HJ Sports Blog

Ok, after a brief break, NASCAR is back in action. After witnessing the shootout and qualifying, I have mixed impressions.

First, Toyota may have figured it out. If you remember last season, Toyota teams like Michael Waltrip put all their stock into trying to get into Daytona, and most failed miserably. This season, three Toyotas made the top six in qualifying, with Waltrip starting on the outside pole. The resources that Joe Gibbs racing brought over and the money Toyota typically sinks into racing must have helped.

Second, it appears that Hendrick will dominate the sport again, which is not a good thing, by the way. Under the “I saw that coming” category, Dale Jr. won the shootout last weekend, and he will win at least five races this season. Look for him to have an outstanding season. Speaking of Hendrick, our favorite repeat winner is on the pole for the Super Bowl of racing. Jimmy Johnson has picked up right where he left off from last year. The question is, led by Johnson, will Hendrick dominate most races like they did last season. Nothing against them, but I hope not.