Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, leads the field at the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2014 – Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Finally the wait is almost over!
With news still flowing daily of team and driver changes throughout silly season in NASCAR, the anticipation for the start of a new racing season is quickly rising. On Saturday night, the Sprint Unlimited kicks off the first Sprint Cup Series event since the 2014 series’ finale at Homestead Miami in November. Catch all the action on February 14 at 8 pm ET on FOX, MRN and Sirius XM Radio from Daytona International Speedway.
The non-points paying race is the first opportunity for drivers to test out the new rules package because of NASCAR’s new ‘no testing’ policy for the 2015 season. The 25 teams in the event plan to use that opportunity to learn as much as possible – giving them any advantage for the next four restrictor plate tracks, and especially with their first points-paying race – the Daytona 500 – on February 22nd. But the real learning will come at the second points race of the season – Atlanta Motor Speedway – a 1.5 mile track, which dominates the series’ circuit.
Last season, NASCAR issued fewer penalties, as reported by USA Today. There were 81 penalties in Sprint Cup – the lowest number in a season for a series that averaged 205 penalties each year since detailed record-keeping began in 2000. Expect just the opposite for this season. NASCAR has invested in using more technology, citing safety, accuracy and better racing for fans as pivotal reasons to reinforce their intention to keep the playing field as even as possible.
That means NASCAR officials will be officiating pit road from a hauler using computers and cameras instead of standing on pit road. The computers help officials quickly see where pit road violations are taking place. Officials have been behind the scenes testing the technology and based on their findings, there will be more pit road penalties than ever before – at least until drivers discover their boundaries.
NASCAR has also improved their pre-race inspection process, again using more technology allowing them to become more accurate in their assessments before the race starts.
With fewer officials on pit road, they are no longer calling any lugnut violations. The speculation on how that will impact teams is just that and more will be known beginning with the Sprint Unlimited. If teams can get by with fewer or loose lugnuts, it will save them time during pit stops. But if that impacts the driver performance on the track, it could also mean costly time back on pit road to fix any issues – or – in a worst case scenario – a wrecked car, costing even more. It comes down to a commonly used phrase – ‘Risk versus Reward’ – as teams learn how to get the most under this new set of circumstances.
Four drivers are coming to the Sprint Unlimited at the cost of four other drivers. The four eligible drivers not racing, include Brian Vickers – medical reasons; AJ Allmendinger – no sponsorship; Brian Scott – focusing on Xfinity Series; and David Gilliland – no sponsorship.
Taking their place are Clint Bowyer, Paul Menard, Casey Mears and Ricky Stenhouse Jr, based on their 2014 point standings ranging from 19th to 22nd – who said points don’t matter? These drivers just gained at least a bit of advantage over the others still not eligible to race in the Sprint Unlimited.
Expect some of the veterans to take center stage on Saturday night.
Jeff Gordon and his historic No. 24 have 21 consecutive appearances in the Sprint Unlimited and he has announced 2015 is his last season in the Sprint Cup Series. Gordon is one of only five drivers to win the Sprint Unlimited and go on to win the Daytona 500 – Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000) and Jeff Gordon (1997). He is also one of only four drivers to win the Sprint Unlimited, 1979 -2014, then the championship in the same season. Tony Stewart (2002), Jeff Gordon (1997), Dale Earnhardt (1993, 1991, 1986, 1980), and Darrell Waltrip (1981). A win on Saturday night, goes a long way to accomplishing either of these feats and give Gordon an inspirational start to his farewell tour of 2015.
The reigning Sprint Cup Champion Kevin Harvick is riding high coming into Daytona and the Sprint Unlimited is his first chance to wear his shiny new crown with some dignity. He has some interesting event stats to back up his pride as the reigning series champ. Harvick is one of nine drivers with multiple wins in the Sprint Unlimited – Dale Earnhardt has the most with six; Dale Jarrett, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart all have three, with Neil Bonnett, Ken Schrader, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin with two event victories. A trip to victory lane on Saturday would set Harvick apart from the rest and set him second only to Earnhardt Sr. Four drivers have won consecutive Sprint Unlimited races (1979-2014). None went on to win that year’s Daytona 500. They include, Harvick – 2009-10; Stewart 2000-01; Ken Schrader 1990-91; and Neil Bonnett 1983-84. If he wins on Saturday, Harvick would love to add his name to those winning the Sprint Unlimited and Daytona 500 in the same year. In 2009, Harvick became the only driver to start as far back as 27th and then win the race. The question is whether he needs that same fortitude in 2015, coming off his first championship season or will he win back-to-back titles?
There are several drivers who may show the crowd at Daytona for the Sprint Unlimited a visit to victory lane.
Dale Earnhardt Jr, is the defending Daytona 500 winner and wants to reinforce his new season with a new crew chief with a quick trip to victory lane on Saturday night. If he wins or not, he could still become a back-to-back winner in the Great American Race next Sunday, February 22nd.
Stewart’s stats are already mentioned, and there’s no doubt that he’s ready to move on from a miserable season last year. There’s plenty of reason to believe he wants to start this year on a high note. Win or lose the Sprint Unlimited, Stewart has never won the Daytona 500 and he’ll take whatever he learns on Saturday toward getting his first Daytona 500 victory on February 22nd. When he wins, it will be a sentimental fan-favorite moment.
Jamie McMurray, a Daytona 500 winner, is second only to Stewart in this event’s driver rating over the past nine seasons. At 95.9 – Stewart’s is 98.4 – he’s been in seven of the last nine Sprint Unlimited events.
After high hopes of winning his seventh championship Jimmie Johnson’s 2014 season was not what he had expected. The Sprint Unlimited may give an idea of what fans can expect from the No. 48 team in 2015 – is this the year he gets his seventh title?
Making his move to Joe Gibbs Racing this season, Carl Edward’s run on Saturday night may tell whether that was a good decision – keeping in mind there’s plenty of race time yet this season to tell the rest of this story.
With only two appearances in the Sprint Unlimited, Brad Keselowski has an average finish of third. He’ll want to improve that stat with a win in his third appearance. For the season, he wants to put his critics to rest by going for his second championship.
Last year, Denny Hamlin led the field to the green flag and took the checkered flag on his way to victory lane.
Whomever wins the Sprint Unlimited, the race is definitely one to watch as the Sprint Cup Series season gets started for the 2015 season.