1. Drawing a late number for qualifying will not be as detrimental as in the past. With the new format the All Stars use to qualify teams will only be trying to be the fastest car in their particular heat race. With a deep pool of talent expected every night on Speedweek, every heat race should be stacked. It will be interesting to see how the new format plays out compared to in years past where drawing a late number often times put a driver behind the eight ball before ever turning a lap.
2. The $25,000 bonus on the line for a driver than can win five of the nine events during Speedweek. Cash bonuses like this always add intrigue to Speedweek. The driver favored to be in contention for the bonus is Dale Blaney, but Speedweek can build or bust momentum. Someone could start going well early in the week and find themselves in line to claim the money. I believe the most likely scenario is the bonus goes unclaimed.
3. Enjoy the mix of teams Ohio Sprint Speedweek creates. Drivers from the Northwest, Northwest, Australia, and other parts of the country you normally will read about make the trip to Ohio for nine nights of action. Make sure to pick up a t-shirt from such visitors as a token of appreciation for making the tow.
4. Friday and Saturday will see Kasey Kahne strap in a sprint car for Ohio Speedweek. Kahne was sporty at times during the Winter Heat Series at Cocopah Speedway. It is always great to have our drivers that have moved on to NASCAR come back and visit and/or compete. Attica is one of Kahne’s favorite venues and I would look for him to have a respectable run there considering how infrequently he gets to drive a sprint car at this point in his career.
5. For those getting to do the entire grind of Speedweek I wish you safe travels and am slightly jealous. I have to make the decision every year of Speedweek or Knoxville, and so far Knoxville has won out. Sometime in the next year or two (unless I can produce another week of vacation) I am going to hit the pause button on Iowa for a year and return to one of the most fun weeks of racing in all of motorsports.