Click Here To Find Cool Nascar Items!

Finally, NASCAR is back on track, testing this week at Daytona. With that comes the first signs of the 2011 season. Yesterday we got to hear about Tony Stewart’s trip down under, Brian Vicker’s return, and our first look at the ever so slightly altered COT on track.

While we still have 30 days and counting until the Daytona 500, we’re about to get all the news and information we can handle for a while.

Today, NASCAR will hold its annual competition update, hopefully shedding some light on their plans for this season. Among some of the rumored changes is a replacement for the, at times, complicated Latford points system. According to an Associated Press report, NASCAR is considering a plan that would award 43 points to the top finishing driver and then one less point to each driver after that.

While that change may, or may not, occur, NASCAR had a great sounding board this week, with responses from drivers, fans and everyone in between. Something tells me, by the time many of you read this, we’ll have our answer.

Thankfully NASCAR has scheduled this on Friday so we’ll have the entire weekend to talk about (endlessly), and (over) analyze any changes that are made.

Then, starting Monday, the (wouldn’t you know it, branded) NASCAR Sprint Media Tour kicks off. It’s three days of the sport’s teams putting on their best face and rolling out their latest and greatest. Any news, announcements, paint schemes and personnel changes that we haven’t already heard about, or seen will likely take place between the kick off and next Thursday afternoon.

The tour boast 21 stops at race shops, the speedway, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and elsewhere. You can bet there will be at least a little news that comes out of it. You can follow it all on twitter (hashtag #mediatour), or any of your favorite NASCAR news sites.

While at this moment, I have no news to report, feel free to use this post as a discussion board as it comes rolling in over the next few days and week. Enjoy (I know I will)!

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Click Here To Find Cool Nascar Items!

With Christmas now behind us and New Years coming this week, the 2011 season will quickly be up on us.  Only eight weeks stand between us and the 2011 Daytona 500.  And teams know the clock is ticking.

This week between Christmas and the New Year is traditionally an off week for the teams.  While some will still have employees working, many shut their shops down almost completely.  It gives the crews and shop guys the chance to recharge and spend time with family and friends before preparations begin in earnest.  This week is literally the calm before the storm.

Starting on Monday, Jan. 3, the race is on.  From there, teams will have about six weeks until the haulers are due to pull into the Daytona infield for Speedweeks.  Many will be working long hours to prepare everything from race cars and haulers, to pit boxes and tool boxes for the long season ahead.  Teams will be running out of time to finish any remaining business deals, hire the last few needed employees, and do things like get firesuits and hero cards made.  This time is also used by many sponsors to film commercials and create their NASCAR centric ad campaigns for the season.

These next six weeks will also be the return to a normal training schedule for the pit crews.  As I’ve mentioned before, some teams have already begun getting their crews ready for the new style stops, but a regular schedule including practice and plenty of gym time will commence.  With many cold days still ahead of us, you can be sure the crews that practice outside will be ready for warmer climates come February.

For myself, I’m going to spend this quiet week relaxing and getting ready to have some fun with friends for New Years.  Come Monday however, it’s game on.  Daytona will be here before we know it and there is a lot to do.

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!