50th Running of the Daytona 500

Today we watched Nascar's running of the 50th Daytona 500! It race fun and the pre-race activites were very interesting. All the history the stories.

They had clips of past races, interviews with past greats like Richard Petty, winner of 7 Daytona's (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979 & 1981), Cale Yarbrough with 4 (1968, 1977, 1983 & 1984) plus so many others (you can check here for the complete list of past winners). They also included interviews with recent winners such as Jeff Gordon with 3 who still holds the title of youngest winner at 25 (1997, 1999 & 2005), Dale Earnhardt Jr. the 2004 winner (and personally my favorite driver) and Jimmie Johnson the 2006 winner. Seeing the currents "stars" of the sport looking at their heroes, getting to sit and talk with them. You could see the excitement in every one's eyes old & young alike.

This years race was filled with excitement. Many lead changes, great strategy and a first time winner with Ryan Newman. A great kick-off for the Nascar season.

I have to get in my "Go Junior"! After his stressful 2007 season, with the difficult decision to change race teams from that of his fathers company (DEI) to Hendrick Motors, changing his sponsors and a change in his number (from 8 to 88), there seems to be a weight lifted off his shoulders! He's confidant and already has the Bud "Shoot-out" win & the winner of his duel heat. So I'm anxious to see him go for the championship (88 in 08)!