New cars signal return to traditional racing at Daytona, Talladega

"I was on the damndest boat you've ever seen in your life," Bowyer said during the opening day of testing at Daytona International Speedway last week. "We don't have big boats in Kansas. I think [Gordon] was on that same boat. There was a lot of other people on there. It was a big time being had. I'm pretty sure he was on there. It was pretty late. Let's put it that way."

They came in separate groups — Gordon with his wife Ingrid Vandebosch, and Bowyer with fellow driver Kevin Harvick. And although they did share a "moment," it seems obvious from the cryptic answers that their feud is still simmering.

"Yeah, we held hands and walked on the boat, discussed the past year and enjoyed ourselves throughout the whole vacation," Bowyer said sarcastically. "That was the one person I wanted to — that I definitely wanted to — vacation with."

"I don't know, it was a great New Year's," Gordon said. " I enjoyed myself very much."

To rewind, the intentional hit on Bowyer's car literally destroyed his championship hopes. Bowyer then got out of his car and made a bee-line for Gordon, but they never clashed directly. Instead, members of each team wound up in a scrum.

PS: Stay tuned.

Chip and Dale

For the NASCAR connoisseur of fine dining who thinks they're stocked everything they need for the upcoming season, here's more food for thought: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has his own brand of potato chips.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports that Earnhardt Jr. has partnered with a company called KLN Family Brands to create "Dale Jr. Foods." It will distribute four flavors of potato chips: Crispy Original, Carolina Barbecue, Creole & Green Onion and Zesty Jalapeno.

"The jalapeno I like the best," Dale Jr. said. "I was surprised. I thought I would like the barbeque the best, but the jalapeno is pretty good."

Busch sets Nationwide sked

Kurt Busch will run three Nationwide Series restrictor-plate races for James Finch this season. Although Busch competed for Finch in 30 Sprint Cup races in 2012, his only wins came at the Nationwide Series race at Richmond in the seventh race of the season and in Daytona in July.

"He did a really good job for us on the plate races," Finch told FOX Sports. "We have a shot at winning all three."

Busch is set to compete full-time for Furniture Row Racing in the Sprint Cup series.