Many will not be able to watch this race live, if at all, because they will be at work or otherwise busy when they take place. Not only does this affect both hardcore and casual fans, but also potential non-fans who may have been intrigued by the hype surrounding this event.
This years Daytona 500, which started at 2:30 PM on a Monday, was one of the lowest rated 500s ever. The 2012 Daytona 500, which started later on Monday because of an addition rain delay, had significantly higher ratings, despite having less hype going in.
I assume this is at the direction of FOX, who has significant control over TV windows. Between the end of the current race window, 7:30 PM, and 10:00 PM FOX is airing a re-run of The Big Bang Theory, and a two hour episode of 9-1-1 (which I don't know if it's a re-run or new). FS1, meanwhile, has no significant programing tonight. So, at the very least, the Truck race should run in primetime if the cup race cannot.
I get that FOX has obligations to their existing programing, and they can't just pre-empt it, but it's not like the conflict is with another live sports event, and as we saw in 2012, it's both possible and worthwhile. FOX is a partner in NASCAR, they have as much at stake in the sports health as NASCAR does. A Monday night primetime slot may even reach more people than the original Sunday afternoon slot (especially with the absence of Monday Night Football). Even moving the start time to 5:00-5:30 PM, would make a difference. Hell, even run a replay of the race on FS1 at 7:30 PM if they're not going to run the Trucks then. NASCAR could have made Lemonade of of a lemon, instead, they're burying two of the most anticipated events of the year in time slots when most viewers will be at work, commuting, etc.
Inspired by last week's Superbowl and last night's rain delay, I decided to create a prop bet sheet. You might remember me from a few years ago with the 2019 Daytona 500 drinking game. Based on the rules, you might not have remembered a thing.
Link to the printable sheet: https://docdro.id/fg2fcox
Have fun! I'm not condoning anything illegal. WE JUST LIKE THE RACE.
I'll post the answers at some point after the NASCAR official results are released and I work thru the postrace hangover.
Good luck!
Edit: added link for mobile https://imgur.com/a/peqHk9G
This could be interesting. Waltrip’s winless streak was 100 races longer than McDowell, but he was driving for a better team in DEI compared to McDowell’s Front Row Motorsports. However, the racing packages were drastically different between the two wins. Is McDowell’s win impressive because he survived the crapshoot and put himself in the right place at the end, or is it less impressive because the race essentially was just that, a crapshoot. What do you guys think?
The 2021 Daytona 500 will be the first time since the 2001 Daytona 500 that every number 1-10 is being used in a Cup race. #3 was inactive from said race until 2014, #5 went inactive after the end of 2017 and #8 was inactive from 2009 Phoenix until the 2018 Richmond race.
In fact, if Germain Racing didn’t leave at the end of last season, every single car number 1-24 would be entered, which of course can still change if someone uses #13.
So, here’s a little challenge, without looking it up, can you name every driver who drove a car numbered 1-10 in the 2001 Daytona 500?
Answered correctly first by u/bjohnson203
#1 Steve Park
#2 Rusty Wallace
#3 Dale Earnhardt
#4 Robby Gordon
#5 Terry Labonte
#6 Mark Martin
#7 Mike Wallace
#8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
#9 Bill Elliott
#10 Johnny Benson
https://preview.redd.it/rvx1gsuatdd61.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08cdb99e598b71153eb5d651f7c80fcb130fb80d
