Notes

• Penalties, nothing much from Chicago. Only 1 Cup and 1 X-Car with loose lugs - Fines only.
• All 4 Stewart-Haas drivers are expected to return next year. The only question was Kurt Busch as he finishes a 1 year contract extension and he is expected to extend again. The other 3 have long term contracts.
• The Fall race on Charlotte's new Roval, part road course and part oval, has been reduced from 400KM to 300KM or about 250 miles and matches the Sonoma and Watkins Glen lengths
• TV ratings - Maybe Dale Jr. is what Nascar needed to boost ratings? Chicago got a 1.6 rating , up from 1.4 last year. Will it continue?

iBoats Fantasy Live

• Trackchick Stars got win #2 at Chicago, beating FlaCowboy in 2nd place. Congrats, TCS.
• FlaCowboy lost 16 points to TCS in the overall chase, but still has a nice 250+ cushion.
• 4:10 PM ET is the pole pick cutoff time. Good luck!

Humpty_Boater

 

[GA_Boater]

Rain shortened today's track activity. Both X-Practices got done, but Cup had the early practice and about 1 minute of the final period.

10 Cuppers were clocked over 200 MPH in the first practice. Don't forget to pick your pole winner before 4:10 PM tomorrow.

In other news;

• Nascar is still messing around with what 1.5 and 2 mile tracks will be using the All-Star package. My idea is ZERO unless Nascar like watching freight trains on asphalt.
• ISC president says attendance at ISC tracks declined 10% in the 6 races at ISCs track this year is because there is no star. Sure, blame an unnamed co-conspirator for falling attendance when the name is Nascar and the constant tweaking and lack of stability is pushing fans away. Attendance has been falling for years and lack of star power didn't start the decline.
• Ranting over........................................For now. LOL

 

[GA_Boater]

The new X-Car;



Started out as this, 2019 Supra;



Just a paint job, identical car you can buy at a Toyota dealer. I think Mustangs and Camaros hold closer to the showroom models.

 

[GA_Boater]

Not looking good.



Time for X-Qualifying. It's a line that kinda blew up along the coast and it's cats and dogs with lightning at the track.

 

[GA_Boater]

X-Qualifying is cancelled and Cup is now scheduled for 5:30, a 90 minute delay.

As far as I know, the X-Race start is still on schedule.................unless the Rains of Ranchipur return.

 

[GA_Boater]

Some how Daytona stayed dry enough to run Cup qualifying.

Elliott, Bowman, Keso, Johnson, Harvick, Stenhouse,Newman, McDowell, Bowyer, Dillon3, Joey and Blaney are the first 12 starting spots.

The X=Race is still on at 7:30 barring all the t-storms still in the area.

 

[GA_Boater]

Didn't watch or listen to the X-Race which went off with no rain delays.

A bit of drama on the final lap, Larson was leading and got passed by Sadler. While that was going on, Haley nipped by on the inside to win the race, Larson got 2 feet ahead of Sadler.

But hold on - Haley went below the yellow line used only at Daytona and Dega. Took his win away and finished in 18th. Larson got the win and Sadler 2nd. Larson won all three heats, so once again the X-Er's got BuschWhacked. 3 other X-Regs finished behind Sadler.

Looking at replays, it looked like Haley was on the line, not below. But I'm looking a itty-bitty GIF on Twitter. Hope they show it tomorrow during the Cup pre-game show.

There were two big wrecks - one 13 laps before the end and Cindric's ended up (or down) on it's roof. The other was on the next restart, but not as dramatic.

 

[MTboatguy]

Without Cup guys, Sadler might actually win a few races...

:facepalm:

That said, if I were a driver, I would be happy to finish up front every week, I am sure he is making a good living.

 

[GA_Boater]

Without Cup guys, Sadler might have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs and more playoff points. It isn't just Sadler, it's the other teams with no wins because of BuschWhackers.

Suarez is starting at the back tonight for unapproved adjustments. Just wondering, what are approved adjustments?

 

[GA_Boater]

Roster picks lock at 7:39 tonight.

I think we can expect some weather delays tonight. Building like last night and not sure if Daytona will as lucky tonight.

 

[FlaCowboy]

It is ashame that Haley lost the race however rules are rules and both of his left side tires were below Both Yellow Lines and there was no reason for it. Sadler was 1 1/2 car widths (sp) above the yellow lines so no need for Haley to be below them.

Should be a fun filled race tonight IF Mother Nature permits it...:watermelon:

Congrats Trackchicks...:encouragement:

Good Luck Everyone...let`s all try and avoid the Big One...:bump2:

 

[GA_Boater]

Add Kahne, Ragan and Cassill to the back of the field list for those unapproved adjustments.

Got their motors running.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Is this going to be Chase Elliott's big night?

 

[GA_Boater]

Is this going to be Chase Elliott's big night?

I hope so, he's been knockin' on the door. But this is Daytona!

Green flag!

 

[GA_Boater]

1st heat - Stenhouse holds off The Twerp for the heat win.

No cautions, just mainly freight trains.

 

[GA_Boater]

Got a big one!

 

[GA_Boater]

Not Elliott's night. Or Keso or McMurray and few more.

 

[GA_Boater]

12 and more. Joey!

It looked like Stenhouse took the air off of Keso or swiped him.

 

[FlaCowboy]

Anybody got any drivers left...:noidea:

 

[MTboatguy]

Oooooops!