Danica Patrick has had a smashing first race in NASCAR – literally.
Patrick’s debut was spoiled when she became part of a 12 car wreck on lap 68 of the Nationwide Series race at Daytona this afternoon, putting a premature end to her much-hyped entrance into the stock-car world. Among other drivers in the crash were Colin Braun, Jason Leffler, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Stanton Barrett, Josh Wise and Johnny Sauter.
“I kept it straight, hoping they’d get out of the way, and they didn’t,” Patrick radioed to her team immediately after the wreck, which started when Josh Wise and Colin Braun got together in front of her.
In reality, there was little Danica could have done to avoid the crash. Prior to that, it hadn’t been such a good day for her anyway as she fell as far back as 35th place and nearly lost the draft as the final car on the lead lap. Patrick was lapped during green-flag pit stops, but got the free pass when a caution finally came out.
After getting her lap back, she drove up to around 25th place and said she was just starting to get the hang of it when she was caught in the wreck.
The opening ceremony on Friday was enjoyable but we’re now into the competition and there are some “must watch” events coming up in the next few days.
On February 17 and 18 you can get a double dose of snowboarding. The men’s halfpipe takes center stage on Feb 17 and the woman’s event takes place the next day.
On February 21st get ready for the US hockey team takes on the games host country, the traditionally tough Canada. Much of the NHL’s top talent comes from north of the US border so you expect a lot of pride to come into this one as the US men try to seal a victory.
The women’s figure skating always seems to dominate the Olympics and this year should be no exception as the short program is set for February 23rd with the free skating taking place on 25th.
Before all that though make sure you catch the Alpine skiing on Feb 16. For me, who has no clue how to ski, I find it fascinating how they maneuver down the mountain so quickly. It’s an event made for TV.
Perhaps the most amazing event is the biathlon. The men’s 10km sprint is on Valentine’s Day while the 12.5km event is on Feb 16 and then on Feb 18 you get chance to catch up with the 20km. These guys are amazing athletes as they need to be great cross country skiers as well as being steady enough to hit a target.
Daytona 500, the Great American Race comes round again this weekend. If you’re not into NASCAR, I should explain that it is a cornucopia of noise and speed, from pre-race music to high-powered engines, with colored flags waving on the track and the American flag all around.
Sunday’s 500-mile, 200-lap race starts at 1 p.m but this blog will first address some of the most popular questions that people ask.
What Does NASCAR Stand For?
National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, formed in December 1947 with the help of Daytona Beach’s Bill France Sr., who ran a local service station and promote local races.
There are three divisions: Sprint Cup, Nationwide and the Camping World Truck series.
Sprint Cup is the top tier. The other two are developmental series.
Why is the Daytona 500 arguably NASCAR’s biggest race of the year?
The sport was founded in Daytona and the race has always been first on the schedule. It’s a combination of tradition, history, weather and marketing that makes it the great race it has become today.
What is the big deal with Danica Patrick?
Popularized by GoDaddy.com commercials, Patrick is an accomplished Indy Racing League driver. (She is the only woman to lead the Indianapolis 500 and owns the highest finish by a woman, fourth in 2005). But she’ll make her NASCAR debut when she drives in Saturday’s Nationwide race (the DRIVE4COPD 300).
What happens if drivers have to go to the bathroom during a race?
That’s the No. 1 question fans ask, drivers said. And, yep, they go in their suits.
“I have only done it a couple of times in my career,” said Casey Mears, who has driven 252 Sprint Cup races. “You don’t get out and go to the bathroom. It doesn’t happen frequently.”
Veteran driver Jeff Burton agreed.
“If you’ve got to pee,” Burton said, “you just pee.”
What’s the deal with the cars?
Top drivers drive only only a Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion or Toyota Camry.
They typically weight 3,450 pounds without the driver.
Top speed is 200 mph.
Transmission is 4-speed.
What do the colored flags means?
Green flag: Go. It comes out at the start of the race and when caution period is over.
Yellow flag: Caution. Cars must slow to near-minimal speed. This comes out because of a hazard or a crash.
Black flag: Get off the track. It’s used when a driver breaks the rules or is driving a dangerous car.
White flag: One lap to go.
Checkered flag: The race is over … and we have a winner.
What is Bump Drafting?
Drafting = when two or more cars race nose-to-tail and the first car breaks the air, giving the second and third cars less resistance and making them all go faster than a single car.
Bump drafting occurs when one race car taps the back end of another car in front. That propels the first car ahead and the draft pulls the second car along, too. Done right, it’s racing at its most skillful. Done wrong, it’s an accident waiting to happen.
NASCAR instituted a no-bump-draft rule to make racing safer. But drivers and fans complained about how it made the races major snooze fests.
Last month, NASCAR lifted the regulation against bump drafting. It should make for more fun. And more wrecks.
“If you don’t bump draft the guy straight in front of you, it will cause a wreck. If he has his wheel turned to the left and you hit him, he can spin out,” said driver Elliott Sadler, a 12-year Sprint Cup veteran.
So that’s a brief round up… sit back and enjoy the race… and here’s Chris Rea’s “Daytona” to get you in the mood.
