Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
2020 Daytona 500: Storylines to watch
Greetings race fans. It's Daytona 500 day.
When the green flag drops at 3:18 p.m. today at Daytona, here are some storylines to watch.
Team alliances
How much will teams work together, if situations on track allow for them to do so? I foresee this being a major strategy, once again, for Chevy, Ford and Toyota. But history has shown the best plans usually are interrupted by the reality of plate racing. Those alliances usually don’t last, especially after cars get knocked out after big wrecks. We’ll see how this plays out and how much it determines the outcome of the race.
Blocking
Brad Keselowski and others have expressed concern about blocking and the major wrecks it is causing this Speedweeks. How much will drivers take that into account when they are making decisions as they battle for the lead and through the field? Hopefullly cooler heads will prevail, but when chasing the checkered flag common sense often goes out the window. We’ll learn this afternoon which side wins out.
Hailie Deegan gives us glimpse of bright future with 2nd-place Daytona performance
One thing is clear after this weekend: Ford has hit a home run by bringing Hailie Deegan on board.
The 18-year-old phenom has a strong racing pedigree, talent to spare, and a great attitude overall. Previously, her detractors have critiqued her willingness to use the chrome horn to get a victory. But in Saturday’s ARCA race, she showed she has the patience to go far in this sport, and not make enemies unnecessarily.
Deegan’s efforts landed her a 2ndplace finish, sandwiched between two Venturini cars in 1stand 3rd, and she was happy with her effort.
“Pretty much at the end there, all I wanted to do was finish. My goal for this race was top three to top-five was a victory for me,” Deegan said. “It is a long season and I have to race against these guys week in and week out. It is best to stay on good terms with them. Second is really a win to me this weekend. Winning the first race would have maybe been a little too high of standards for the rest of the season. Everything would have been downhill. This gives me something to still work towards.”
Is Busch Clash wreckfest a sneak preview of Daytona 500?
As I watched Joey Logano’s car turned into a lawn mower, Jimmie Johnson take a brutal hit into the wall, and so many other cars losing sheet metal today, part of me was thinking that this Busch Clash crashfest (which came late in the race after mostly single file racing through the early parts) may be an anomaly. It’s a non-points race, first of the season, etc., and won’t carry over to Sunday’s Daytona 500.
But that part of me is probably wrong. My other half, the realistic one, knows that winning the Daytona 500 is probably going to be the biggest win of their career for most of the drivers on the grid. So while I’m somewhat confident we’ll have more than 6 cars finishing the Daytona 500, don’t be surprised if the crazy blocks and big-time wrecks just keep on coming when the field of 40 takes the green on Feb. 16.
Stream Companies showcasing dealership technology at NADA 2020
Stream Companies, a marketing industry leader that has been successfully merging and integrating the worlds of traditional and digital advertising for more than two decades, will be sharing its latest technology and expertise at NADA 2020 from Feb. 14-17, 2020.
In today’s high-tech world of auto dealership marketing, Stream Companies is leading the way with its innovative technology, improving both user experience and sales success for dealerships.
Co-founder and CEO David Regn highlighted a few top trends to watch in 2020 and beyond.
“The three biggest trends in digital marketing for dealers in 2020 are personalization, AI-based automation and voice search,” said Regn. “People-based marketing and building innovative technology solutions to elevate marketing efforts will define this new decade.”
2020 Nissan Versa steps up in style, technology
Long viewed as one of the more basic, low-priced vehicles available to buyers on a budget, the Nissan Versa comes back for 2020 with a redesign aimed at stepping up its status among subcompact vehicles.
I recently spent some time in a 2020 Versa and I’m back with a full report on how impactful the changes for the new model were, and how it competes in the subcompact sedan segment.
LOOKS
While in the past the Versa mostly blended in and lacked character in its exterior design, the 2020 Versa makes a strong impression and delivers a big step up design-wise — with a new look that’s lower to the ground, as well as wider and longer, and featuring sharp lines.
A statement is also made with the new interior, which feels quite comfortable and is more upscale than its bargain basement price would lead you to expect. The Versa seats 5 people, though the rear seating will be tight for adults. Controls are well placed and easy to use.
2020 Mazda6 delivers sporty drive, class-leading style
When you’re battling the likes of top-sellers like the Camry and Accord, standing out in the midsize sedan category isn't easy. But that is the task facing the underdog Mazda6.
Despite that daunting task, the brand succeeds fully in this quest.
After a week in the 2020 Mazda6, I can confidently say that due to a combination of sharp design, strong power plant and technology, the flagship Mazda6 sedan makes its case as one of the best, perhaps even THE best, in class.
Stunning new 2020 Kia Telluride puts all 3-row SUVs on notice
Move over, usual suspects.
Kia's bold U.S. strategy continues with the 2020 Telluride, its biggest SUV yet and one aimed squarely at families in the U.S. market, where bigger is often viewed as better by consumers.
And it’s already making waves, earning rave reviews and no doubt making the competition nervous, especially after taking home the NACTOY Utility of the Year award in January 2020.
Read on for a full report on how it stands up to the usual front-runners among three-row SUVs.
LOOKS
The Telluride is by all measures a well-designed vehicle, featuring a bold yet sleek-looking exterior, and a roomy and versatile interior.
The Kia front grille boasts one of the most attractive designs in the SUV landscape. 18-inch alloy wheels are standard, while higher trims feature 20-inch wheels.
Inside is where the Telluride shows its true colors and really earns its nearly universal praise, with the Kia model giving off true luxury vibes for a much-lower starting price.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offers comfort, terrific tech options
If we’re talking about Hyundai SUVs, most of the focus in recent months is on the Palisade, Hyundai’s new full-size three-row model that was a finalist for the NACTOY Utility of the Year. But the good news for Hyundai, and the SUV-buying public, is that even if the Palisade isn’t the best fit for all consumers, there’s plenty of strength throughout Hyundai’s SUV lineup.
Once such example is the midsize Santa Fe, which got a full redesign in 2019 and sees minor changes for 2020. I recently spent some time in a Santa Fe, and I’m back with a full report on how it compares in this highly competitive segment.
LOOKS
The exterior design of the Santa Fe is svelte and elegant, yet still a bit imposing at the same time.
I was impressed with the quality of the materials used on the interior, which was approaching near-luxury territory on the Limited trim level that I tested. Highlights included a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel and extremely comfortable leather seating. You also get heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, push-button start, manual rear sunshades, and a long and attractive panoramic sunroof
2020 Lexus NX 300h sets a strong standard for luxury hybrids
While the end game will be fully electric cars and automated vehicles for the masses, in the meantime most of the American public are likely to take baby steps in terms of the technological and planet-friendly changes that are coming to our daily driver vehicles.
Therefore, hybrids continue to have their place in the market, including on the luxury level, where many folks are seeking green credentials in addition to luxury, comfort and high-tech features.
For that crowd, enter Exhibit A: The 2020 Lexus NX 300h, a compact hybrid SUV that brings a lot to the table.
LOOKS
Hybrids aren’t usually associated with stylish looks (they tend to be more about the fuel mileage, period, with design as an afterthought). But with the bold signature Lexus grille, and a creased side silhouette that stands out from the competition, the NX 300h delivers in terms of looks.
CES 2020: StradVision to showcase breakthroughs in AV vision processing technology
When CES 2020 opens on Jan. 7 in Las Vegas for its four-day run, one major theme will be the visions of the technological future being presented by its many participants. StradVision, an industry leader in vision processing and perception technology for Autonomous Vehicles, will be on site at CES showcasing their vision literally — demonstrating up-close how their SVNet softwarewill provide the eyes that guide the Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and ADAS systems of the future, including vehicles headed to roadways in 2020.
StradVision CEO Junhwan Kim said the company’s vision processing software will be a central component of AVs becoming a reality for the masses.
“The deep-learning based vision processing technology we are developing at StradVision will be a cornerstone of AV success,” Kim said. “We are excited to have an opportunity at CES 2020, one of the biggest events in the world, to show both the world and other technological pioneers the critical components that StradVision will be contributing as Autonomous Vehicles become the norm in years to come.”
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