In a move I did not expect, NASCAR has blocked the transfer of owner points from the #41 Earnhardt-Ganassi car to the #09 Phoenix Racing machine which will be piloted by Rochester Hills native Brad Keselowski at Daytona. Instead, Marcos Ambrose will be locked into the top 35 and have a guaranteed spot in the first five races.

As much as I want Keselowski to succeed, I am on record as being against NASCAR allowing teams to work out deals to buy their way into the top 35 and glad this deal didn‘t go through. The basis for the denial is that Brad will not be running the full Cup schedule this year, and would have been considered a part-time rookie driver in a fifth car at EGR. NASCAR has decided that does not meet their criteria for an allowable transfer, and I have to give them a little credit.

We’re past the point where this points swapping has turned into silliness, and it needs to be cut off ASAP.

I’m still confident Brad can make the show, despite the large number of cars trying out. He put on great performances at both of the 2008 Nationwide races at Daytona, and the Phoenix Racing cars are usually stout at Daytona. If he stays out of the wall in next week’s Duels, you should see him racing in the 500.