RELATED: Stage format revealed | Quick facts about race enhancements
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2017 NASCAR Media Tour started Monday night with a dramatic, warmly-received and game-changing announcement about a new race format for NASCAR’s three national series and a re-designed points system aimed at increasing competition levels throughout races.
It was a hard act to follow, but the next two days of panel interviews, photo ops and video one-on-ones delivered interesting interviews and a definitive positive vibe in the air.
“Enhancements” was the word of the week and may prove to be the theme of seasons to come.
For the first time, the traditional “tour” didn’t include visits to any of the area’s race shops or the nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway. No crew chiefs or owners appeared on stage or roamed the halls.
But one by one, drivers — representing all three NASCAR national series — took the stage at the Charlotte Convention Center — settling into a lone director’s chair next to the emcee’s podium to provide season previews and at times, purely entertain.
At times the 10-minute question-and-answer segments felt more like open-mike night at a comedy club. Jamie McMurray and AJ Allmendinger cracked jokes and took all-in-fun shots at various media members.
RELATED: Allmendinger discusses Charlotte road course
Defending Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin delivered zingers with a straight face.
The GMS Racing team proved itself among the most entertaining of media availabilities with drivers 27-year old Spencer Gallagher and newcomer 17-year old Justin Haley
“If you want to compete in a NASCAR national series you can’t be a fatso.” Spencer Gallagher declared as he snacked on a green apple. “Plus it makes you look good in a firesuit.'”
During his team’s time on stage, he spoke about his highly-publicized tussle with John Wes Townley during a truck race saying, “Pacifism got me nowhere, I learned my lesson.”
And should he win the upcoming season-opening XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway, he promised a fence climb followed by a back flip capped off with a dramatic “grass” angel.
“Whenever I win Daytona, watch out,” Gallagher said with a grin.
It was indicative of a preseason of positive thinking and contagious optimism.
Interviews with Israeli driver Alon Day, and new Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series rookie, Daniel Suarez, of Mexico, proved interesting, their stories so compelling and inspiring.
RELATED: Suarez reflects on rise through Drive for Diversity program
Julia Landauer, who will compete full time in the NASCAR K&N Pro West Series this year, started Wednesday morning’s slate of interviews. The 25-year old Stanford graduate and former cast member from the hit television show “Survivor” spoke about being named to Forbes Magazine‘s prestigious Sports “30 Under 30” list. She is a member of the elite NASCAR Next class and promised her goal will be to do the interview next year as a full-time driver in one of NASCAR’s three national series.
Reigning, seven-time champ Jimmie Johnson took good-natured questions about his heavy beard, chances at a record eighth Cup title and whether — just maybe — the fans have come around to appreciating his amazing efforts.
“I think when a driver has enough gray in his beard, the fans kind of let you off the hook a little bit,” he said laughing. “There has been a shift over the last two or three years, for sure. Homestead and even before we won the race and the championship, they introduced us on stage and there was a much larger roar than I anticipated hearing. So, I guess I’ve earned my spot now after 15 seasons and seven championships; well, at that point, six championships. But, I think tenure plays a big role.”
RELATED: Johnson ready to attack for title No. 8 | ‘Seven-Time’s strong beard
Asked if he simply just had to get older to acquire the love, Johnson joked, “Essentially, yeah.”
His popular Hendrick Motorsports teammate driver Kasey Kahne spoke about rebounding in 2017 after failing to make the playoffs last year.
“Everybody is working hard, but for us we are going in the right direction and it is going to show this year and I’m looking forward to that,” he promised.
Their teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was equally optimistic but also delivered an inspirational reminder that competing in this sport is truly a gift. Having missed the second half of the 2016 season recovering from concussion-like symptoms, the newlywed Earnhardt said he’s got a renewed outlook about his place in the sport and life in general.
RELATED: Dale Jr. ready for season to get here
“I’m excited to be here for media day, which is new for me this year,” Earnhardt said without prompting as soon as he took a seat for his media session.
“Usually you kind of tell everybody Daytona will get here when it gets here, but I’m excited for the season. It can’t get here fast enough.
“Really thankful to be back and be working, and can’t wait for the opportunity to test at Phoenix in a couple of days and then get on to Daytona and get on to work.”
It was the prevailing message of the week and indicative of the good vibes.
As Justin Allgaier said during the final few minutes of interview time, “I’m ready to go now.”
And so we shall.