Daytona opener should be a doozy
20.05.12
It can't be done. Not entirely. Not without banning it, and that's easier said than done. Even if they did, NASCAR officials fear it would ruin the Daytona 500.
That's the problem. NASCAR is coming off the most remarkable championship finish in the sport's history.
The excitement from Tony Stewart 's edging Carl Edwards for the Sprint Cup crown was a huge momentum boost for NASCAR, likely bringing interest from fresh eyeballs curious to see what this stuff is all about.
NASCAR wants to capitalize on that final-race drama of 2011 and keep things rolling to start 2012, so beginning the season with the biggest event of the year is better than ever.
Or is it? Rolling out a dud at Daytona would kill the momentum gained off a thrilling Chase in 2011. That's why this test, more than most January tests, was so important. NASCAR has to get this right and take full advantage of the opportunity.
And surveys show that two-by-two racing is not the way to do it. Most fans don't like it. But it's like the drunken uncle who shows up every Christmas: He's not going away, so you have to make the best of it. The same is true for tandem racing.
Source: ESPN