This year's Daytona 500 not only brought us new pavement but also four new records including the youngest champion ever to win the event, a twenty year old named Trevor Bayne.
Trevor Bayne turned twenty on Saturday so him just being a starter in the Daytona 500 was a birthday present in itself. The young rookie all week turned heads and got the attention of many NASCAR elite drivers including Jeff Gordon, who on Thursday asked Bayne if he wanted to practice drafting together during the Gatorade Duels.
"Are you kidding me?" said Trevor as he passed the line while the checkered flag waved, "This is unbelievable"
Trevor was so in shock that he needed directions to get to victory lane.
It was a day where most people wanted to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. win since it marked the tenth anniversary of Dale Earnhardt Sr. passing on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 and almost saw it come to a reality until Dale Jr. had to pit during the Green, White, Checkered finish due to a tire problem. Dale Jr. ended up finishing in the 24th position.
Carl Edwards finished 2nd, David Gilliand 3rd, Bobby Labonte 4th, and Kurt Busch rounded out the top 5.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2011 Preseason of NASCAR
Unlike most sports NASCAR's biggest race of the year is its very first one, the Daytona 500. Every year thousands of fans gather in Daytona for a solid week that starts off with the Bud Shootout the Saturday before and qualifying the next Sunday. When this week rolls around I get this feeling of joy and happiness but also sadness always hits me. This year marks the tenth year anniversary of the late Dale Earnhardt, who died on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001. Ever since then watching a NASCAR race has been bitter-sweet. Dale was the first true athlete that I followed and really cheered for growing up and seeing him die on the final lap was the worst thing that could happen to me at the age of 10. Since his death I have kept up with the sport following Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. but it just has not been the same since. But this year I will really be pulling harder than ever for Dale Jr. to win since it will be the tenth anniversary of Dale Sr. and I can not think of a better way to celebrate it than the championship being held in a Earnhardt's arms.
Now me wanting Dale Jr. to win and having me project him to win it is two different stories since he has not had a great track record in a while but I also think that this year Jimmie Johnson will not win for the sixth straight time as well. This year my pick might surprise some but also will make since once you think about it so with out further a due here it is....
12. Brad Keselowski
11. Martin Truex Jr.
10. Jaime McMurray
9. A.J. Allmendinger
8. Kurt Busch
7. Kyle Busch
6. Jeff Gordon
5. Tony Stewart
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Clint Bowyer
2. Jimmie Johnson
1. Carl Edwards
So there you have it, I have Carl Edwards finally breaking through and winning the Sprint Cup Championship but I don't expect Jimmie Johnson to give it up so easily. The biggest concern in my top 12 would have to be A.J. Allmendinger, he has not really proven too much but I went with my gut instead of my head...so hopefully gut won that one.
Now me wanting Dale Jr. to win and having me project him to win it is two different stories since he has not had a great track record in a while but I also think that this year Jimmie Johnson will not win for the sixth straight time as well. This year my pick might surprise some but also will make since once you think about it so with out further a due here it is....
12. Brad Keselowski
11. Martin Truex Jr.
10. Jaime McMurray
9. A.J. Allmendinger
8. Kurt Busch
7. Kyle Busch
6. Jeff Gordon
5. Tony Stewart
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Clint Bowyer
2. Jimmie Johnson
1. Carl Edwards
So there you have it, I have Carl Edwards finally breaking through and winning the Sprint Cup Championship but I don't expect Jimmie Johnson to give it up so easily. The biggest concern in my top 12 would have to be A.J. Allmendinger, he has not really proven too much but I went with my gut instead of my head...so hopefully gut won that one.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Super Bowl XLV-Prediction
After two weeks the game is finally here. The Steelers is 7-1 all-time in the Super Bowl and the Packers won the first two NFL Championship with the late Vince Lombardi. Both these franchises are deep with tradition and winning tradition. As for the game, it will come down to one of the quarterbacks making a bad throw or a fumble. Therefore, I will pick the Packers to win the game. I think Roethlisberger just holds the ball to long and makes some bad decisions every now and then. I know Ben has already won two Super Bowls but lets face it one was when Bill Cowher and Jerome Bettis were retiring and that alone can will a team to victory and the other one was against the hapless Cardinals, who had no defense. The Packers are the first complete team the Steelers will face in quite a long time. The Packers will blitz more and more and try to knock big Ben down and will have some effectiveness. I hope that BJ Raji intercepts a pass for a touchdown again..you know you want to see that hula dance!
Prediction- Packers 35 Steelers 31
Prediction- Packers 35 Steelers 31
Position by Position Breakdown: 4-Defense
Year in and year out it has been said over and over that defense wins championship. This year is no different as Super Bowl 45 has two great defenses and both defenses rely heavily on the linebacking core as both play 3-4 type of defenses.
Defensive line- The edge here is easily given to the Green Bay Packers. BJ Raji is no doubt the best defensive lineman in the game and he is only in his second year. Can you say future Hall of Famer? Cullen Jenkins is a good complement to Raji as he is able to close quickly to the quarterback. For the Steelers Casey Hampton plays the nose tackle spot and he is a gritty veteran and is a great plugger for the A gap. If Hampton or Ziggy Hood can get pressure on Rodgers and throw his timing off then that will help out the secondary.
EDGE- Packers
Linebackers- This is a little tougher to predict who has the edge here. While the Packers have the best linebacking duo in A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews, there might not be a better group of linebackers than the Steelers Lamar Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, and James Harrison. If James Farrior was grouped with a Bart Scott or Adalius Thomas it would be a little easier to choose. The linebackers for both defense is what sets the tone for each defense with their hard hits on the opposing quarterback. Desmond Bishop and Erik Walden are the wildcards and if they play up to the level of a Timmons or Woodley then the Packers would have the edge but I cant just see that; therefore; The edge is a toss-up.
EDGE- Toss-up
Secondary- The Steelers have the defensive player of the year in Troy Polomolu playing safety while the Packers have the best corner, Charles Woodson. The thing with Polomolu is that he plays everywhere and doesnt just line up at safety. He could be three to fifteen yards off the ball when it is snapped...and good luck trying to stop him. As for the rest of each unit, the Packers got a nice surprise in Charlie Peprah and Tramon Williams this season as both of them have upped their level of play this year. The Steelers other secondary has been tested in the Super Bowl and with Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor leading the charge ill take the Steelers secondary over the Packers.
EDGE- Steelers
Defensive line- The edge here is easily given to the Green Bay Packers. BJ Raji is no doubt the best defensive lineman in the game and he is only in his second year. Can you say future Hall of Famer? Cullen Jenkins is a good complement to Raji as he is able to close quickly to the quarterback. For the Steelers Casey Hampton plays the nose tackle spot and he is a gritty veteran and is a great plugger for the A gap. If Hampton or Ziggy Hood can get pressure on Rodgers and throw his timing off then that will help out the secondary.
EDGE- Packers
Linebackers- This is a little tougher to predict who has the edge here. While the Packers have the best linebacking duo in A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews, there might not be a better group of linebackers than the Steelers Lamar Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, and James Harrison. If James Farrior was grouped with a Bart Scott or Adalius Thomas it would be a little easier to choose. The linebackers for both defense is what sets the tone for each defense with their hard hits on the opposing quarterback. Desmond Bishop and Erik Walden are the wildcards and if they play up to the level of a Timmons or Woodley then the Packers would have the edge but I cant just see that; therefore; The edge is a toss-up.
EDGE- Toss-up
Secondary- The Steelers have the defensive player of the year in Troy Polomolu playing safety while the Packers have the best corner, Charles Woodson. The thing with Polomolu is that he plays everywhere and doesnt just line up at safety. He could be three to fifteen yards off the ball when it is snapped...and good luck trying to stop him. As for the rest of each unit, the Packers got a nice surprise in Charlie Peprah and Tramon Williams this season as both of them have upped their level of play this year. The Steelers other secondary has been tested in the Super Bowl and with Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor leading the charge ill take the Steelers secondary over the Packers.
EDGE- Steelers
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