The 2013 Daytona 500
Current NASCAR
The promo machine was in overdrive, and it was successful, but probably more akin to a one-hit wonder. The racing's got to improve, and Danica will not be the sensation as the tour slugs forward at Phoenix, Vegas, Bristol, etc. etc. Fortunately, for Daytona, the 'Gen-6' car was a curiosity and was milked to the max, as was Danica-mania. But, again, it all worked, and I found myself pulling for her. (Mr. 5-time does not move the needle, at least for me, and generates very little promotional ummph) Danica drove a very impressive race: ran top 10 all day, pit stops OK, and was definitely in a position to win in the closing laps..... (IMO) she could have won.
I was internet-listening to the Nationwide race on MRN, (could NOT find it on a radio station) and the severity of the last-lap crash was also downplayed. Reading between the lines, one could tell it was very VERY serious. Injured fans is worse case scenario, and to me, thatwas the weekend's major story