Interesting is good, new is good. Rod is a average driver and his showings as Vegas has been mediocre at best. Vegas is supposed to be the best event in the world with the best drivers. If I wanted to see trucks putt around on the track I would go to a small event. As far as Blackwell not being there this year, it is not entirely surprising as FELD tends to swap out certain drivers year in and out (Tingler, Blackwell, Huffaker, etc). Sims has always done pretty decent at vegas atleast for freestyle but there is a strong possibility that he just didnt want to participate this year more then he got left out. This sport is starting to hit a transition faze where the new blood needs to be established and shown that it can carry the torch forward. Getting all worked up before they have even taken to the track is silly, let it play out first.