Storylines abundant as Preseason Thunder begins

Can you believe NASCAR turns 60 this year? It's true -- February 15, 1948, the first NASCAR race took place on the beach/road course in Daytona Beach, Fla. Red Byron took the checkered flag at a time when milk cost 86 cents a gallon and the average price of a house was around $13,000.

Fast forward to 2008, where milk can run you up to $4.00 a gallon and instead of a 10-race schedule spanning five states -- North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia -- the Cup Series has grown to 19 states featuring 36 races in 22 cities across the U.S.

'08 is here

The 2008 Sprint Cup season gets under way Jan. 7 with Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway.

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In a relatively small amount of time, NASCAR has changed exponentially. As the sport moves into its sixth decade, more change is on the horizon and will be seen for the first time during Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway beginning Jan. 7.

In honor of NASCAR's 60th season, here are six story lines to keep an eye on throughout testing. Some have to do with drivers, some have to do with equipment, but all will play a major factor in how the 2008 season will be remembered 60 years from now.

The Day after Tomorrow

No more should we refer to the current model of stock car as the Car of Tomorrow. Beginning with this year's testing at Daytona, the COT is the only stock car fans, drivers and teams will see each and every week.

Most agree NASCAR is doing the right thing by implementing the car full time in 2008, rather than continue to mix it in with the old model. But questions and concerns still remain with the COT, despite 16 races under its proverbial belt.

There is the concern of speed. Many drivers have said the car runs slower than what they are used to, and they don't like it. There's the handling of the car, or lack thereof which was voiced by numerous drivers in 2007.

Tires, set-up, difficulty in passing -- all these were issues in the course of 16 races last season. Some yammering could be chalked up to drivers complaining about the unknown, but the fact is there's still a lot to be learned about this new car.

And then there is the gray area. It's a crew chief's job to get as much speed out of his car as possible. When it comes to the COT, tinkering has become an art form as inspection is tougher than ever.

There were three major COT infractions in 2007: Tony Eury Jr. was suspended six races for an illegal rear mounting at Darlington; Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte also were suspended six races for altering the front end at Infineon. Their drivers -- Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon -- were docked 100 points for the infractions.

As the car goes full time in 2008, it's safe to assume more COT penalties will be levied as crew chiefs learn what is OK and what isn't kosher when it comes to altering the car for peak performance.

Home Sweet Home

After spending his entire nine-year Cup career at DEI, the race team his father, Dale Earnhardt, built, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a new address and some new roommates as he debuts at Hendrick Motorsports alongside champions Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

It was clear this season Junior wanted to leave DEI. He was unhappy with his team owner and stepmother, Teresa, and engine failures -- six of them in '07 -- were enough to send the 17-time race winner packing for greener pastures at Hendrick. (Continued)