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Ten wishes for 2001
Posted: Sunday December 31, 2000 4:21 PM
By Tony Cordaro, CNNSI.com
It's hard to believe it's been six weeks since the end of the 2000 Winston Cup season, but I am already hungry for what '01 might have to offer.
Next week, Daytona roars to life once again. Engines will start to scream, wrenches will begin to twirl, and a flame suit will once again be the outfit of the day. Since I don't have a crystal ball, here is what I would like to see this coming year.
An eighth title for Dale Earnhardt Sr. Earnhardt had a great season in 2000, but fell just short of breaking the tie with Richard Petty at seven Winston Cup titles. Dale hasn't changed a bit. He gives no quarter and expects that none be given. It was a refreshing change last year when Jeremy Mayfield bumped Earnhardt out of the way for the win at Pocono, but in typical Earnhardt fashion he held no grudge and made no whine to the media.
If Earnhardt can't get the title, then I hope Mark Martin does. Mark is a truly classy person. Despite his bad luck last season you never heard an excuse. Martin has said that by the middle of this decade his driving career will be over. It would be nice to see Martin standing in victory lane on a cold November Sunday in Atlanta getting his first career title.
I hope for more races like the one at Talladega. Last year, the cry of "boring" was heard loud and long in racing circles, but the Talladega race in October was something to behold. Any race that has 39 lead changes and few caution flags is always good, but the hard race to the checkers was something special.
For once I would like to see someone build a track that looks more like Bristol, and less like Miami. Short-track racing was the backbone of NASCAR once upon a time and somehow they have gotten away from that. I don't understand why people building new tracks keep copying the same blueprint. If anyone is planning on building a track, please take a look at the tapes from the past few night races at Bristol. Pay particular attention to the 100,000 people in the stands and the great racing on the track.
I would like to see Ray Evernham back in victory lane. Evernham has been building the Dodge racing program for more than a year now. With his knowledge and guile that should spell some kind of success. While no one expects Dodge to compete for the title this year, it would be nice for them to have just one trophy to put in the trophy case.
I would love to see Kyle Petty win a race. The Petty family had a rough year in 2000, but they still smiled, they still held the sport on high and they held onto their beliefs. Kyle is one of the nicest drivers in the garage area and he hasn't been to victory lane since '95. It would be nice to see that smile holding a trophy one more time. You know that somewhere Adam would be smiling also.
My final hope is for safety. I would like to see a year without ambulances on the track. For Adam, Kenny, and Tony, here's hoping that no families have to part with a loved one this year.
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