One on-track death equals major changes, especially if that death is seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt.
A year after "The Intimidator" died in a last-lap crash of the Daytona 500, Winston Cup returns for the Great American Race without its status icon, but with a renewed focus on safety. Among the changes:
Drivers must wear head and neck restraints.
Crews must install seat belts and harnesses by the book.
All cars must carry "black box" data recorders.
NASCAR also now has a full-time crash investigator, medical liaisons and a medical oversight board. And more new technology is on the way. The Research and Development Center that opened in Hickory, N.C., in the fall has already become too small; a bigger building is being erected in Concord, N.C.
It's a new season -- and a new NASCAR, for that matter. And judging from the Twin 125s, the racing is just like we remember it: fast and furious. Kudos to NASCAR for stepping up the safety initiative while keeping the on-track product fan-friendly.
Jimmy Spencer
Said Spencer, who will miss his first race since the 1995 Daytona 500: "I'll probably be hitting the golf ball. I didn't lose nothing. I won't be watching the race, I'll be at home."
Terry Labonte
In 2001, two-time Cup champ Labonte was the only driver in the top 40 in the final standings -- and the only driver who competed in all 36 races -- who failed to lead a lap.
Shawna Robinson
Robinson will be just the second woman to start the Daytona 500. Janet Guthrie was the first in 1977. Guthrie also was the most recent, having competed in 1980.
"Smokey" Yunick
The family of famed engine builder Yunick is having a garage sale in Daytona Beach, selling off relics of his 40-year engine-building career. He died in May of leukemia.
Flattery
A recent survey showed the sport picked up 12 million new adult fans in 2001, and a NASCAR-commissioned poll says an estimated 40 million Americans are "hard-core" fans.
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One-time Cup champ Rusty Wallace is not only the winningest NASCAR driver (54) without a Daytona 500 victory, but he also is winless in restrictor-plate races (56 total).
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California natives Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick, both 26, had never even been in the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing." Yet they will start 1-2, respectively, Sunday afternoon.
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Active drivers with the most Daytona 500 starts without winning it: Dave Marcis (32, the record), Ricky Rudd (24), Terry Labonte (23), Kyle Petty (20), Rusty Wallace (19) and Mark Martin (17).
After dominating the 1990s -- Dale Earnhardt won every 125-miler he entered at Daytona -- Richard Childress Racing is 1-for-6 since 2000. Mike Skinner, now driving for Morgan-McClure, has the only victory (2001).
Petty family bobble-head dolls are for sale, with $10 from each sale going to Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp in honor of the late Adam Petty. The sets include Lee Petty, Richard Petty, Kyle and Adam.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 people are expected to spend the weekend living in the infield at Daytona. Reserved RV parking costs $1,060, while car or truck parking -- and then set up a tent -- costs $50.
It's estimated about 100,000 fans will be tuned into scanners, privy to every word said between a driver and his team at the Daytona. "Just remember: This ain't church," says crew chief-turned-driver Kirk Shelmerdine.
Truck series: Florida Dodge Dealers 250 -- 1 p.m. EST Friday (ESPN): 250 miles, 100 laps. 2001 pole winner: Joe Ruttman. 2001 winner: Ruttman.
Busch series: EAS/GNC Live Well 300 -- 1 p.m. Saturday (TNT): 300 miles, 120 laps. 2001 pole winner: Joe Nemechek. 2001 winner: Randy LaJoie.
Winston Cup series: Daytona 500 -- 12:30 p.m. EST Sunday (NBC): 500 miles, 200 laps. 2001 pole winner: Bill Elliott. 2001 winner: Michael Waltrip.
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