Kansas....What's up with that?

Can you tell I'm not a big fan of "Cookie-Cutter" tracks? I mean, Kansas? Is that really one of the best 10 tracks on the circuit? How about a road course, Daytona, or Darlington. This is after all The Chase.

I know many people don't like change but why can't we mix the schedule up. While I know not all change is good, I think mixing up the schedule to save the best races for the end of the year would be a great idea. Even throw in a wild card like a Rockingham to mix things up. What's the change Nascar is brewing up for Kansas? How about adding a second date for 2011, when a new casino will be nearby.

Kansas Speedway's grandstands hold 82,000. Let's say today's attendance is 70,000 at the track. With a casino certainly bringing in more people to the track, a question remains. What would bring in more revenue? An extra 5,000 bums in the seats at Kansas or a 5 point increase in TV ratings?

If Nascar were to add a third Daytona race during The Chase, add another Darlington race-- change the status quo--more of the moderate Nascar fan would tune in for the entire race, rather than tune in between NFL commerical breaks. And for you Jayhawks out there, I don't hate your track, I just don't think it's Chase-worthy.

I hope I'm wrong today and the race is competitive. I just see the same 3 cars running away with it and there being no real competition.

derrick@speedwayinsider.com

Ganassi Wins Again

With the checkered flag dropping at the Sunchaser 1000k, Ganassi has clinched its third Daytona Prototype championship. The hat trick puts Ganassi in the driver seat to win it all again in 2009. With the Rolex 24 only a few months away, it will be a short break before the drivers are back at it again.

As I did last year, I plan on going to Daytona for winter testing. I personally enjoy all of the events at Daytona, and will do my best to bring you all the latest news from the mother of all speedways.

Stay tuned for more news throughout the winter.

Derrick from SpeedwayInsider.com