2012 Daytona 500 Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
We are less than a week away from the biggest NASCAR Sprint Cup event of the season, as the top drivers gear up for the 54th running of the Daytona 500. While most sports save the best for last, the Sprint Cup Series draws you in with the best they have to offer. Much like winning the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Finals, a racers career isn’t viewed the same if they don’t have a win at the Daytona 500.
The last two years have brought some big time surprises, as Jamie McMurray and Trevor Bayne have reminded everyone that this race can be one by anyone. One of the big questions coming into this race is whether or not one of the big names of the Sprint Cup Series will be able to steal back the spotlight from these guys who are given little to no chance to win. Prior to the huge upsets of McMurray and Bayne we watched Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. host up the Harley J. Earl trophy.
Two drivers that figure to get a lot of attention are 2011 Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick, who will be making her inaugural Sprint Cup start. Stewart put an end to Johnson’s five straight Championship seasons, now everyone wants to see if he can breakthrough and win his first ever Daytona 500. Patrick brings a lot of media attention along with her, and you can bet she will have a few extra eyes watching this race. What a story it would be if she won her first Sprint Cup race here. Let’s be honest, the odds aren’t great but who would have picked Bayne to win the damn thing last year?
Another driver that figures to get a little extra media attention is Carl Edwards, who won the pole for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Edwards was right there with Stewart in the race for the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship, finishing just 1-point back. Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle earned the No. 2 starting spot. The rest of the field is still up in the air, as Daytona has a very unique qualifying format.
Picking the winner of the Daytona 500 is no easy task, but I’m going to take my shot and throw out three drivers who I feel have a shot at winning this race.
Jimmie Johnson – I fully expect the No. 48 car to return to the top in 2012, and what better way to send a message to the rest of the field than to win the Daytona 500. The poor 2011 season allowed Johnson to make some changes to his car that he believes will have him back in front.
Carl Edwards – Edwards is another driver that will be motivated to answer the critiques. In the 54 year history of the Daytona 500 only nine drivers have went on to win the race after winning the pole. I believe Edwards has what it takes to be the 10th to accomplish the feat. He has finished in the top 10 in consecutive starts at this race, including a runner-up to Bayne a season ago.
Joey Logano – I’m going to go out on a limb and take a big upset for my final pick. The 21-year-old Logano has what it takes to win this race, and it’s just about time the 2009 Rookie of the Year made his name known to the world. This will be Logano’s fourth appearance at the Daytona 500. Look for him to come in more relaxed and confident that he can be the next driver to pull off an upset at the Daytona 500.
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One Response to “2012 Daytona 500 Predictions”
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I really think Dale Jr. will win the Daytona 500 he deserves a win there he knows he can win there so i really think he can pull it of but my three drivers are 1) Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2) Jeff Gordan 3) Kevin Harvick one of those 3 drivers will win the Daytona 500