Not just gearheads will like Daytona site
By: ERIC BREIER - Staff Writer | ∞
www.daytona500.com
It's hard for many people to see the attraction in spending three hours watching cars drive in circles. But just because you don't want to watch racecars make left-hand turns for 200 laps doesn't mean the drivers don't deserve a little love.
Heck, I'm exhausted after driving across Highway 78. Imagine going nearly 200 mph for 500 miles.
That's exactly what's on tap as the 2008 NASCAR season kicks off with the Daytona 500 today.
It seems strange that a sport would open its season with its most prestigious event (can you imagine starting the NFL season with the Super Bowl?), but it seems to work for NASCAR.
Whether you're a hardcore fan who can recite every victory in Tony Stewart's career or you're a novice who thinks downforce is something Darth Vader used against Luke Skywalker, there's something for everyone at www.daytona500.com.
Cool stuff
< There are some sweet video clips from the first race in 1959 in the Great Finishes section. The quality isn't great, but what do you want from 50-year-old footage? And who wouldn't want to relive President Bush saying the four most famous words in racing to start the 2004 event? And if politics isn't your thing, you can check out celebrities like John Travolta and Nicolas Cage uttering "Gentlemen, start your engines."
< There are bios of all the top contenders. And that doesn't just mean the Jeff Gordons and Jimmie Johnsons of the racing world. Nearly 50 drivers are represented. Sadly, no mention of Ashley Judd in husband Dario Franchitti's bio. Worse, no photos of Judd.
< It's too late for today's race, but if you have any thoughts of attending next year, the site has everything you need to know, from purchasing tickets to finding parking.
Check at the door
< I couldn't find a single Daytona 500 beer cozy in the site's store. Back to the drawing board for the wife's anniversary gift.
< The trivia section gives the percentage of questions you answered correctly, but doesn't show the answers. How are you supposed to impress family and friends with your Daytona 500 knowledge if you can't see the answers?
The grade
Everything you wanted to know about the Daytona 500 and more is here. Sure, a section on Ashley Judd would be nice, but this is still a five-mouse site.
Staff writer Eric Breier is lobbying to make Ashley Judd the permanent Grand Marshal of the Daytona 500. He can be reached at campaign headquarters at ebreier@nctimes.com.
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