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Not even a year ago, I penned an article about the incessant force feeding of NASCAR fandom the idiotic rubbish that is Digger, an in-track camera that wasn’t even the original idea of FOX. It actually came from ESPN and the good ol’ days of Thursday Night Thunder. Well just …

Farmers Insurance to sponsor No. 28 at Fontana Yates Racing announced on Tuesday that Farmers Insurance Group will be the primary sponsor on the No. 28 Ford Fusion driven by Travis Kvapil this week at Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 500. “It’s another great opportunity for the No. …

*Today's Question : Who's to blame for the big wreck in this year's Daytona 500 -- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or Brian Vickers?* Tom: With six top 5 finishes on the high banks to go along with 383 laps led, it's clear Earnhardt knows how to get around this place better than almost any other track on the circuit -- with the exception of perhaps Talladega and Richmond. In my opinion, that's what makes Sunday's major incident that much more tougher for NASCAR's Most Popular Driver; a track that should have a special place in his heart is now forever linked instead with his most embarrassing moment behind the wheel. *Vito:* If you review the tape from the backstretch and infield angles, you will witness Brian Vickers swerve across three lanes of traffic to block Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s pass attempt. Was it a legal move by Vickers? Yes. Was it ill advised? As former VP candidate and snowbound cutie Sarah Palin would say, “You betcha!”

Luck can be a fickle mistress, and at the premature end of the 51st running of the Great American Race, there were plenty of drivers - from the veterans to the rookies - who could attest all too easily to that particular sentiment. Chief among those bemoaning their poor fortune was Elliott Sadler. The Emporia, Virginia native came into Speedweeks under something of a cloud, having invoked legal measures this winter to keep his seat in the No. 19 car. In this treacherous economic climate, it was tough to blame the amiable twelve-year veteran for pulling out all the stops to stay in his ride, but there was no doubt the pressure was on for him to perform from the get-go.

Some teams came out of the block strong, following good runs in Sunday’s Daytona 500. Due to the nature of restrictor plate racing, fate can play a major role in which teams are successful and which head to California hoping to get their season on the right track. The following intermediate track races at California, Las Vegas, and Atlanta will play a much larger role than Daytona in determining which teams and drivers are the actually contenders and pretenders for the championship.

Now that Speedweeks at Daytona are over, it is time to look back and reflect upon what we have seen, and what we have been provided for our viewing pleasure by NASCAR’s media partners for Speedweeks (FOX, Speed, and ESPN 2). Before I begin, I should state this. Speedweeks is supposed to be the most important time of the year in NASCAR, at least for the television partners. This is because the races at Daytona during Speedweeks are the biggest events of the year for each series that races. This includes the ARCA Re/Max Series that had their season opener back on February 7, in addition to NASCAR’s three national series. As a result, telecasts of said races should be held to a greater standard. It is to this standard that I have to critique the broadcasts.

_Each week, we’ll go through media reports, interviews, PR, and all our own stuff to find the best quotes from the Sprint Cup race, capturing the story of how the weekend unfolded. It’s the most original commentary you’ll ever find: the truth, coming straight out of the mouths of the drivers, crew members, and car owners themselves. This week, here’s a sneak peek at what a select few were thinking following the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway:_ "It's gonna be really wet out here because I’m crying like a baby, but I’ve just got to thank my team and thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity, first of all. Winning the Daytona 500 is definitely a dream moment. It’s just an unbelievable feeling. After last year, winning a race means a lot to me. I’m really proud of these guys." _Matt Kenseth_

Kenseth’s No. 17 Car Inducted Into Daytona 500 Experience After a late night flight back home to North Carolina, 2009 Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth returned to Daytona Beach for the Champion’s Breakfast. Car owner Jack Roush, crew chief Drew Blickensderfer and the crew of the No. 17 team were …

Well, that was fun. No, really! You have to admit that even with new rules changes, new teams, new double line, NASCAR applying different rules to different drivers and a rain-shortened event, you liked it. You can’t help it! You’re a NASCAR fan, and if there’s one thing that really …

Matt Kenseth took the lead just as Aric Almirola spun to bring out the eighth and final caution of the race. Rain began falling before green flag racing could resume, handing Kenseth his first Daytona 500 win.