Well I cant remember a year in recent memory we have had so many LM rookies. Should be a good battle all year between the 18, 44, 50, & 84 to see who will be the Rookie of the Year. On opening night the one that impressed me the most was the 50. Larry seemed to really have the handle on that car. Now young Baker did run really well in the heats but I seen a couple times he badly overdrove the car including being the cause of the wreck just a couple laps into the feature that sidelined the 36 for the night and left young Watson badly damaged. Now I am in no means bashing Kyle as from what I know of him he seems like a fine young man and I know I wouldnt do as well as he did opening night myself. Kyle finished 2nd and 4th in his two heats while Woodward had a 5th and didnt come out for his 2nd heat due to a mechanical problem I would suspect. And in the feature Larry was the top finisher at 11th so I think that carries some merit too. As for the 44&84 they ran well too for the first real night in the car at the tricky tri oval and I would gather that once both get more comfortable they will see some good results as well.

I think Kyle will run away with it, but the others are definitely not slouches.

I feel the same as you Dave, #50 Larry Woodward seemed to be the best rookie out there on Saturday. He was very smooth & never got in to anybody, did much better than I expected. Kyle did very well in the heats but may have been better to start near the back for his first feature. I am not bashing him at all, but that must have been a little intimidating starting at the front with all the fast runners & on the outside as well. #44 Yikes! Had a rough night & did not make many friends, but he will improve as the year goes on. The 84 I never really watched so I can't comment.

I too think it will be between the 18 of Baker jr, and the 50 of Woodward. woodward seemed to have a good handle on the car for sure.  And knowing how much more interested Kyle is this year, It wont be long before he's putting the pressure on too!! Especially in that car, the same car as his old man drove last year for the championship run