count in the standings, or towards the starting grid for Daytona, it is the sport's first big event of the year. After that, the most hyped week in auto racing will kick off, before the checkered flag drops again next Sunday afternoon. But following the Daytona 500, the NASCAR schedule 2011 will have many more questions to answer.
With no football on Sundays, for the first time since late August, sports fans will need something else to watch on the weekend. As such, stock cars are coming back just in time, as they hold their annual Super Bowl next week.
As such, the NASCAR schedule 2011 continues a tradition of being different than others. The sport is one of the few where their biggest event starts the season, instead of being in the middle or the end. Therefore, the Daytona 500 has a lot of expectations, especially this season.
A new racing surface has been installed, with its first major test to come tonight in the Bud Shootout. Fingers are crossed that it will hold up well, so that it won't be a controversy going into Sunday. They also hope that weather, terrible crashes, and other obstacles won't play a part as well.
Following the Daytona 500, the NASCAR schedule 2011 moves to less hyped races. Phoenix, Las Vegas, Bristol and Fontana host the next few events, with visits to Martinsville on April 3, and Talledega on April 17. Darlington and Dover start off May, with the Coca Cola 600 serving as the year's second crown jewel on May 29.
Pocono and Michigan highlight June, with the return to Daytona coming on July 2. The Brickyard 400 is held a bit early on July 31, right as the Chase for the Cup looms. After the September 10 race in Richmond, the quest to deny Jimmie Johnson's sixth straight title begins.
The Chase part of the NASCAR schedule 2011 begins on September 18 in Chicago. By then, officials hope that the revised points system can ensure a fight to the finish, on par with last year's nail-biting finale.
