Drive forward, look back

As the new year begins, let’s take a look back at the stories and issues that captivated our attention, shall we?

Junior. Teresa. Bud. Pepsi. Farewell to the red #8 Bud car and DEI. Long live the #88 Amp/National Guard car and Rick Hendrick. The lady in black (isn’t it time to give that up yet? It's been almost 7 years) came off looking like something out of the Wizard of Oz, and I don’t mean Glinda the good witch.

And along that conversation, how’s the JR Nation coming to grips with having the glamour boys for teammates? I think we’re looking at a powerhouse, but I still see shirts proclaiming “8 Reasons I hate 24.” Will the rough and rugged Mr. Earnhardt fit in with the Armani suits? Off track, I’m not so sure. His demeanor, his party-boy image and (sorry to say) sometimes his command of grammar don’t necessarily fit with the slick, polished duo of Jimmie and Jeff. On track, given good equipment, I think he’ll be just fine.

Next issue. Teammates. We’ve already glanced at the 3J’s, now let’s turn our thoughts to JGR, Tony, Denny and Kyle. Interesting, and volatile combination. That’s three strong-minded, strong-willed and strong-opinionated men behind the wheel of a nearly two-ton car driving oh, anywhere from 90 to 200 miles per hour, depending on the weekend. I hope Joe and J.D. Gibbs know what they’re doing.

And more than teammates, business partners. Racing requires big money. That means taking on partners. Roush teams up with Fenway Sports. Ray Evernham sidles up with the the National Hockey League. DEI and Ginn still boggles my mind. As team owners need to come up with more cash, there will be more mergers.

Toyota. I’m still having issues with that. But JGR and Tony, Denny and Kyle will become the poster boys for Team Toyota. I’m looking for a much better showing from the Toyotas in 2008 with those three at the helm. And we KNOW Tony won’t drive anything he can’t win with. Gibbs has two seasons to make Toyota a winner with Tony, who’s contract will be up at the end of 2009 and there’s no extension yet.

While that leads to another foreign issue – the open wheel waltz. Juan Pablo has fared well. He’s not made any friends among the drivers with his on-track antics, manhandling of the cars and not understanding respect for other drivers, but he did win a race. Patrick Carpentier and Jacques Villeneuve have made a decent showing so far. Dario Franchitti will move up to the Sprint Cup (that name is another topic for another day), after a brief stint in the Busch, er, Nationwide Series (ditto on the topic).

No matter how you look at it all, 47 days to Daytona. Let’s hope for an exciting one, at least at the end. Although, you have to admit, it was pretty interesting at the finish in 2007, inches to win – poor Mark Martin. And Clint Bowyer made jaws drop, too.

Vroom, vroom, vroom, as the song says.

Bring it on NASCAR, bring it on.