Off to the races: Check out the blog by Times sportswriter Brant James as he reports from Speed Weeks in Daytona Beach.
DAYTONA BEACH - Director of competition John Darby said on Saturday that NASCAR will begin the season with the rule allowing one driver a lap back on cautions, but like most Nextel Cup guidelines, it is subject to adjustment.
Last summer, to discourage racing back to the start/finish line under a yellow flag, NASCAR instituted a rule change allowing the top-scored car not on the lead lap to rejoin the lead lap under yellow. The recipient became commonly known as the "lucky dog."
"I still like the concept of it," Darby said. "It may need a tweak as we go on down the road, but as more competitors become used to the system, I can't say it's not gaining momentum.
"We've looked at a lot of different scenarios. Hell, we looked at throwing it out, but if a strong, good-running car has something bad happen, like you cut a tire early, there is a value there that plays out."
Darby said devices have been placed around Daytona International Speedway to more accurately determine running order when cautions are issued.
HEAD OF STATE: Brendan Gaughan, rookie driver of the Penske/Jasper No.77 Dodge, will wear a helmet signed by troops serving in Iraq when he makes his Nextel Cup debut Feb.15 in the Daytona 500.
The 2002 Truck series rookie of the year was part of a contingent including Truck series driver Rick Crawford, Busch driver Ron Hornaday and team owner Richard Childress that toured Iraq a few days before testing began at Daytona International Speedway.
"We got the second guy who interrogated Saddam Hussein on here, (but) I'm not allowed to know his name," Gaughan said. "I've got a Medal of Honor winner on it. I've been given permission to wear it in the Daytona 500, so this is it."
ARCA: Kyle Busch, 18, the younger brother of Nextel Cup driver Kurt Busch, emerged from a six-car shootout to win the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200. It was his third ARCA win and came in his debut at the famed 21/2-mile trioval.
HEAVEN ON WHEELS: NASCAR often is reluctant to associate itself with controversial topics, but Bobby Labonte's No.18 Chevrolet will have a paint scheme featuring the movie the Passion of the Christ in the Daytona 500. The movie, directed by Mel Gibson, has been denounced as anti-Semitic by Jewish groups.
Actor Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus, races and drove the pace car for the 2002 Indianapolis 500.
PIT STOPS: Robert Yates Racing dominated the second Daytona 500 practice session as Elliott Sadler's No.38 Ford led the 43-car field with an average speed of 189.366 and Dale Jarrett was third best at 188.739 in the No.88 Ford. Ricky Rudd was second best at 189.088 in the No.21 Ford for the Wood Brothers team, which uses Yates engines.
Fords were strong in the morning also as Greg Biffle was second best (188.064) and Rudd third (187.958). Joe Nemechek led the morning session at 188.166 in the No.01 Chevrolet.
