A few observations and questions from cool Daytona Beach, Fla.:

- I'd hate to be the son of the man who came to the infield wearing only a Goodyear Racing Eagle and suspenders.

- To commemorate the end of his Sprint Cup career, Michael Waltrip wants a piece of every Daytona wall.

- Jimmie Johnson had never won a Gatorade Duel and said it meant more to him than four Sprint Cup championships. No, he didn't.

- The new Daytona International Speedway flagstand looks like it stepped right out of an Austin Powers movie.

- The first qualifying race seemed over in a big hurry. The second lasted forever ... even though I was drowsy.

- If a stock car painted in red, white and blue, with stars and stripes, crashes, is it defacing the flag? And if it caught on fire, wouldn't it be cool if Rick Monday showed up to put it out?

- Are you aware of any walls that do not retain?