ANYBODY GET THE NUMBER OFF THAT CAR THAT WAS FASTEST IN PRACTICE ON FRIDAY

I was watching on the back stretch when a flurry of sand and mist blew up around me and it was almost like a flashback as it went by. Many years ago I was once again watching in almost the same spot when another car caught my attention as it whistled by. This car driver I had been on the Bullring tracks of the Carolinas and Ga.before with, but the car he was driving had a different determination about it this day .

This day back in the 80s had wild n fast driver out of North Carolina.trying to straighten out the tri Oval at Daytona.. This he did not do but he sat a blistering fast time trying his best.

You know Daytona has a lot of history built into it and if you are true to the sport you know there are a few names that will forever guard over the track.

Some may say Im full of B/S but you go down there on a quiet time at the track (if you can find it quiet) and listen.

We were down there a few years ago after the July race and was on the winners circle stage when out of the blue it was almost scary, a voice said I was standing in his spot. I looked around no one was with me but my grandson,he asked what was wrong. I asked him if he heard that and he said the wind was blowing but he didnt hear nothing.

I dropped that subject right there but that night and a few after I thought of the Drivers that are standing watch over Daytona.Some I knew but a couple I knew personally. One was from Alabama and the other was from North Carolina.

It seems I think of them kinda regular when I come the track.

Well back to this noise I heard on the back stretch Friday, you see that car was almost flying and it was like an unknown hand was placing that car on the track.

It seemed as another voice was cautioning the other on placement of the car. I slept on this Friday night and on the way home today I give it some thought.

The two voices I think I heard Friday were of two great friends who forever will live at Daytona, Dale Earnhardt and Neal Bonnett.It also sounded like Dale in a windy area that day on the winners circle in July. But back the current delima that was on the track.

That Black car was flying around the track (now dont go to any conclusions yet ). But there were several black cars out there which were fast.

But the one that was on a rail it seems was no other that That Black #3. The wind rustled differently as it passed and I swear there was a kinda glow to it, not bright but something different. As the news wrote "

It seemed like old times at Daytona International Speedway with the No. 3 Chevy on top of the speed chart.

However, it was the next generation of Richard Childress racer Austin Dillon securing the fastest speed of 195.108 mph during preseason testing on Friday. "

Now call me touched in the head if you wish but it was like Dale give it a special shove and Neal kept it off the wall.

But that boy is scary the was he handled Richard's car Friday. Only person that was near me was my wife and she asked me, "did you see something?"

wonder if anybody believes that the announced speed wasn't tweaked a bit for some publicity....This was fore casted a few days ahead by several folks, just wondering....

I've talked before about the painting that used to hang over the bar at the Rocking Ranch just outside of Daytona - hung up in 1981 - of Ralph Earnhardt looking down out of the clouds at Dale Earnhardt, Sr. driving our blue & yellow car at Daytona. Your words made me think of it today.

Whether it was being pushed by a helping hand or a heavy foot it was flying. I sure hope he doesn't overdrive and have a problem. I'm looking forward to the match up for rookie of the year between him and Kyle Larson. Should be a good one. These kids today are really something.

The Rockin'Ranch on S.Nova Rd. in Ormand Beach is still going strong as a country nite club. Might have to go by and see if the painting is still displayed.

Havent thought of that painting in a loooooog time. Not being biased but nite clubs arent on my agenda unless there is a real good reason to go inside.

Like I said that car was wicked fast from my position and the outcome will show during qualifying ......................................

I hope Austin doesn't ask Dale for any advice on how to win the race, he weren't much good at that. He could help with the 125 though.

I don't know but I'll still guarantee that the side vent is a decal. Leaving aside any aerodynamic or weight issues, a metal piece would be serious debris on the track if two cars rubbed together. They ran the same car all of last year and had no problems fitting the sponsor decals in that space. As you know, NASCAR dictates where each decal goes and how big it will be, so someone spent a lot of time to make sure it could be done.

Cool story Johnny. I hate to say it, but this is exactly what happened last year with Danica. First time in a Cup car at that track and she gets the pole at 196 mph and change. In fact, it was one of the fastest laps since the input of restrictor plates. Before then, the pole would be somewhere around 194-195 mph.

I think this year, with all the haters saying Austin doesn't deserve the 3, should be retired, etc NASCAR wants to show that the #3 can get it done. Maybe a 'tweaked' plate?

Just my opinion on the matter.

I can not believe that people would say that with as strict as Nascar is on specs - I SAY NOT but lets see how February plays out. As far as the number I say not , the 43 is still alive and its in Richards camp, the 3 is back out and its in RCR camp... In fact Childress raced it for years before Dale crawled inside a 3 car.. Both of the Legends numbers are out there running too... just saying

I didn't notice anyone here saying that the #3 should be retired. We're all aware of it's history. NASCAR is strict on inspections, but they are the ones handing out the restrictor plates. It wouldn't be very hard to hand out the "right" one when you needed a little publicity. NASCAR can't control the race closely enough to guarantee a story that will get a lot of press, but they can easily influence who is on the pole.

RCR has started the 500 in the top five only three times since 2001, so we don't automatically assume they can put up a fast car. However,, they started 3rd last year. They've only finished in the top five four times since 2001, the last time was five years ago. We don't have enough information to compare Dillon to Harvick directly, but I would be surprised if he is better at this point in his career. Next year, yes he may be. I think Harvick got a little too comfortable and a little too old. But this is the Daytona 500, and it's a race where the unexpected happens.

People talking trash are not necessarily putting down Dillon, many of them, like myself, are suspicious of NASCAR and think they sometimes regulate the sport for good press instead of good racing.

Andy I was responding to Cody's post .. Nothing out there in stone on this that I know of.

Talking about restrictor plates....itiskind of strange that even though NASCAR distributesevenplates....that they have officials guard the toolbox at all times. They are all in a individual numbered drawer from what I heard.

Like you said, I'm not putting down NASCAR or Austin Dillion. I'd like to see both succeed. It's just that in my opinion....NASCAR is going to help car #3, atleast at Daytona.