Changing the Daytona 500


spyderpancake

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I have heard this being tossed around a couple of places, and figured I'd see what yall think.

Why isn't the Daytona 500 the last race of the year? It seems like it would be the next step in keeping up with other sports. It would make the most prestigious race one of the most important ones. Some people will say that a restrictor-plate race shouldn't be the final race because of the unpredictability and huge crashes that wipe out half the field(which have been getting fewer at Daytona the last couple of years). I think it would be a good idea-imagine the hype going into the last race. Maybe they could move the Pepsi 400 to the first race of the year so they would begin and end at Daytona. What is your opinion?

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Guest IADEERDUDE

Re: Changing the Daytona 500

i agree... can you imagine what it would be like for the guys in the chase trying to avoid the "big one". i bet it would be pretty exciting for everyone, its got my vote...

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Re: Changing the Daytona 500

tradition is hard to break in nascar, but heck they got rid of rockingham this year so it's not impossible. I'm all for it. I say get rid of the Pepsi 400, keep the daytona 500, but end the year at daytona with another 500 mile race. call it the championship 500 or something. To me, the last few tracks races are held at each year are kind of boring - phoenix, homestead = blah

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Re: Changing the Daytona 500

I'm gonna have to dissagree with everyone here. I think it would be a huge mistake. Yes every orher sport has their big game of the year atthe end of the season. Why would anyone want nascar to copy the stick and ball sports? I like all the hype leading up to the 500. The Bud shootout, the Twin 125's (150's this year). February, and The Daytona 500 just go together for me. I for one hope they don't change it.

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Re: Changing the Daytona 500

I don't know guys... I see where your coming from though. I just get so geared up for the 500 to start the year that I hate to see them change it. If they didn't go to the "Chase" format I would so go for it having the Daytona 500 the last race but the way the "Chase" deal plays out I'm not sure. Might be great and worth a try once but I still like it as the first race to kick off the year!

Eric

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Re: Changing the Daytona 500

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Some people will say that a restrictor-plate race shouldn't be the final race because of the unpredictability and huge crashes that wipe out half the field(which have been getting fewer at Daytona the last couple of years).

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That is it right there. Restrictor plate races are a blast to watch, but anyone can win it and anyone can wind up on their roof. What you get with Daytona is the handling version of a superspeedway. Just remember last year's Daytona 500. Yes, it was AWESOME because Junior won. But, the last 130 laps were all green flag, and NASCAR got what they wanted, the field spread out. Daytona is just too much of a "what if" track. It's a mental track and someone could make a minor error and cost 25 people a shot at the race.

Personally, I'd like to see the World's 600 be the last race of the year. grin.gif

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Re: Changing the Daytona 500

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I say keep it the same. February wouldn't be Feb. without the shoot out, the twins and the 500! It's something to look forward to between deer season and turkey season! grin.gif

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EXACTLY! You would have to change the entire format of Speedweeks then, and it wouldn't be the same. Like my idea about the 600 being last....nope....you also have the All-Star Race and a Memorial Day weekend tradition.

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Re: Changing the Daytona 500

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I think the main reason with the 500 being first is that it is a restrictor plate race and aerodynamics plays such a important part that the teams spend most of the off season working on the plate cars for the new season , there's just not enough time during the regular season to get the kinks out of the plate cars and who wants to change tradition...

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It warmer there this time of year too. wink.gif

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