[Lefturn]

Didn't they used to have bigger than 43 car fields 'back in the day'?

I think the biggest story of speedweeks is definately Toyota. I look at the kind of season Waltrip had last year and if he doesn't improve then he is gonna have to fire himself and get a new driver. Who knows, maybe he can hire Jr.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by Lefturn

Didn't they used to have bigger than 43 car fields 'back in the day'?

I think the biggest story of speedweeks is definately Toyota. I look at the kind of season Waltrip had last year and if he doesn't improve then he is gonna have to fire himself and get a new driver. Who knows, maybe he can hire Jr.

Yes, sometimes the fields were 50 drivers, and sometimes there were only 28.

[LSC9901]

I don't see Jr. going to Toyota but then if the price was right he might just do it. After all they are all the same car now.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Mike24

I will laugh if Toyota only has like 2 drivers make the 500. That's a great way to enter the sport. But I doubt that.

61 drivers...... that's unreal. I can smell NASCAR expanding the field from 43 drivers to...... who knows.

That is a scarily real possibility Mike. Back in the day the number if guys starting a race would vary anywhere from 15 to 70. Mr. France would hate to see money sitting on the sidelines.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

That is a scarily real possibility Mike. Back in the day the number if guys starting a race would vary anywhere from 15 to 70. Mr. France would hate to see money sitting on the sidelines.

Yea, think about 70 drivers at Bristol or Martinsville. Could 70 cars even fit on those tracks?

[oncea3fan]

you know mikey was awful quiet about the dale jr. treasa deal.

maybe he has something going on with toyota's money.

what would the army ants do if Jr. flipped over to toyota ????

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Yes, sometimes the fields were 50 drivers, and sometimes there were only 28.

Historical note The first Daytona 500 started 59 cars, the second one started 68. To my knowledge the fewest cars to ever start a 500 is 41 (1973 I bel;ieve?).

The record books show that the fewest cars to ever start a Daytona race is 21 (2/12/65). That is a little misleading because up until the early '70's ('71 or '72; I can't remember which), the twin qualifying races were points races.

I believe the most cars to ever start a major NASCAR was 82 (1951 Southern 500, at the track where they are suppossed to race on Labor Day, Darlington).

[azrael492]

Am I the only one that is curious to see how Toyota will do in this race. I am kind of pulling for them.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by azrael492

Am I the only one that is curious to see how Toyota will do in this race. I am kind of pulling for them.

You need to spend a little more time with us here in the NASCAR Forum. We are all curious but at the same time it looks like a few just may go home without getting a real lap in. Dale Jarrett will be in the race one way or another. He is a past champion so he is assured a spot. Could be tough for the rest of them.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Historical note The first Daytona 500 started 59 cars, the second one started 68. To my knowledge the fewest cars to ever start a 500 is 41 (1973 I bel;ieve?).

I think from '70 to '75 the 500 started 40. Not that it makes a difference. Close enough.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

I think from '70 to '75 the 500 started 40. Not that it makes a difference. Close enough.

I stand corrected, Wilks. I wrote that post strictly from memory, and I was wrong. Thanks for setting me straight.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I stand corrected, Wilks. I wrote that post strictly from memory, and I was wrong. Thanks for setting me straight.

No problem. My memory has gotten pretty rusty as well. There have been Sunday's that I forgot there was actually a race. Woke up like any other day, it would never even cross my mind it was race day.

[Mike24]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

No problem. My memory has gotten pretty rusty as well. There have been Sunday's that I forgot there was actually a race. Woke up like any other day, it would never even cross my mind it was race day.

Now that's getting rusty!

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Mike24

Now that's getting rusty!

Well hey, when you've been asleep for hours, it's pretty easy to forget what day it is... isn't it? My mind doesn't get running very fast. It was about 3:00 when I realized, "DAMN, there's a race on" and fumbled for the remote.