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Go! for speed stay for the fun and sun
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - My father and I have made the summertime pilgrimage here many times in search of sunsplashed beaches and NASCAR racing during the July Fourth weekend.
It's a relaxing vacation that gives us a chance to catch some waves during the day and watch three-wide racing at Daytona International Speedway in the evening. There's nothing like 43 cars roaring by at 190 mph, kicking dirt in your eyes and nearly blowing you off your feet.
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I pull for Dale Earnhardt Jr., but my dad, Howard, passionately roots for Florida-native Joe Nemechek. He sold Nemechek auto parts in the 1980s when he began his racing career on short tracks in Lakeland. Unfortunately, Nemechek has rewarded him with mostly forgettable finishes in NASCAR races ever since we started coming to this historic track in 1993.
While kicking back a few cold beverages at our tailgate before the race, we posed the question, "What would we do if Joe actually won?"
We never bothered to make any victory plans because that scenario was so outrageous.
Or was it?
Nemechek surprised us by qualifying fourth for the race on July 5, but quickly dropped to 30th by Lap 5. His car setup wasn't built for drafting with the large pack of cars, and he made extensive mechanical changes during the race. Nemechek pitted during nearly every caution and spent most of the race in the rear.
We gave him a subtle wave each time he passed by our seats, but we paid the most attention to Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon battling for the lead.
Nemechek was a distant memory when on the last lap, the pack in front of him compressed like an accordion and cars went spinning across the track. The crashing cars scattered just in time for Nemechek to dive to the bottom of the banking and escape the carnage. But it didn't matter as he rolled to an 18th-place finish.
Unimpressed by Nemechek's improved position and disgruntled over Kyle Busch's victory, my father muttered, "He's field-filler at its finest. He's the stuff they cram into hot dogs."
There was no reason for my dad to relish this typical poor finish. Maybe a little ketchup and mustard would go better with that disappointing dog.
Daytona International Speedway Facts
-Location: 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, Fla.
-Track length: 2.5 miles
-Banking in corners: 31 degrees
-Grandstand seating capacity - 168,000
-Total capacity - 200,000-plus
-First race at speedway: Feb. 22, 1959 won by Lee Petty
-Races: Daytona 500 (200 laps) and Coke Zero 400 (160 laps)
-Track record: Bill Elliott - 210.364 mph - Feb. 15, 1987
-2008 Daytona 500 pole speed: Jimmie Johnson - 187.075 mph - Feb. 10, 2008
-Daytona 500 grandstand ticket: $99 to $185
Jonesing for more speed? Check out Mike Jones' blog 'Jonesin' for Speed'.
