Photo credit: Instagram
Did Daytona live up to the hype? It most certainly did as the outcome of the Coke Zero 400 was beyond anyone’s wildest imagination, but one can argue that it should not be surprising given the unpredictable nature of restrictor-plate racing.
During our weekly Twitter Party, we sought fans opinion on current events in NASCAR such as the most astonishing Top 10 finishers at Daytona, which young guns they would recruit, the sports network of choice to watch races and whether or not Dale Jr. will race at Daytona in 2018. We may be getting ahead of ourselves a little by asking who will win the championship this year when the playoffs have not started, and with so much happening with first-time winners showing up, stage racing, and everything else, but we are NASCAR visionaries, and this is NASCAR talk for fans by fans, so no question is off limits.
Who is the next big thing in NASCAR? It depends on whom you ask and what fans believe each driver brings to the table in terms of talent and marketing. Many agree that Kyle Larson is one to watch but there is also a significant amount of support for other young drivers such as Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez, and Bubba Wallace. The changing of the guard may have happened, but don’t expect older drivers to roll over and play dead. Fans have high expectations of Kyle Larson’s ability to win his first championship title this year if he can avoid cozying up against the fence and hold off veterans such as Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson who is chasing his eighth title to cement his status in the NASCAR book of legends.
Below are links to our top 5 Twitter questions and also a few responses. Every Monday, we will host a #NASCARTalk Twitter party at 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM EST. Join us for some NASCAR talk. Have something to say? We would love to hear from you! Join the conversation on our next Twitter chat and tweet us a comment.
Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest NASCAR news delivered to you once a week.
Question 1: Which driver were you most surprised to see finish in the Top 10 at Daytona?
Q1: Which driver were you most surprised to see finish in the top 10 at Daytona? #NASCAR #NASCARTalk
— All Turns No Brakes (@turnsnobrakes) July 3, 2017
Answers:
Ragan
— Dr. Spencer (@gatorade_idiot) July 3, 2017
Brendan Gaughan
— Mick Rose 🇺🇸 (@GoDucks42_mick) July 3, 2017
Seeing as how there were only 10 cars left there the end, wasn’t that surprised. 😂😂😂
— Chad Sheldon (@ChockfulOfChad) July 3, 2017
paul menard
— NASCAR Ocho (@NascarOcho) July 3, 2017
Brendan Gaughan I was surprised with .
— Jonathan Thiebaud (@Jtbaud24) July 3, 2017
Paul Menard in P3 was interesting
— Kenneth Lee (@FrontRowKenny) July 3, 2017
Newman, he seems to always get snake bit at restrictor plate racing
— ryan goodrum (@ryan_goodrum) July 3, 2017
None, nothing surprises me at restrictor plate racing
— Jay Tate (@nascarnut77) July 3, 2017
Brendan Gaughan.
— Santa Fe BGR ® (@santafebgr) July 3, 2017
Question 2: Will Dale Jr. run at Daytona next year?
Q2: Will Dale Jr. run at Daytona next year? #NASCARTalk #NASCAR
— All Turns No Brakes (@turnsnobrakes) July 3, 2017
Answers:
I think he’ll race the Clash, but nothing else
— Jay Tate (@nascarnut77) July 3, 2017
I could see race a 500 or 2 maybe even a clash but..I definitely could see him racing @TalladegaSuperS in cup or Xfinity.
— A. Williams (@Thebohindel) July 3, 2017
i can see some Xfinity races for sure but I don’t think we will see him at the Daytona 500
— NASCAR Ocho (@NascarOcho) July 3, 2017
No
— Mick Rose 🇺🇸 (@GoDucks42_mick) July 3, 2017
Next year I’ll say maybe however in the future plate races are probably the place you’ll see him for NASCAR
— Kenneth Lee (@FrontRowKenny) July 3, 2017
No. But never say never
— Dr. Spencer (@gatorade_idiot) July 3, 2017
The Clash or whatever they call it now
— ryan goodrum (@ryan_goodrum) July 3, 2017
Question 3: Which young gun are you recruiting if you are a NASCAR team owner? Larson, Elliott, Jones, Suarez, Dillon
Q3: Which young gun are you recruiting if you are a #NASCAR team owner? Larson, Elliott, Jones, Suarez, Dillon. #NASCARTalk
— All Turns No Brakes (@turnsnobrakes) July 3, 2017
Answers:
Larson would be my personal pick, but as an owner, I would be intrigued by Suarez’s Hispanic following. That’s a huge potential market base.
— Chad Sheldon (@ChockfulOfChad) July 3, 2017
@BubbaWallace would be my pick but from your list, hard to pass up Larson
I would have chosen @blaney, of course, too, but I thought you didn’t include him because you already recognize his greatness. 😀
— Chad Sheldon (@ChockfulOfChad) July 3, 2017
From a purely business point of view, I hire Chase as he’s so marketable. Results wise I’d have to say Larson right now.
— Jason Rodgers (@JRodgersSport) July 3, 2017
Bubba Wallace Jr…Those guys aren’t going anywhere https://t.co/8qVzXcKabs
— Mitch CoatCheck (@DonDelarente) July 3, 2017
I’m gonna go with Blaney. All because I like his driving style the best
— Zane Taylor (@ZaneTaylor33) July 3, 2017
Can i select Jordan Anderson
— Dr. Spencer (@gatorade_idiot) July 3, 2017
I’ll going for Suarez, Bell, and Byron. The others are already under contract, or no good. Hell, I’ll even take Nemechek
— Andre Clarke (@BigDre1909) July 3, 2017
All the above. Need to add Byron & C Bell too
— Larry Lee (@lblee58) July 3, 2017
Larson is my first choice. that kid is the next big thing. It’s too early to tell for Suarez. i’m waiting to see what he does w more exp
— NASCAR Ocho (@NascarOcho) July 3, 2017
Larson
— Mick Rose 🇺🇸 (@GoDucks42_mick) July 3, 2017
Blaney
— Jay Tate (@nascarnut77) July 3, 2017
Larson, but I don’t think Chip@will let him go. Also blaney and Elliott, but again… not sure their currents teams would let them go
— Steve Gocke (@Steve_gocke) July 4, 2017
None of them Corey LaJoie Ryan Truex Brett Moffitt or Jesse Little for me
— Mark Sebetka (@Mark_Sebetka) July 3, 2017
Blaney 👍🏻
— Ryan Ostrander 88 🏁 (@rostrander13) July 3, 2017
Chase without question
— Ray Roberson (@sgt_stingray) July 4, 2017
Gotta go with The Last True Racer then
— Garhett Wyatt (@Garhett_W) July 3, 2017
Larson or Blaney (even though he’s not on here lol)
— Kayla (@knicoles528) July 3, 2017
Larson
— Renee (@rb218) July 3, 2017
Correction three way tie with Larson, Suarez & Blaney lol
— Kenneth Lee (@FrontRowKenny) July 3, 2017
Question 4: Which network do you prefer when it comes to watching NASCAR races? NBC or Fox. Or did you like ESPN and TNT?
Q4: Which network do you prefer when it comes to watching #NASCAR races? NBC or Fox. Or did you like ESPN and TNT. #NASCARTalk
— All Turns No Brakes (@turnsnobrakes) July 3, 2017
Answers:
Fox. Can put up with DW way better than the EXPERT Letart
— Robert Hicklin (@rghicklin) July 3, 2017
DW talks a lot but Letart wont shut up. Also NBC was talking like the 400 was the 1st race of the year the way they were describing things
— Robert Hicklin (@rghicklin) July 3, 2017
HANDS DOWN…NBC…it’s time to ditch the Waltrips
— bruce groft (@groft7) July 3, 2017
There’s things I like and don’t like about both. However, if I could, I would watch a raw feed on TV and listen to MRN.
— Chad Sheldon (@ChockfulOfChad) July 3, 2017
Like NBC better than Fox. Need Jeff G at NBC. Then they can put another person that’s self absorbed with Jaws and Mike to mute.
— Larry Lee (@lblee58) July 3, 2017
Don’t judge. But i loved TNT
— Dr. Spencer (@gatorade_idiot) July 3, 2017
TNT was great when they did it
— Kirk Wilson (@KirkWilson12) July 3, 2017
Fox and NBC do a great job. TNT was my least favorite.
— Jonathan Thiebaud (@Jtbaud24) July 3, 2017
As long as it covers @NASCAR which is my favorite sport I don’t have a preference, I like what both networks do
— Jay Tate (@nascarnut77) July 3, 2017
Both, a lot of good reporters on both sides…DW gets a little tiring, but @mikejoy500 makes up for it. NBC booth is a good trio as well
— ryan goodrum (@ryan_goodrum) July 3, 2017
Fox for sure. i like the personalities and track side reporters more plus mike joy>rick allen.
— NASCAR Ocho (@NascarOcho) July 3, 2017
They’re about equal to me. I will say, though, I miss BP.
— Renee (@rb218) July 3, 2017
It’s always been NBC for me, I was ecstatic when NBC came back to broadcast https://t.co/2xdsMlp8Qi
— Kenneth Lee (@FrontRowKenny) July 3, 2017
Fox is pretty good https://t.co/SRDJ5zuS7x
— Mitch CoatCheck (@DonDelarente) July 3, 2017
Question 5: Who will win the NASCAR championship this year?
Q5: It may be too early, but hey this is #NASCARTalk.
Who will win the #NASCAR championship this year?
— All Turns No Brakes (@turnsnobrakes) July 3, 2017
Answers:
My money’s on Larson
— Dr. Spencer (@gatorade_idiot) July 3, 2017
I hate to say it, but Jimmie wins number 8.
— Chad Sheldon (@ChockfulOfChad) July 3, 2017
My money is on Truex Jr. it’s going to be a very competitive chase for sure.
— NASCAR Ocho (@NascarOcho) July 3, 2017
Truex has been a stage monster, Johnson is a closer and Larson has been an upset special week in and week out. One of those 3 gets Miami
— #TheBigDawg (@DawgPoundInc) July 3, 2017
Larson’s got a great shot at Homestead but I’m going to stick my neck out and say Keselowski finds a way
— Jason Rodgers (@JRodgersSport) July 3, 2017
I want someone make it to the final 4 without a win. Then come in 2nd at Homestead with the other 3 behind. Winless Champion……yeah👍
— Larry Lee (@lblee58) July 3, 2017
Kyle Busch
— Larry Lee (@lblee58) July 3, 2017
18. Jgr will catch fire here shortly. Only a matter of time.
— Danny Swanson (@DannySwanson90) July 3, 2017
I’d love to see Truex (long time fan). But old habits die hard when it comes to expecting trouble to find him lol. If not him, 42 or 18.
— Renee (@rb218) July 3, 2017
I think if the 22 catches fire pretty soon, and gets back in the top 16 that team will have a legit shot
— Jay Tate (@nascarnut77) July 3, 2017
Probably Larson or Truex
— Kenneth Lee (@FrontRowKenny) July 3, 2017
I think Larson gets it done at Homestead.
— Mick Rose 🇺🇸 (@GoDucks42_mick) July 3, 2017
I like Larson’s chances as long as he can keep the car out of the fence at Homestead .
— Jonathan Thiebaud (@Jtbaud24) July 3, 2017
Chase Elliott could win it this year.
— Annie Horner (@anniehorner901) July 3, 2017
Tags Dale Jr. Daytona Kyle Larson Motorsports NASCAR NASCAR Talk Twitter Chat
