Earnhardt Jr. Goes For The Speedweeks Sweep

Daytona International Speedway -- 02/17/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Friday Feb 15 2008 1:48pm

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Odds +330

After watching the Budweiser Shootout and the first Gatorade Duel qualifying race, it is clear that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is the unmistakable favorite to win the 50th running of the Daytona 500. Obviously, Earnhardt, Jr. has settled into to his new home at Hendrick Motorsports. He was the dominate force on the superspeedways earlier in the decade, and he is beginning to display that same ascendancy with his new team. The performance could not be any better and Earnhardt, Jr. looks primed and ready to conquer his second Daytona 500 victory. More importantly, the confidence that may have eluded him over the past couple of years has returned.

Prior to this year’s Speedweeks, DEI, Earnhardt, Jr.’s, former team, had plummeted way behind the Hendrick Motorsports restrictor plate program. In fact, the last time Earnhardt, Jr. won a superspeedway event was in October of 2004 at Talladega. He also won the Daytona 500 that same season.

Earnhardt, Jr. finished 32nd in last year’s Daytona 500 and 36th in the Pepsi 400.

2. Tony Stewart: Odds +450

As usual, Tony Stewart has performed exceptionally well throughout Daytona Speedweeks. However, he has yet to pull his new Toyota Camry into the winner’s circle. Nonetheless, he has come close, he finished second to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the Bud Shootout, and he finished second to his teammate Denny Hamlin in the second Gatorade Duel qualifying race. I have said this before; Tony Stewart has won just about everything you can possibly win at Daytona except for the coveted Daytona 500. Folks, he is long overdue. It reminds of a past legend’s struggles to win the Great American Race.

Tony Stewart is actually my pick to win the Daytona 500.

Stewart finished 43rd in last year’s Daytona 500 and 38th in the Pepsi 400.

3. Jeff Gordon: Odds- +470

Surprisingly, Jeff Gordon has somewhat flown under the radar throughout the past week as Dale Earnhardt, Jr, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch have dominated the headlines. The four-time champion, not six-time champion as some wish to believe, could easily impose on the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. show on Sunday. He may not lead the most laps, or even run among the top five, but once crunch time arrives, Jeff Gordon will be right there among the front pack.

Jeff Gordon finished 10th in last year’s Daytona 500 and 5th in the Pepsi 400.

4. Jimmie Johnson: Odds +540

The 2006 Daytona 500 winner is still a safe pick regardless of the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Speedweeks supremacy. He has emerged as one of NASCAR’s premier restrictor plate racers, and he has the potent supply of Hendrick Motorsports horsepower. Like his teammate Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson may chill towards the back of the pack until the race reaches its crucial closing laps.

Jimmie Johnson finished 39th in last year’s Daytona 500 and 10th in the Pepsi 400.

5. Denny Hamlin: Odds +860

In a matter of hours, Denny Hamlin’s nascar odds to win the Daytona 500 have augmented. Hamlin flexed some muscle on Thursday when he passed his teammate Tony Stewart, and held off a last lap challenge from Jeff Gordon to win the second Gatorade Duel race. There is quite a gap between Johnson and Hamlin mainly because the young driver tends to be all over the place. There is no denying that Hamlin is fast, but sometimes it appears as if he pushes the car too much too early. A couple of drivers complained about him in the Bud Shootout.

Aggressive drivers can win the Daytona 500. Recall Ernie Irvan won this race back when he was ‘Swervin’ Irvan.

Denny Hamlin finished 28th in last year’s Daytona 500 and 43rd in the Pepsi 400.

6. Kyle Busch: Odds +1200

Like Hamlin, Kyle Busch is perilous on the superspeedways. Nevertheless, Joe Gibbs Racing has let the world know that they are a force in Daytona.

Kyle Busch finished 24th in last year’s Daytona 500 and 2nd in the Pepsi 400.

7. Kevin Harvick: Odds +1400

Harvick is the defending champion, so he is fully aware of what it takes to win this race. It will be difficult for him to repeat, but he is sure to be a factor.

Kevin Harvick won last year’s Daytona 500 and finished 34th in the Pepsi 400.

8. Kurt Busch: Odds +1480

After watching the Gatorade Duels, his teammate Ryan Newman may be a better pick. Still, Kurt Busch is not a bad pick, not a great pick either.

Kurt Busch finished 41st in last year’s Daytona 500 and 3rd in the Pepsi 400.

9. Casey Mears: Odds +1800

Casey Mears may finish well, but sticking with one of his three teammates would be wise.

Mears finished 20th in last year’s Daytona 500 and 19th in the Pepsi 400.

10. Carl Edwards: Odds + 1950

What Carl Edwards has done to warrant these nascar odds is beyond me. I would stay away from Ford drivers altogether.

Edwards finished 23rd in last year’s Daytona 500 and 4th in the Pepsi 400.

Darkhorse picks- Ryan Newman (nascar odds +2650), Martin Truex, Jr. (nascar odds +3100), Mark Martin (nascar odds +2200)

My top ten picks

1. Tony Stewart 2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 3. Jimmie Johnson 4. Jeff Gordon 5. Kevin Harvick 6. Kyle Busch 7. Denny Hamlin 8. Casey Mears 9. Mark Martin 10. Martin Truex, Jr.