Running Wide Open

Daytona International Speedway opens its doors for Speedweeks this Thursday, and I’ll be there.

This year is a little special for me, as it will be my 20th NASCAR Speedweeks at the World Center of Racing.

But enough about me. Let’s talk about the stars and cars.

NASCAR kicks off its season on Saturday night with the Bud Shootout. Tony Stewart leads active drivers with three wins in the exhibition race. Just for funsies, I’ll make him my pick for Saturday night.

In all, 24 cars will take the green flag in the 75-lap affair. NASCAR mixed up the entry requirements for the race again this year to make up the field.

Keep in mind that this is an all star race. But the race requirements — basically, you’re in if you’ve made the Chase for the Sprint Cup, won a championship or won anything of importance at Daytona — have let the likes of Derrike Cope and Ken Schrader in.

Cope got in by winning the Daytona 500 — 20 years ago. Schrader has won the Shootout twice, but he hasn’t won a NASCAR race since 1991.

Nevertheless, all the big-name drivers are in the show, and it should be a dandy to watch.

Before the Shootout begins, the ARCA season kicks off with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. This may be the only time we talk about ARCA all year, but the race is worth noting because Danica Patrick is in it.

Actually, Patrick will make her first start in a stock car in the 80-lap race.

BOLD PREDICTION: I don’t think it ends well.

If you’re in Daytona Beach for Speedweeks, be sure to check out Aunt Catfish’s in Port Orange. It may be the best seafood-and-more restaurant in Florida.

I’ll be there Friday for at least one meal. If you see a really pale guy in a green shirt, stop by and say hello.

It was supposed to be a night for the all-stars in NASCAR’s minor leagues. But the night ended with a NASCAR big-leaguer stealing the trophy and the show.

Joey Logano passed 16-year-old Sergio Pena on a late restart and held off the rookie and veteran Matt Kobyluck to win the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale’s Toyota Speedway Saturday night.

Logano, a 19-year-old NASCAR Sprint Cup regular, won the biggest minor league NASCAR race for the second time.

Logano is completely allowed to enter any race he chooses, and he’s certainly allowed to give it his best and try to win. But his win Saturday night turned the spotlight off a bunch of young drivers and regional stars who only get to shine on a national stage once a year.

That’s a problem.

Not only did Logano steal the win and the accolades, but he took home a big paycheck that would certainly go a lot  farther for everyone else in the field.

Basically, Logano’s win on Saturday would be like Derek Jeter showing up at baseball’s Double-A All-Star game in Montgomery, Ala., and belting two home runs on his way to earning the game MVP honors.

Good for him.

But at some point, Logano must realize that he needs to stick to the big races on NASCAR’s premier circuits. If he wants to come race on the lower levels, he needs to start his own race team like Kyle Busch.

But even then, it just doesn’t feel right.

Alright.

I had my two-month vacation — from racing, at least. I avoided withdrawal syndrome and even swore off going to Daytona this year.

Speedweeks at Daytona starts Saturday with the Rolex 24-hour sports car race. A week from Saturday, NASCAR kicks off its season with the Bud Shootout all-star race.

Guess who’s going to be there?

Yes, I could not lay off the sauce. It’s just so addicting even when it hasn’t been that good in a few years.

So why go? This will be my 20th year visiting Daytona International Speedway. I doubt I’ll get a card to celebrate our anniversary that doesn’t have a ticket or credential renewal notice attached.

I’m sure I’ll tune in to the Rolex 24 this Saturday. Sunday, I may trek over to Lanier National Speedway for Speedfest. Kyle Busch is going to be there.

Anyway, since I’ll be watching, I may as well write about it. Enjoy the ride.