But Which of our Unheralded Cup Interlopers will Make
the Show?
Otay, so much for Ye No Fenders Blog moniker.
Although this is about the only time of year I bother paying Any close Attenzione
to Dem’ RASSCAR’ Taxicab Bombers. As I can hardly wait to Hear Mike Joy telling
us how Thar the Gurr-Reatest’ Drivers in the World, Barf!
As what a difference a year makes, Eh? Since
around this time last year, All of the Buzz was over some former Formula 1
Champion from Up North Eh! Named Jacques Villeneuve had impressively made His
way into His Debutante 500 on Qualifying Speed…
Yet I have to say I’m most interested this
February over whether or not Travis Pastrana could “race” His way into this
year’s Daytona 500?
Tend to believe it was Fox’s New Pitlane Reporter
Josh Somebody who made the comment. Noting that Travis was a “Big dude!” And He
looked like He could be a tight end!
As Y’all may know, NASCAR has 36 Franchise, Err
Charter Member entries for it’s series, ensuring participation in All of it’s
races. Leaving just four “Slots” open on the Grid for Non Charter Teams to
attempt making the race.
And with Jimmie Johnson having bought an Ownership
Stake in what’s now known as Legacy Motor Club, the former Petty GMS Racing operation,
albeit “The King!” Aka Richard Petty still has a partial ownership in the new
entity. You’d have to say that Johnson’s, whose running a limited season schedule
is pretty much a Slam Dunk, meaning there’s really only three places up for grabs
at this year’s Great American race…
Pastrana is probably best known for His Amazing
Motorcycle Stunt riding in the X Games, where He was the first to ever land a
Double Backflip on a motorcycle! Along with being a Four-times consecutive SCCA
Rally America Champion. Also racing in the World Rally Championship, (WRC) and
other guises of Rally Car racing. Not to mention Stadium Trucks and Hosting His
Nitro Circus TV Show.
Travis previously contested the then Nationwide
Cup lite’ series circa 2012-2013, which I believe included finishing a race at
Daytona International speedway going Backwards thru the grass after being
collected in a late race accident! Plus making five RASSCAR Truck races,
primarily at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
As Pastrana will attempt making His Daytona 500
debut driving the third 23/XI Racing No. 67 Toyota Camary, alongside it’s regular
season drivers Darrell “Bubba” Wallace (#23) and Tyler Reddick. (#45)
Yet I have to say I’m most interested this
February over whether or not Travis Pastrana can “race” His way into this year’s
Daytona 500?
Although one third of the Non Charter “Open” Cars
took themselves out with mechanical issues before Travis rolled off for Qualifying.
Suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised that Pastrana “raced” His way into the
Daytona 500 by setting the second quickest Qualie’ time behind Jimmie Johnson.
After all, you could say that Pastrana was in the second best car…
And the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 runners seem to be
the most prolific of the Non Charter members at Day-Toner’. And Arse-sumedly also
have the most regular season Cup entries overall. With Johnson’s third #84 Legacy
Motor Club Bowtie’ entry presumably being the strongest.
As Johnson’s Full season “Employees” (Drivers)
are Eric Jones in the iconic Petty No. 43 and Noah Gragson in the No. 42.
As Gragson’s apparently just one of two Full
season Rookies in the Cup Series this year. As Gragson finished Runner-up to Ty
Gibbs in last year’s Xfinity series, whose the other Cup rookie, naturally driving
for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Gragson also made waves last summer when colliding
with Sage Karam at Road America. Triggering a 13-car Pile-up and subsequently
being Fined $35,000 and Docked 30 Drivers Points!
While Kaulig Racing will field a third #13 Camaro
entry for Chandler Smith. With the team’s two regular season entries being the
#16 of A.J. Allmendinger, one of three ex-IndyCar Drivers in the field. Along
with Justin Haley in the team’s No. 31 entry.
Can Y’all figure
out who the other two former IndyCar Driver’s in this year’s Day-Toner’ 500 are?
As it sounds like Smith is being Fast-tracked
for an eventual Cup future with Kaulig Racing. Since after spending time as a RASSCAR’
PickEmUp’ Trucks racer for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Smith has been tabbed to
take over Allmendinger’s Cup lite (Xfinity) ride for the 2023 season. Along
with attempting to make His Big Boyz’ Cup Debut at Daytona in a limited five race
Cup campaign.
Not gonna say anything about His Car number, but!
Being the very first Qualifier, His Chevy just simply wouldn’t keep running, as
the engine just kept cutting Out! But surely Kaulig will rectify this for His
Dual race…
While you’d have to think initially that Austin
Hill driving the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Camaro is facing the steepest uphill
battle of making the Show. Originally as one of only three single car team entries
in the field.
Although ironically, this is the very same team
that Gragson made His maiden Daytona 500 start for a year ago. With Gragson
later giving the team it’s very first Top-5 finish in the summer’s Daytona
race.
As the team has a technical alliance with
Richard Childress Racing, (RCR) along with “leasing” chassis from RCR and utilizing
ECR engines.
As I’ve just learned that Hill who won His maiden
Xfinity race at Daytona last year ahead of A.J. Allmendinger on the race’s
final lap, which was overshadowed by Myatt Snider’s vicious crash! Is a Richard
Childress Racing Xfity Driver who won last year’s Xfinity Rookie Of the Year.
Who also punched Snider in the face at Martinsville, following being Wrecked
Out of the Xfinity Playoffs last year by Snider.
As Hill’s made one Monster Energy Cup Big Boyz’
start last year at Michigan and serves as Beard Motorsports Part-time Cup Driver.
Although He’d Hinted at it during Spring
Training at the Thermal Club. Conor Daly made it official on February 7th
that He would attempt qualifying for this year’s Day-toner’ 500 aboard the No.
50 the Money Team Racing’s Camaro, bBecoming the fourth single car entry.
As Daly has one NASCAR Cup start to His credit,
last year’s Charlotte Roval where He finished P34.
This upstart team, that made it’s first four
starts in Cup last year is owned by Boxer Floyd Mayweather, and it would be
phenomenal if Daly, whose “Day Job” is chauffeuring the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing
Chevrolet IndyCar could somehow race His way into the Daytona 500. Yet Daly’s
never driven at Daytona before, and with No practice is essentially going in “Blind!”
As Daly Didn’t even attempt Qualifying. And later
told veteran Reporter Jamie Little that something had happened to the car’s Oil
Heater having an electrical failure. At least I think that’s what He said?
Since I Didn’t have the volume Jacked Up enough to Hear over the rumble of the
Ontrack racecar!
Daly probably has the biggest “Mountain” to climb
to make it into the show. But I appreciate His willingness to give it a shot.
And who knows? The other three “Open” Drivers, I.e.; Chandler Smith, Austin
Hill and Zane Smith vying for the final two Starting spots could All be
involved in what RASSCAR’ loves calling “The Big One!” During their respective
Dual races…
Meanwhile, the Blue Oval, aka Ford sees just one Non
Charter entry being a third Front Row Motorsports for Zane Smith. Who’ll
attempt making the show in His No. 36 Ford Mustang alongside team regulars
Michael McDowell in the #34 entry. With Todd Gillilan in the team’s No. 38 entry.
As Smith won the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Trucks
Championship driving for Front Row Motorsports after finishing Runner-up in
2020-2021. And has also driven Part-time for Junior Motorsports in Cup lite and
also raced in Robby Gordon’s Stadium Supertrucks Series.
OH yeah, in case you’re still reading? And Ah-Wonderin’ who the third former IndyCar Driver in this year’s field is? Look no further then the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang with Cody Ware behind it’s wheel. As Cody joins A.J. Allmendinger and Michael McDowell for this Honour. Whilst Daly is a current IndyCar Driver…