Ron Thornton

Two races down, along with a trio of exhibitions for good measure, so what do we know now about the Gen 6 car? Starting with cosmetics, it at least looks like a car one might drive down the street.

Why I watched — Well, it sure was not to see qualifying, where 43 were entered for 43 slots. Maybe I watched to see which of the three non-points drivers would quit first and what reason they might give to not appear as a strictly field filling start and park.

The cream rises to the top, and stays there it seems. Defending champ Brad Keselowski continues to have the hot hand while Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson is just behind, along with Clint Bowyer.

Jimmie Johnson has his second Daytona 500, Chad Knaus has his first, and Dale Earnhardt Jr finished second again. Some will remember the race more for Danica Patrick starting at the pole, leading some laps, staying up front all day, and finishing eighth. Still, even more people will remember the weekend at Daytona for what took place the day before at the end of the Nationwide race.

And they say there is no such thing as a stupid question. The Daytona 500, a race they all want to win, one victory that keeps your name alive as long as they thunder down the track at Daytona Beach.

These twin races were to determine which cars made the Daytona 500 and who did not. Only the front pole sitters, the best six from last season, the best four qualifying times not already in, and former champion Kurt Busch were locked in. The rest had to go, had to make the moves, had to...

It is funny how some things bother a person. I have touched on the subject of start and park entries recently, I have even managed to understand why a Joe Nemechek does it in order to help fund his Nationwide operation. I think it bush league, but I do not condemn the man for taking advantage of the rules in order to better do what he loves to do.

NASCAR returned with 19 of its stars in its annual pre-season contest featuring the pole winners from last season, along with the former winners of what had been known as the Bud Shootout. More importantly, we were hoping for a real good look at the new Gen 6 car to see if the new design could actually lend itself to a more visually appealing contest.

ARCA's offering promised to showcase 19-year old Darrell Wallace Jr, who has a lot of folks gushing but I had yet to lay eyes on him. Seemed a good enough reason as any to watch some stock cars at the big track to open the new season.

Why, oh why, does NASCAR insist on allowing start and park entries? It is like inviting the Kannapolis Intimidators to take part in the odd MLB weekend schedule. I may be a bit off, but I really don't think you should mix the minor leaguers with your major leaguers in the hopes that the experience might turn one of them into the next big thing.