The NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers will begin testing for the prestigious Daytona 500 on January 8th with the exception of Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon.
On January 8th, NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers will begin testing for the Daytona 500 except for Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon who apparently have more important things to do. Gordon will be competing in the Dakar Rally from January 6th to the 21st, and I am still unclear as to why Stewart is not participating.
This component of Daytona Speedweeks is less than exciting for the drivers, however it officially marks the entrance into the 2007 campaign.
In my humble opinion, appearing at these monotonous tests is a sign of commitment to your team and the job. Now, I'm not trying to imply that Tony Stewart or Robby Gordon are not committed, but their appearance at these tests would further display their leadership roles on their respective teams. Yeah, I know that Stewart has led more laps than anyone at the 2.5 mile super speedway since 2004, and could contend for the win blindfolded, and he will get his pre-race seat time in the Budweiser Shootout, but this test is a part of the job. Instead, Mike McLaughlin will replace Stewart and P.J. Jones will replace Gordon.
Gordon, on the other hand, is the owner of the team, therefore he is the leader, the bossman. He should be the one representing his company, leading by example. His team is fielding a new manufacturer (Ford), and running a new engine package (Yates/Roush). Shouldn't that give him some extra incentive to be at the track guiding his young team? And unlike Stewart and the 20 team, Gordon is not exactly considered as a threat to win the Great American Race.
What would NASCAR do if more and more drivers decided that Daytona testing was insignificant? What if Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, etc. had field fillers doing their job?
The first test is scheduled for January 8th to the 10th and will include Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Ricky Rudd, Bobby Labonte, and Dale Jarrett. And oh yeah, Mike McLaughlin and P.J. Jones.
The second test is schedule for January 15th to the 17th and will include Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Mark Martin.
