This seems like a good time to point this out. Unless I missed it while browsing the list of 62 official NASCAR partners, there is no official antifreeze of NASCAR.
There’s an official beer, an official motor oil, and even an official grill (Pit Boss, by the way). But no antifreeze, which stinks because even The most fervent enthusiasts of NASCARfrom Indiana to the southeast, where the latest arctic explosion is brewing, hope not to run out of suburban propane (yes, that’s the one).
But, assuming the radiator holds up, start it up and let’s work on the gearbox to make up for lost time. recent news cycle.
First Gear: Daytona 500 entry list (sort of) strengthens
When Martin Truex Jr.’s upcoming Daytona 500 effort was announced late last week, the number of teams planning an attempt at Daytona stood at 45.
Unless it’s 44.
ROLEX PRIMER As the Rolex 24 approaches, let’s learn a little about the Daytona sports car race
Everyone hopes to line up on February 16 among the 40 participants.
Unless it’s 41.
The 36 Cup franchises – “approved” teams – all benefit from guaranteed starting places throughout the season. Forty-four cars have been entered for the Daytona 500, and that number will increase to 45 if Carl Long’s team finds a driver (and sponsor) to replace Mike Wallace, who was turned down by NASCAR due to a stake. on foot of 10 years of high level. speed ovals.
Helio Castroneves’ entry added an asterisk to the eventual number of entries in the Daytona 500. Under a new rule allowing an “outsider” with great racing skills to enter a Cup race, Helio is now automatically included, and if he fails to qualify for the 500m through qualifying, he will occupy a 41st starting spot.
Unknown drivers, outside of Helio and Truex, currently being selected: Jimmie Johnson, BJ McLeod, Anthony Alfredo, JJ Yeley, Justin Allgaier and whoever is named to drive an additional Rick Ware Racing car (Corey LaJoie is rumored) .
Second Gear: Latest News – Kyle Larson is a good racing driver
Kyle Larson is considered by many to be the best all-around runner in North America. Last weekend, he further strengthened his credibility on a small dirt oval in Tulsa. He won the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals for the third time in six years.
Larson led all 40 laps of the finale.
Fellow former Cup champion Kyle Busch and (future champion?) Christopher Bell were among the NASCAR contingent participating in the annual gathering of the nation’s best mid-car drivers.
Third gear: remembering senior Martin Truex
Sadly, news of Martin Truex Jr.’s upcoming effort at the Daytona 500 was soon followed by news of Martin Truex Sr.’s passing at age 66.
The family’s statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our father. Simply put, he was our hero and a great man. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy at this time.
Martin Sr. raced part-time in the New Jersey area while building, with his brother Barney, a large clamming business called Sea Watch.
Martin Sr. did his racing outside the NASCAR spotlight, starting 135 races in the old Busch North Series, now known as the ARCA East, and he won once, at New Hampshire in 1994. He also made 15 starts in the old Busch. Series, with a best performance of 12th at Nazareth, also in 1994.
Fourth gear: Rolex 24 kicks off racing season at Daytona
Oh, by the way, it’s Rolex 24 at Daytona week.
Participation in NASCAR has fluctuated over Daytona’s nearly 60 years of sports car endurance racing, and lately it has been declining. But one of the Corvette teams in the GTD class includes a sort of 2025 Cup Series rookie (Shane van Gisbergen) and an Xfinity Series rookie (Connor Zilisch). Both have experience with sports cars.
Additionally, 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric was a late replacement for an injured driver and will co-drive a Ford Mustang in GTD. This will be Cindric’s sixth Rolex start.
We obviously have a biased opinion, but this car looks great from every angle!
Thank you for all the comments over the last few days. Lots of content to bridge the gap between now and the Rolex 24!#Corvette #CRbyPMM pic.twitter.com/h2gpI2T9I5
– Pratt Miller Motorsports (@PrattMillerMS) December 11, 2023
In IMSA’s GTD classes, Mustangs actually look like Mustangs, while Corvettes, Porsches, Ferraris, etc. look like Mustangs. look very similar to their exhibition counterparts. Ironically, this might be the week that something resembling real “stock” cars gets laps at Daytona International Speedway.
And yes, in a week we will be talking about the next Clash and the officially unofficial start of another NASCAR Cup Series season.
Vroom, vroom.
— Email Ken Willis at [email protected]
This article originally appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR: Daytona 500, Kyle Larson, Rolex 24 and some difficult news on the schedule
