NASCAR's Sprint Cup cars will be hitting the Daytona International Speedway on February 7 for what is still known as the Bud Shootout (rumours are still flying that Coors might become the new sponsor but they have not been confirmed).
It has been a long wait for NASCAR fans who really missed the pre-season testing sessions like it was in the years past. And though there will be a new format for the Shootout, we will still learn a lot of new information about the upcoming season and the start of the official 2009 Sprint Cup season on February 15, the Daytona 500.
But NASCAR is more than just the Sprint Cup. On Friday evening of February 13, the Camping World Truck series will also get under way. Superstitious about a Friday 13th? Then have a look at the Nationwide series getting under way the next day, Saturday 14th. Much will be learned once again that afternoon.
Though times are not easy in the United States, many new teams will be coming on board, some just for a few races, others for the whole season. Expect veterans like Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer to fight it off again all year long. But also, expect to see new people on board like Larry Foyt who will be driving Chevy No 56, Justin Allgaier who will handle the No 12 Dodge for the Penske Racing team aiming at a Rookie of the Year championship.
Young Michael Annett will be driving the No 15 Germain Racing Camry while Paul Menard who just joined the Yates Racing organisation will race at least 16 events in a new No 98 Ford. Tony Stewart? He will begin the season by driving a Hendrick Chevrolet at Daytona.
Kerry Earnhardt, Dale's older brother, will be back during the season and David Reutimann will drive Braun's No 10 Camry for at least four races. Scott Speed will be behind the wheel of the Michael Waltrip No 99 Camry for a few races too while a new race team, Cardinal Motorsport, will present a Chevrolet driven by Peyton Sellers, the former Whelen All American champ.
Patrick Carpentier even told us he was expecting to run some Nationwide races, surely the Montreal event. Jason Keller will be back with his legendary No 27 Ford, this time with Ernie Elliott engines. Finally, NASCAR will allow more practice time for both the Camping World and Nationwide series before the Daytona races.
And who said nothing was happening during the off-season? Can't wait? See you at the races!
photo:NASCAR - Getty Images
It has been a long wait for NASCAR fans who really missed the pre-season testing sessions like it was in the years past. And though there will be a new format for the Shootout, we will still learn a lot of new information about the upcoming season and the start of the official 2009 Sprint Cup season on February 15, the Daytona 500.
But NASCAR is more than just the Sprint Cup. On Friday evening of February 13, the Camping World Truck series will also get under way. Superstitious about a Friday 13th? Then have a look at the Nationwide series getting under way the next day, Saturday 14th. Much will be learned once again that afternoon.
Though times are not easy in the United States, many new teams will be coming on board, some just for a few races, others for the whole season. Expect veterans like Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer to fight it off again all year long. But also, expect to see new people on board like Larry Foyt who will be driving Chevy No 56, Justin Allgaier who will handle the No 12 Dodge for the Penske Racing team aiming at a Rookie of the Year championship.
Young Michael Annett will be driving the No 15 Germain Racing Camry while Paul Menard who just joined the Yates Racing organisation will race at least 16 events in a new No 98 Ford. Tony Stewart? He will begin the season by driving a Hendrick Chevrolet at Daytona.
Kerry Earnhardt, Dale's older brother, will be back during the season and David Reutimann will drive Braun's No 10 Camry for at least four races. Scott Speed will be behind the wheel of the Michael Waltrip No 99 Camry for a few races too while a new race team, Cardinal Motorsport, will present a Chevrolet driven by Peyton Sellers, the former Whelen All American champ.
Patrick Carpentier even told us he was expecting to run some Nationwide races, surely the Montreal event. Jason Keller will be back with his legendary No 27 Ford, this time with Ernie Elliott engines. Finally, NASCAR will allow more practice time for both the Camping World and Nationwide series before the Daytona races.
And who said nothing was happening during the off-season? Can't wait? See you at the races!
photo:NASCAR - Getty Images