Well it was a snowy weekend, but the Atlantic City Indoor Races still went on as scheduled! This year's race was a lot more exciting, and many believe it was due to some of the changes that were made to the layout of the track. There were still several cautions and some scary moments, but there was lots of side by side racing. It was interesting seeing the mix of drivers in the field, including some of the Northeast's top Micro Sprint and TQ Midget drivers, a few NASCAR modified drivers and even a multi-time Indy 500 competitor! It was my first time using my Flip Video and I love it! I got some great shots from the pre-race "FanFest" and compiled them together. The videos are up at http://www.youtube.com/ajcrdstr24. Also, photos from the Motorsports 2010 show can been viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2049140&id=37801386&l=aefe0df5fa.
Now the focus has shifted to Daytona Speedweeks. It looks like Hendrick Motorsports is the team to beat once again. I may be biased since I'm a fan of them, but I think this is the year Jeff Gordon becomes a 4-time Daytona 500 champion. If not, then it could be Jimmie Johnson with his second Daytona 500 victory. Don't count out the Childress cars either, and my underdog picks are David Reutimann or Marcos Ambrose. The sentimental pick would be fast qualifier Mark Martin. No doubt he will have a front running car, but it would be great to see him pull off the victory.
The Nationwide Series looks like it will be another dose of "Cup Lite" this year. I haven't seen an entry list yet, but the Gibbs cars are most likely the favorites, but my pick is whoever is in the KHI #33. I think it's going to be Kevin Harvick, but it could be Tony Stewart or Ryan Newman.
The Truck Series should be exciting this year with a bunch of new teams coming in, but I believe it will be another battle between Ron Hornaday and Todd Bodine, with Hornaday coming out on top this time for KHI and new crew chief Dave Fuge. Surprisingly, Hornaday has never won a Truck race at Daytona.
Lastly, I'd like to say kudos to a team from my neck of the woods as Lebanon, PA's Bobby Gerhart won his sixth Daytona ARCA 200 Saturday. He has Daytona down to a science and seems to be one of the nicest guys in the garage area. In fact, he was one of the first drivers I ever met when I moved to PA at the age of five.
As for me, it looks like I'll be spectating from the couch the next few months. No travels planned, except for a poker tournament in late February in Myerstown, PA. However, I might venture out in the Spring weather to one of my local tracks in April, perhaps Big Diamond Raceway near Pottsville, PA. In May I plan to travel down South for the first time in 2010, but haven't decided where yet. The good thing is there are many options for where to go in May when it comes to short track racing!
