2011 Coke Zero 400 Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway this week for the 2011 Coke Zero 400. It is a drastic change of scenery from last week’s road race at Sonoma, where Kurt Busch dominated the field for his first win of the season. The race is scheduled to get underway Saturday at 7:30 ET and can be seen nationally on TNT. This is a special race for NASCAR fans watching at home, as it’s the only race of the season that will be televised without commercial interruptions.
Expect the same style of restrictor-plate racing that we saw earlier in the year at the Daytona 500. The best way for the drivers to manage this race is to team up with whoever is around them. While drivers would prefer to team up with their teammates, it will come as no surprise to see rivals working together to win this race. Some fans like this style of racing and others seem to be bothered by it. Either way you can expect an entertaining race as there really isn’t a driver in the field that doesn’t have a shot to win.
Trevor Bayne’s win at the Daytona 500 proves that this race is completely up for grabs, as it all comes down to position late. Kevin Harvick won this event in 2010, but the driver that has had the most success at this event is Tony Stewart, who has won this race three times since 2005.
For those of you looking to place a wager on who will win the Coke Zero 400, here is a look at the three drivers I feel have the best shot at making their way to victory lane.
Carl Edwards – Even though Edwards has never won at Daytona, he has really raced well over his last five starts on this track. He finished second this year at the Daytona 500, and has finished in the top 10 in four of his last five starts. While you can’t read much into his 3rd place finish last week at Sonoma, Edwards is working off back-t0-back top five finishes. Edwards has just won win on the season at the Kobalt Tools 400, but has nine top five finishes, which has kept him on top the point standings for much of the season. If you are looking for a favorite to lay some money on this week, Edwards is our number one option.
Kurt Bush - Busch is now 4th in the point standings after his win last week. While Daytona is a complete different style of race than the one Busch won at Sonoma, I feel like he is going to build off that win and really put together a solid showing this weekend. Busch has also yet to find the checkered flag at Daytona, but has 10 top five finishes in his career. He had a solid fifth place showing at the Daytona 500, and finished 7th at this race a year ago. Busch is also working on four top 10 finishes (3 in the top 5) in his last four starts this season. I have a good feeling he is going to be in the right place to steal this race down the stretch.
David Gilliland – With the recent success that long shots have had at this race, this is a great time to throw a little money on one of these guys that never have much of a chance of winning. In the two place races this season Gilliland finished 3rd at Daytona and 9th at Talladega. Outside of a 12th place finish on the road track last week, its the only time he has finished inside the top 22 this season.
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