Let the countdown begin

Summer is in full swing; kids are playing in the pool, fireworks light up the night sky, adults are playing hooky from work to go on vacation, and NASCAR racing is only 27 days away from Indianapolis.

That’s right folks, the countdown is on.

Last year’s Brickyard 400 was an unbelievable one for fans of now 51-year-old Mark Martin. The old-timer led Friday’s practice session, won the pole on Saturday afternoon and led the Brickyard 400 late in the race, coming home in second for the second time in his career.
So what will the No. 5 team do for an encore?

That is just one of many storylines I’ll try to cover over the next three plus weeks. Here are some other teasers that you NASCAR fans can think about as we head closer to seeing the stars of NASCAR in Speedway, Ind., in less than one month.

-He had a dominant car last season and a pit road speeding penalty cost him the win. Is 2010 the year Juan Pablo Montoya breaks into the NASCAR winners circle at IMS?
-He was the highest finishing rookie in 2009. Will Joey Logano’s second year be better than his first at Indy?
-Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson both have five wins so far this season. Will Hamlin notch his first Brickyard win, or will Johnson grab his third straight win at Indy, and his fourth career Brickyard win?

-Tony Stewart normally gets hot when the temperatures raise during the summer months. He has two wins at Indy. Does he get number three this season in the No. 14 car?
-Goodyear has had no real issues with tires this season. We all remember the 2008 debacle. What, if anything, will change this year?

-The one thing that has changed on the NASCAR cars from last year is the tail end. Gone is the rear wing, and in is the spoiler. I will take more than one look at the change in rear end accessories on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup cars.

-Will Aric Almirola get to race at Indy? He’s sitting in as Jimmie Johnson’s backup just in case Mrs. Johnson goes into labor with the couple’s first child.

-Is it time for one of the Busch brothers to make it to Victory Lane?

These stories and any other ones I can think of will pop up as the days get closer to race day in Indy. I’m more excited than I’ve ever been about this race, especially given what occurred last season. We’re still working on travel arrangements, and with some help from the FOX19 Sports department, we’re still working on getting a media pass so you, the most loyal readers of this blog, can see the sights and sounds from Indy for a second year in a row.

If you have any story ideas, hit me up. Follow me on Twitter (@adamniemeyer) or e-mail me. Have a great Monday, and remember, only 27 days until the green flag drops in Indianapolis.