Today's paper
It's runner-up day in today's News & Record. If you missed Dustin Long's profile of Jimmie Johnson, who finished second in points in each of the past two season, it's here.
Dustin also had a short take on Kasey Kahne here. Kahne, as you might remember from last season, finished second in five races last season.
This season, expect some firsts from both drivers. Johnson seems to be everyone's pick (including Dustin's) to win the whole thing this year. And Kahne is too good a driver, and his equipment is too good, for him not to crack Victory Lane this season, probably sooner than later.
As an added bonus to this post, here are some of Dustin's notes from Daytona that we couldn't get into today's paper:
TIRE EXCHANGE II: Goodyear again was pulling tires after some teams experienced problems in Wednesday's practice sessions. Goodyear exchanged about 300 tires Saturday after some teams had cases of tread lifting. That can cause small bubbles in the tires or the tread to tear. Wednesday, a few teams had problems, including Greg Biffle and Joe Nemechek.
Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of race tires sales and marketing, said some tires have been taken from teams as a safety precaution. The tires were sent to Goodyear's Akron, Ohio, facility for examination. Stucker said the problem Wednesday was with right front tires. The problem last week was with right rear tires.
HALL OF FAME: NASCAR announced that six cities and one state are vying for the sport's official Hall of Fame. Bidding are: Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Daytona Beach, Kansas City, Richmond and the state of Michigan. Kansas City representatives, including the governor, met with NASCAR officials earlier this week. Proposals are due May 31. A decision is expected in late summer or early fall.
BUSCH RACING: A few Cup drivers have recently announced plans to compete in Busch races this season. Tony Stewart is scheduled to drive in six Busch races for Kevin Harvick's team, beginning this week at Daytona. Jimmie Johnson is set to drive in six Busch races, beginning at Atlanta next month. Jamie McMurray will drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in Mexico City next month.
PIT STOPS: Rookie Kyle Busch cut a tire during practice Wednesday and suffered minor damage. ... Mike Skinner had a tire mark across the driver's side door area from practice. ... While speeds mean little at restrictor-plate tracks because cars in a draft go faster than those leading it, Scott Riggs posted the day's fastest lap at 191.327 mph. ... Trinity's Justin Labonte was fastest in practice for the Busch series at 186.939 mph. Busch qualifying is Friday. ... Kerry Earnhardt, rookie Todd Kluever and Steve Park were involved in an accident in Truck practice. No one was injured.