The 2011 NASCAR season hasn't even started yet, and NASCAR fandom is already in a high lather about the strangeness of the two-car duels at Saturday night's Bud Shootout. Here's a quick roundup of some of the notes we received by email at nascarmail@yahoogroups.com and on Twitter at @jaybusbee. Feel free to add your own take to the mix; this story isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
First, we present our own take from the track Saturday night:
Yes, I jumped around a lot. It was cold. And now your comments. First, a roundup of Twitter reactions to our inquiry:
@RedRosete: I loved the Bumperbuddy Shootout....oh, sorry, I meant the Budweiser Shootout
@NASCARVegas: the racing rocked. Lived the new daytona [I'm assuming that's 'loved']
@jeffinroswell: It was cool. Will be interesting to see how engines and brakes hold up over 500 miles of this type of racing.
@Hammer_Hands: First time in 50 years I've been nervous watching a #NASCAR race
@BSargentOKC: It was exciting for the first 25 laps, However, I prefer larger pack racing because there is more jostling among drivers.
@d160010: It was freakin' awesome! Loved the excitement from drop of the green to the checker! Best shootout in recent history!
Next, some email reactions that are considerably less charitable:
It is VERY clear that the drivers, crews, owners and especially media have been coached by NASCAR and it's VERY clear that this Daytona 500 is a make or break race for this beleaguered sport. If the Bud Shootout is any indication, NASCAR may want to pack it up and try go karts.
That was the most atrocious racing I have ever seen at Daytona. Good grief, I was praying for a pot hole. You can't tell me that 2 at a time racing is what NASCAR was hoping for. You can't tell me that this isn't sending the powers that be in New York [Ed. note: New York?] into an absolute franetic tizzy.
For a sport teetering on the edge, apparently commited to the made-for-TV Chase that no one watches on TV, the Bud Shootout should send chills through everyone drawing a paycheck from NASCAR. If the Daytona 500 looks anything like the Bud Shootout, NASCAR may never recover.
— John Joseph
Laguna Niguel, CA
Well, if NASCAR was doing any coaching, I must've missed that session. Which is possible. I have a tendency to go out and go souvenir shopping when at the track.
Not quite ready to declare the apocalypse is nigh, but yes, NASCAR desperately needs a quality 500 this year.
That was horrible, sitting and watching what we have waited for all winter to be turned into a practice race. We the fans did NOT ask for this kind of racing. It was boring, uneventful, and a downright letdown. If the Daytona 500 is a 2x2 car race, I'll be playing Wii before the first 50 laps are complete. Sad, sad, sad ... the hype was good, we were ready, then somebody RAINED on our PARADE.
— Pam Henson
Well, the Bud Shootout IS a "practice race." But I get your point; anticipation turned into a letdown can be rough. Hopefully next Sunday's race lifts your spirits. It's important to note that this was a confluence of unique circumstances; see here for more on why you shouldn't abandon NASCAR just yet.
Follow Jay Busbee on Twitter at @jaybusbee and The Marbles on Facebook for constant updates from Daytona's Speedweeks.
Drea de Matteo Trista Rehn Moon Bloodgood Kristin Kreuk Molly Sims
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