Real Horse Power

I've mentioned this quite a few times over the years, but I am a NASCAR fan. I don't know that I fall into the typical demographic of what most NASCAR fans look like, but I enjoy the sport. Jimmie Johnson, who retired at the end of last season, was my driver for at least a decade. I admired his on track performance of course - he's a seven time champion and destined for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but I especially liked his character off the track. I'll miss rooting for him now that he's retired.

In 2018, Bubba Wallace got a full time seat in the Cup Series racing for Richard Petty Motorsports. He immediately became my "back up" favorite driver. I liked his on track personality which was the same reason Jimmie Johnson was my driver - personality and character. Last year, Bubba dealt with a lot of controversy both in the garage and in real life. He's not the first African American driver in the sport, but he is the highest finishing black driver with a second place finish at the Daytona 500 in 2018. I wore a t-shirt that day with his name and car number. He's now on a new team, 23XI, owned by Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin (L) and Bubba Wallace (R)

While watching this Sunday's Daytona 500, another car and driver team caught my eye. Quinn Houff, driver of the number 00, isn't a big name driver, nor is his team particularly well funded, a requisite for wins or top ten finishes. What caught my eye was his car's paint scheme. Fans choose to root for teams for a variety of reasons - the driver himself, the team owner, and even because of the sponsor. Mane 'n Tail have been NASCAR sponsors for 50 years!

With Jimmie Johnson retired, Bubba Wallace is my new number one driver, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22, has become my back up driver. Logano shouldn't be anyone's back up favorite as he's a big name on a very well funded team, but I can't help it. I like the guy. With Mane 'n Tail on board the 00 for at least a few races, the 00 is now my "back up, back up" car to roof for. I am excited for Quin Houff and StarCom racing.

Here's to hoping that added horse power gets them some good finishes this year.