Matt Kenseth's Rain Win and What I Thought About The Show

Last night I woke up with the flu. I had been feeling not quite right so I got up at around 4 am. I tuned into the Daytona Nationwide race repeat again and then from about 5 a.m. on SPEED had nothing but Daytona coverage.

I was fine with that. I'm laid out on the couch passing out here and there. I finally got to the FOX pre-race show and it was OK... nothing new.. well, not too much new.

They're using the same theme song from last year that annoyed my wife a lot. But I have to wonder if they're worried about their TV ratings.

Did you notice the mock victory lane celebrations in the show opening and the driver is surrounded by four really nice looking young girls in tight tee-shirts and short shorts? It's getting cheap about the lot... though I am not complaining.

Then there was the line that DW tossed out there about Chris Myers:

Chris is from Hollywood Fl., lives in Hollywood, CA; works in the Hollywood Hotel and works with Hollywood Hammond.

I bet he thought he was funny. I didn't. Someone said that exact thing on SIRIUS Satellite Radio a few weeks ago. Bad move DW... if you're using writers, they need to be fired. If you did that, you need writers.

But when they got to the animated schtick of Digger and friends, I lost it. They wasted my time with that stupidity and I just left the show.

I like the premise that they named the techonology they use to film from under the track surface as Digger. Cute. But giving it a comic book and cartoon that we have to suffer through just put me over the edge. I left and didn't come back until the green flag. Now maybe my patience is a little thin because I'm sick but I've had it with Digger. Cute, but intolerable. Don't shove that crap down my throat. Let me go find it for myself. UPDATE: See What The Digger Camera Looks Like.

As I wrap up this article, they're under a rain delay with 48 laps to go. If anyone has looked at weather.com and seen the radar, they've got at least an hour of rain and it looks heavy at times. Give it up folks. It looks like Matt Kenseth has this one in the bag. The wet paper bag.

Ah, just as I finished that paragraph, the race was called. There is some sense. Now I don't have to sit around in the rain delay.

I hate a non-racing win, but it is what it is. Right gang?

500 Front Row Set

Martin Truex Jr. and Mark Martin are on the front row of the Daytona 500.

In both of these x-DEI drivers cases, the change would appear to have done them well.

Truex didn't leave DEI. DEI merged with Ganassi, now EGR, I can't help but think this helped boost Truex to the pole position. (His 2nd in this race) Yet, DEI always had a grip on restrictor racing and maybe this was a boost for Ganassi.

With Mark Martin having left DEI for the Hendrick stable, this too looks like Martin is benefiting from the change as this is his first career front row start.

All good moves for both it would seem. BTW: Ryan Newman made an impressive appearance, being third in the qualifying sprints. It looks like Bill Elliott may be locked into the race also, per the FOX telecast.

Image cr: Getty Images for NASCAR

Special Daytona 500 Ticket Prices

A limited number of tickets in select areas on the famed Superstretch for the 51st annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15 will be rolled back from $99 to $55, Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig announced.

The $55 ticket price for the Daytona 500 is the lowest ticket price for "The Great American Race" since 1995.

"The roll back of ticket prices in select areas for the Daytona 500 is a significant and important step for race fans," Braig said. "These are challenging times for everyone and we hope that these adjustments in ticket prices will make it more affordable for race fans to witness the excitement and pageantry of the Daytona 500 in person.

"And even though these are tough times, this is a great opportunity for race fans to attend 'The Great American Race.' Along with the rollback in ticket prices, parking is always free, race fans can continue to bring their coolers with food and beverages and we've worked with area hotels to make their stay even more affordable."

Tickets and great camping packages for DIRECTV Speedweeks and the 51st annual Daytona 500 can be purchased online at www.daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

In addition to rolling back ticket prices, Daytona International Speedway has also created several unique ticket packages that give fans added value and one-of-a-kind experiences with their race tickets during DIRECTV Speedweeks.

Daytona International Speedway's ticket price adjustments is the first of many initiatives that International Speedway Corporation is planning to make throughout the year for race fans so that attending race events is easier and more affordable.

To purchase race tickets for DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 and the 51st annual Daytona 500, go online to www.daytona500.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.