Trouble hits DEI early in season

by Brant Thurmond, staff writer

The NASCAR NEXTEL CUP Series season is underway.
The drivers started their season off with the Daytona 500 on Feb.18. However, this year’s running of the 49th annual race was a little disappointing for the favorite drivers who have won in the past.

Some favorites for the race included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon.

Earnhardt Jr. finished 32nd after a wreck on lap 195 of the 202-lap race. Stewart was taken out of the race after being involved in a wreck on lap 152 and ended up finishing last. Gordon finished the race in the top 10.

But what impact does having a bad day on one of the biggest races of the season have on the favorite drivers picked to win the NEXTEL Cup? I believe that every driver is going to have ups and downs during the season. Maybe having a bad race at the start of the season will boost the driver and team’s motivation to do better and correct what went wrong during the early part of the season.  

Another did-not-finishended Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s day at the California Speedway after he blew an engine.  Junior said after the race “Its really disappointing. I know the guys at the shop that build the motors are really upset right now, and I just want them to keep their heads up, and we will figure it out.”

I think that DEI can make a comeback and finish the season by making the chase for the Cup in September.

The main thing is to do what they can and just compete for each race, rather than worry about the early mishaps at the beginning and make the chase for the cup. If a team can make the chase, then they have as much as a shot as anyone at the championship.