If you're a fan, its that time of year again.  Time for the super bowl of racing, the Daytona 500.  I love the fact that my favorite sport has the longest season (only 3 months off).  The field is shuffled by the economy, with teams losing sponsorships and laying people off.  Nascar is closer to its roots with more of a racing to be able to continue to race feel, and less of a feel of too many competitors trying to race every week.  I get the feeling that by mid season, they may be back at the point where there is a struggle to field a full field of 43 cars.  The bad economy is also a boon to the average fan.  Tickets are historically hard to come by, particularly at popular venues like Charlotte and Richmond.  This year, however, even Richmond has lowered prices to accomodate fans.  Richmond is normally sold out fairly early. 
    This is the one sport where the fans pick an individual and cheer for him (No offense golf, but only Tiger Woods draws huge galleries).  This is one sport where your favorite person can compete for 20-30 years.  It's the one sport where fans get to get in and watch the teams prepare their equipment and practice before an event.  The only sport where the superstars sign autographs and pose for pictures at every event.  This, my friends is the american past time.  Where people can get together, have a beer and a brat and watch / listen to pure power.  A sport where the son of the man who took the sport to a whole new level is by far the most popular, although he has yet to win a championship.  Make no mistake about who my favorite driver is, and starting next Sunday, I'll be glad to hear Darrel Waltrip say "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity...Let's go Racing Boys!!!"