So now that the hangover from over a month of holiday stress has
subsided, I reckon it is time to start the official countdown to
Daytona. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking very forward to the trip
down. I will get to visit a good friend and have some serious
bonding time with my 17-year old step son. It is what has happened
this off-season that has me worried about NASCAR's future.

We all know that depression, recessions, etc, are temporary. Though
they aren't fixed overnight, the 2009 schedule has a lot of unknowns
due to the economy. Daytona is desperate enough that the Nationwide
Series tickets are printed on basic movie theater paper instead of
waxed finished tickets as in years past. They also sent me a parking
pass for free access to lot 10. I appreciate the gesture, however, I
did that years ago, and taking a shuttle to and fro is a pain in the
ass...I will pay to park closer. Petty has shut down operations and
is lending his name to GEM so his #43 will remain in NASCAR. Bill
Davis got out while the getting was good, and thanks to the NASCAR
Nazis, the Budweiser Shootout is a mere shell of its former self.
Some good drivers won't be in it, and others who let it all hang out
to win a pole last season will not be invited thanks to the new
format. NASCAR gets a BIG "WTF?" for geeking that one up. Ganassi
and DEI are now one entity, racing Chevys lacking major sponsorship
for the most part with the exception of what Truex brings to the
table...and this is just a small slice of the bad and ugly.

Hold on! There is some good! Not much, but there is. James Hylton,
once again, will attempt to become the oldest driver to not only
qualify for the Daytona 500, but race a full season. He's got his
work cut out for him, however. He has no points to fall back on, and
will be forced to race his way in every week. A lot of stress for a
74 year-old? I doubt it, seeing has he's been staying with it in the
ARCA Series. I hope he kicks ass and takes names. No testing, and
downsizing, just may bring back some of the old school style racing
we have been dying to see as fans. Perhaps on a miniscule level, but
I do forecast that teams will have to work a lot harder this season
than it has in the last decade.

Chances are that there will be a lot more leg room in the stands
now. People cannot afford tickets, the continued trend of empty
seats is only going to worsen, which means that super huge 600 lb man
we sat beside a couple years ago may opt to watch on television.

Fear not, friends. I will be there with bells on, sharing my in the
thrill of my step son's first race and taking in the atmosphere known
to NASCAR fans. Perhaps it's that small, to some trivial, issue I am
looking forward to most. Either way, I will see you in Daytona.