A Race Fan's Christmas Wish List
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12/03/2015 J. L. Steele |
I know at this writing, there are still 23 shopping days until Christmas. In looking over my list for NASCAR Santa from a year ago, I'm pretty happy with what I got versus what I asked for so I'm starting earlier this year. I have some pretty major requests so I'm hoping by making my Christmas wishes known this early, I can get even better results.
Last year, I asked for Martin Truex, Jr. to get a win. He certainly did that and much more. Hopefully he and the Furniture Row team can build on 2015 and be a title contender again in the coming season. I also requested a quick resolution to the Kurt Busch/Patricia Driscoll fiasco and all things considered, I'd say that went about as well as we could have hoped for. In hindsight, it appears my biggest request from a year ago came closer to happening than a lot of fans might have expected. Jeff Gordon didn't win the championship but his run at a final title certainly was exciting for the sport.
For this upcoming season, I'd like to ask for a thrilling Rookie of the Year battle between Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. It certainly has that possibility, with all the elements to get fans' attention; Ford vs. Chevy, Wood Brothers vs. Hendrick. Without putting undue pressure on either driver, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if either or both of them get a win in 2016. Regardless of who ultimately wins the award, I think all fans can agree the future of NASCAR looks bright with these two talents joining the ranks.
Speaking of new talent, I'm going to ask for a solid season for Jeffrey Earnhardt. The odds are long that he'll have much of a chance in the Rookie of the Year battle but a solid season would be great not only for him, but for Go FAS Racing. Fans love a good underdog story so wouldn't it be great if this team could earn some much needed solid finishes?
I asked for this last year and didn't get it so I'm going to try again. How about a competitive season for Tony Stewart? We saw Jeff Gordon return to championship level form this past season in his last year. Wouldn't it be great if at a minimum, Tony was competitive and vying for wins? It might sound greedy to ask that he make another title run but if he can pick up at least a win, hey who knows? It's sad to see legends quietly fade away. If anyone in the recent era of NASCAR deserves to leave near the top of his game, it's Tony.
Here's another request I'm going to carry over from last year's list. This one is truly unselfish since I've never been a fan of the teams, but can we find a way to make Roush Racing competitive again? It's obviously good for the sport to have as many teams racing for wins and Chase spots as possible. To see how far this organization has fallen, has just been sad, embarrassing really. As miserable as 2014 was for them, 2015 was even worse. I'd like to see them turn things around for the betterment of the sport.
Santa, if you have any love for this sport at all, find a way to let some of the non-big money teams find wins and Chase spots. We all loved seeing A.J. Allmendinger and Aric Almirola make The Chase in 2014 but we didn't get to see that kind of result this past season. Since I'm asking for that, let me push my luck and ask for that type of season for Casey Mears and Almirola in '16. Mears for the loyalty he and Germain Racing have shown to each other and Almirola because he drives for The King and no one can ever be disappointed when the 43 wins a race. Feel free to include any other underdog teams and drivers you'd like to surprise us with as well.
Last year, I didn't ask for anything relating to the Xfinity Series so I don't feel bad making requests for those teams and drivers. First, can we please find a way to limit or eliminate the Cup drivers from those races? I don't listen to those who spout, "They're good for ticket sales" and, "It's good for Xfinity drivers to race against them" because the only people who say that are fans of those Cup drivers. If they for some reason have to run in that series, let's find a way not to pay any purse money to them. That way we can find out pretty quickly who's doing it for "the love of the sport."
I have just two more smaller requests in the Xfinity Series that I really hope Santa can put a bow on even though I admit both of these Christmas wishes are selfish since I personally like both of these drivers and can attest to the fact that they're both great guys. First, let's get Ryan Sieg competing for top 10's and maybe an occasional win. Anyone who watches the series knows he and his family owned RSS Racing epitomize what the Xfinity Series used to be about; smaller, underfunded teams giving their all and making a name for themselves. Ryan's proven he can drive and I'd love to see this year's 11th place points finish catapult him into greater success. Besides, if you've ever met his dad/owner Rod Sieg, you'd know he'll be one heck of a fun guy to watch in Victory Lane.
The other seasonal wish I have is for Ryan Ellis. If you've ever watched him on the track while listening to his team radio, you know this guy can drive. He just needs a chance to show it in better equipment. I hope he gets the opportunity in 2016 to run a full season and show the talent and potential he truly has. He's as humble and gracious as any driver I've met in the last several years. As a matter of fact, if this Christmas wish can come true, I promise I'll no wish list this time next year.
I know Santa can't control the rain so I'll ask another Power for some help with that in 2016. Otherwise, if I can do as well with this year's list as I did with last year's I'll be more than content. Christmas is the time of hope and my biggest hope is that all drivers, crews and fans stay safe and healthy not only through the holidays but throughout the coming year.
Last year, I asked for Martin Truex, Jr. to get a win. He certainly did that and much more. Hopefully he and the Furniture Row team can build on 2015 and be a title contender again in the coming season. I also requested a quick resolution to the Kurt Busch/Patricia Driscoll fiasco and all things considered, I'd say that went about as well as we could have hoped for. In hindsight, it appears my biggest request from a year ago came closer to happening than a lot of fans might have expected. Jeff Gordon didn't win the championship but his run at a final title certainly was exciting for the sport.
For this upcoming season, I'd like to ask for a thrilling Rookie of the Year battle between Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. It certainly has that possibility, with all the elements to get fans' attention; Ford vs. Chevy, Wood Brothers vs. Hendrick. Without putting undue pressure on either driver, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if either or both of them get a win in 2016. Regardless of who ultimately wins the award, I think all fans can agree the future of NASCAR looks bright with these two talents joining the ranks.
Speaking of new talent, I'm going to ask for a solid season for Jeffrey Earnhardt. The odds are long that he'll have much of a chance in the Rookie of the Year battle but a solid season would be great not only for him, but for Go FAS Racing. Fans love a good underdog story so wouldn't it be great if this team could earn some much needed solid finishes?
I asked for this last year and didn't get it so I'm going to try again. How about a competitive season for Tony Stewart? We saw Jeff Gordon return to championship level form this past season in his last year. Wouldn't it be great if at a minimum, Tony was competitive and vying for wins? It might sound greedy to ask that he make another title run but if he can pick up at least a win, hey who knows? It's sad to see legends quietly fade away. If anyone in the recent era of NASCAR deserves to leave near the top of his game, it's Tony.
Here's another request I'm going to carry over from last year's list. This one is truly unselfish since I've never been a fan of the teams, but can we find a way to make Roush Racing competitive again? It's obviously good for the sport to have as many teams racing for wins and Chase spots as possible. To see how far this organization has fallen, has just been sad, embarrassing really. As miserable as 2014 was for them, 2015 was even worse. I'd like to see them turn things around for the betterment of the sport.
Santa, if you have any love for this sport at all, find a way to let some of the non-big money teams find wins and Chase spots. We all loved seeing A.J. Allmendinger and Aric Almirola make The Chase in 2014 but we didn't get to see that kind of result this past season. Since I'm asking for that, let me push my luck and ask for that type of season for Casey Mears and Almirola in '16. Mears for the loyalty he and Germain Racing have shown to each other and Almirola because he drives for The King and no one can ever be disappointed when the 43 wins a race. Feel free to include any other underdog teams and drivers you'd like to surprise us with as well.
Last year, I didn't ask for anything relating to the Xfinity Series so I don't feel bad making requests for those teams and drivers. First, can we please find a way to limit or eliminate the Cup drivers from those races? I don't listen to those who spout, "They're good for ticket sales" and, "It's good for Xfinity drivers to race against them" because the only people who say that are fans of those Cup drivers. If they for some reason have to run in that series, let's find a way not to pay any purse money to them. That way we can find out pretty quickly who's doing it for "the love of the sport."
I have just two more smaller requests in the Xfinity Series that I really hope Santa can put a bow on even though I admit both of these Christmas wishes are selfish since I personally like both of these drivers and can attest to the fact that they're both great guys. First, let's get Ryan Sieg competing for top 10's and maybe an occasional win. Anyone who watches the series knows he and his family owned RSS Racing epitomize what the Xfinity Series used to be about; smaller, underfunded teams giving their all and making a name for themselves. Ryan's proven he can drive and I'd love to see this year's 11th place points finish catapult him into greater success. Besides, if you've ever met his dad/owner Rod Sieg, you'd know he'll be one heck of a fun guy to watch in Victory Lane.
The other seasonal wish I have is for Ryan Ellis. If you've ever watched him on the track while listening to his team radio, you know this guy can drive. He just needs a chance to show it in better equipment. I hope he gets the opportunity in 2016 to run a full season and show the talent and potential he truly has. He's as humble and gracious as any driver I've met in the last several years. As a matter of fact, if this Christmas wish can come true, I promise I'll no wish list this time next year.
I know Santa can't control the rain so I'll ask another Power for some help with that in 2016. Otherwise, if I can do as well with this year's list as I did with last year's I'll be more than content. Christmas is the time of hope and my biggest hope is that all drivers, crews and fans stay safe and healthy not only through the holidays but throughout the coming year.