Hi Everyone!
I hope that you all have had a fun and safe New Years! So hard to believe it is already 2014! I hope you all will have a great year full of happiness and health! So far my 2014 has been OK...though can do without all this cold weather. I for one am looking forward to spring...
With that said, as of right now, there is 48 (JIMMIE JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) more days until the Daytona 500. If I can make it that far, I can make it to spring. :) Feel kinda lost right now as I no longer have football to watch, no NASCAR, and no baseball.
Well, the past week, I have been wondering what I will talk about in my next blog...well got some news today that has answered that question!
The news being that Chase Elliot has been hired to race full time in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports...and will be sponsored by NAPA. JR Motorsports is ran by Dale Earnhardt Jr and his sister.
Chase Elliot is the eighteen year old son of former NASCAR driver, Bill Elliot (who does still race periodically throughout the season.). So I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that Chase is following in his father's footsteps and seems to have a promising career ahead of him...as his father had.
Being a fan of Hendrick Motorsports, I have been keeping an eye on Chase, through Facebook, on how Chase has been doing the past year or two or so since he has been racing for Hendrick or has some association with Rick Hendrick.
And the news that Chase will be driving full time in the Nationwide Series is something that I am happy with...even happier that it is with JR Motorsports. I am super excited to see how Chase will do in the Nationwide Series and against the other Nationwide Series drivers as well as the several Sprint Cup drivers that will often race in the Nationwide races. (Including his JR Motorsports teammate Kevin Harvick who will racing for Stewart-Haas Racing in the Sprint Cup Series this upcoming season. Last several years, Harvick drove for Richard Childress.)
Though, it is also news that has me a bit saddened as well. Saddened by the fact that it has been going around the past year or so that it will be Chase Elliot who will replace Jeff Gordon in the 24 car when Gordon retires. (I haven't heard that officially yet, but...) And with him just starting in the Nationwide Series, am sure he will be there a couple of years before he is "ready" for the Sprint Cup Series, but still...
I really hate and dread the thought of Jeff Gordon, my all time favorite NASCAR driver, retiring. NASCAR will not be the same without Gordon behind the wheel of the 24 car. And it will just seem wrong to see someone other than Jeff Gordon sitting in the seat of the 24 car.
And though, I am really HOPING that the change won't take place for a few or several more years, if anyone would take over Jeff Gordon's spot in the 24 car, I would hope it would be Chase Elliot. He seems to be a very capable guy and shows a lot of signs of having a promising career as his dad had when he sat behind the wheel of his stock car. And would be someone I would be proud to be a fan of...
Until then, I will be keeping tabs on Chase Elliot in the Nationwide Series and wish him the best of luck with JR Motorsports in 2014 and beyond. He seems to be one talented kid and one I have enjoyed watching his progress and will continue to do so...
NASCAR HMS Fan
