Coke Zero 400 News and Notes

Coke Zero 400 Preview
By Micah Roberts

For the NASCAR bettor, there is nothing more exhilarating than seeing fair odds listed by a sportsbook on a race with a theoretic hold of less than 30% -- well, maybe actually winning is better, but the fair odds treatment gets my juices flowing before the event even starts. That’s why I was beaming on Tuesday when I saw the odds released by the Las Vegas Hilton Super Book for this week’s race at Daytona; no driver was listed at lower than 10/1.

The three co-favorites this week at 10/ 1 are Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and Kevin Harvick with four others listed at 12/1, and then three others at 15/1 before getting into the 20 to 1 range. There is a lot of value this week, but unlike most of the non-restrictor plate races this season, it truly is a crap shoot which is why the generous odds are plentiful.

What a transition we have seen in restrictor plate races in just a mere two seasons. For almost a decade, the restrictor plate races offered some of the lowest odds on the favorites because they became so predictable -- almost more so than road course races with Jeff Gordon when he was dominating. Between the run DEI had with Dale Earnhardt Jr and Michael Waltrip and Hendrick Motorsports with Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and even Brian Vickers, it was fairly easy to predict which led to the odds being very short.

You could pretty much just pick a Chevy to win at Daytona and be in good shape because from the fall of 1992 to the 1997 Daytona 500, a Chevy had won 22 of 30 races at Daytona. Beginning in the fall of 2007, we saw a massive switch in power that began the trend of uncertainty and led to such fair odds being given by the sports books for restrictor plate races. In the six races run since then, we have seen two different Fords and Toyotas win, a Dodge, and a Chevy win. The Chevrolet drought ended this year with Jamie McMurray winning this year’s Daytona 500.

McMurray is listed at 15/1 this week and is the only driver in the last six Daytona races to have won twice, having done so in Roush Ford and a DEI Chevy. If mixing in Talladega, where McMurray won last year in a Ford, you could argue that McMurray currently is the best restrictor plate driver in the series now. Following up his Daytona 500 victory this year, McMurray went to Talladega this year and nearly won, but settled for runner-up.

Dale Earnhardt Jr hasn’t won a race in over two years and even then, that Michigan race he won with fumes, a race he basically stole, could be considered a marginal win. We’d have to go back to 2006 to find a quality win for Earnhardt Jr. It’s hard to forget the past with Junior though, especially in plate races where he won seven times on the combined tracks of Talladega and Daytona. No one sees the air in the draft quite like Junior. It’s almost like he has that gene passed down from his father who was arguably the greatest restrictor-plate driver of all time, even though he repeatedly said he hated racing with the plates on.

This week, Junior comes in with his best streak of the season as he makes a steady climb into the top-12. He’s only three points out of 12th-place. Junior has had the three best consecutive runs of the season coming in and now gets to race on a track that has his only top-five run of the season. During the season opening Daytona 500, Junior made a late charge and finished second. He’s listed at 12/1 odds this week and based on what we saw earlier this season, he looks like a good play.

I know it’s hard to bet on a driver who has only one win in four years, but this looks like his time shine. For the first time since Daytona, Junior finally seems to have the mindset and body language of being focused and somewhat rejuvenated because of his teams’ recent success. He’s no longer the “aww geez, shucks, I don’t know happened” Junior, He’s the positive vibe Junior looking to make the Chase.

Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart have won two restrictor plate races each since 2008, one each at Daytona and Talladega. Stewart won this race last year with his new team while winning at Talladega driving for Joe Gibbs. Over his career, Stewart has won three times in the July Daytona race while never winning the Daytona 500. Kyle Busch has had the best combined race set-up for each of the plate races since he’s been with Joe Gibbs beginning in 2008. He’s had a lot of bad luck in between the wins, including his aggressive run-in with Stewart just before the finish line that sent him into the wall.

Kevin Harvick is currently the leader in points, but the name of the game once the Chase starts is beginning with the most wins. Currently, Harvick only has one win and would see his lead evaporate once the Chase starts. He‘d be behind Denny Hamlin and Johnson who have five wins each and the Busch brothers who each have two wins. His motivation this week should be that this is likely his best opportunity to get a win of the nine races remaining because he has always been so good in plate races. He won the 2007 Daytona 500 and won at Talladega earlier this season.

Jeff Gordon is six time winner at Daytona but hasn’t had a top-five finish since this race in 2007 when he was fifth. In four of his last five Daytona starts, Gordon has finished 26th or worse which is hardly the type of results we expect from someone, and a team, that had been so dominant in plate races over the last decade.

Jimmie Johnson rode the Hendrick gravy-train while things were good within their plate program that included getting two plate wins in 2006. Since that win in 2006, it’s been all down hill for Johnson as he’s only had one top-five in the eight Daytona races since. The lone Daytona bright spot was collecting a runner-up finish in this race last year, a favorable finish position considering it was Kyle Busch who crashed himself out of a second-place finish.

A driver that may have some value this week is one that has never won a plate race. Kurt Busch has come close several times and is regarded as the best driver in NASCAR to never have won a plate race. He always seems to lead laps and be one of the few trusted drivers that others feel confident drafting with. He’s had four straight top-five finishes in the Firecracker and sooner or later, he is finally going to break through with that big win. 15 to 1 odds for a driver that always seem to be around the lead pack makes him someone that should be a part of most betting equations for Saturday night’s race.

Top-5 Finish Prediction:

1) #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr (12/1)
2) #29 Kevin Harvick (10/1)
3) #1 Jamie McMurray (15/1)
4) #18 Kyle Busch (10/1)
5) #2 Kurt Busch (15/1)

Driver Handicaps: Daytona
RacingOne.com

This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday's Coke Zero 400. To help you make your fantasy racing picks, Motor Racing Network brings you our weekly detailed look at some of the field for the 160-lap event.

Who's HOT at Daytona
• Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with six wins.
• Kurt Busch has the best average finish (5.2) with the COT.
• Three-time July winner Tony Stewart leads all drivers with 633 laps led.
• 2008 July winner Kyle Busch has led the most laps (209) with the COT.
• Carl Edwards has finished in the top five in the last three Coke Zero 400s.
• 2009 Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth has finished eighth or better in his last four starts.
• Kevin Harvick won the 2007 Daytona 500 and is coming off consecutive Budweiser Shootout wins.
• Clint Bowyer leads all drivers with a 12.3 average finish.
• Jamie McMurray is coming off his second win at Daytona.

Keep an Eye on at Daytona
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. is coming off his seventh top five at Daytona.
• Juan Pablo Montoya has finished in the top 10 in his last two starts at Daytona.
• Richard Petty Motorsports had a good outing during Speedweeks, but encountered bad luck in the 500.
• Martin Truex Jr. recorded his first top 10 at Daytona in February.
• Denny Hamlin has led 102 laps in the five races with the COT at Daytona.
• Greg Biffle will return in the same car that led 27 laps at Daytona in February.
• Jimmie Johnson has the fifth-best driver rating in the last 11 races at Daytona.

Top 30 Driver Notes - Ordered by current standings

(All stats/notes are in regards to Daytona International Speedway unless noted)

1. Kevin Harvick: Fifth-best average finish (12.2) in the five races with the new car; Winner of the 2007 Daytona 500 and last two Budweiser Shootouts; Finished seventh in this year's Daytona 500 for seventh top 10 in 18 starts; Best finish in the July race is a pair of ninth-place runs; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 295) that led 41 laps in February at Daytona.

2. Jimmie Johnson: 23.6 average finish in the five races with the new car; Second-place finish last July was ninth top 10 in 17 starts; Winner of the 2006 Daytona 500; Leads all drivers with an average running position of 10.9 in the last 11 races; Only has led seven laps in the July race; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 547) that finished 35th in this year's Daytona 500 after the axle broke.

3. Kyle Busch: Winner of the 2008 July race; 14.8 average finish in five starts with Joe Gibbs Racing; Has combined to lead 233 laps in his last six starts; Second-best driver rating in the past 11 races; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 260) that ran in both restrictor-plate races this season, finishing 14th (Daytona) and ninth (Talladega).

4. Denny Hamlin: Only top 10 in nine starts came in this event last year; Led 63 laps in that race en route to a third-place finish; Winner of the 2006 Budweiser Shootout; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 200) that finished 26th in the 2008 July race at Daytona.

5. Jeff Gordon: Six-time winner with three wins coming in the Coke Zero 400; Has posted an average finish of 27.2 in his last five starts; Last top 10 in the 400 came in 2007 when he finished fifth; Sixth-best driver rating in the past 11 races.

6. Kurt Busch: Leads all drivers with a 8.8 average finish in the five races with the new car; Has finished in the top five in the last four Coke Zero 400s; Led 33 laps in this year's Daytona 500; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 636) in the Coke Zero 400.

7. Matt Kenseth: Fourth-best average finish (11.2) in the five races with the new car; Only driver to finish in the top 10 in last four races; Third-best driver rating in the past 11 races; 2009 Daytona 500 winner; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 678) that finished eighth in the 2010 Daytona 500.

8. Jeff Burton: Only top 10 in 10 starts with Richard Childress Racing came in the 2007 Daytona 500 in third; Won the 2000 July race with Roush Racing; Win was one of seven top 10s with Roush; 12th-best driver rating in the past 11 races; Will debut a new chassis (No. 312) in the Coke Zero 400.

9. Tony Stewart: Defending event winner; Win was one of three in the Coke Zero 400; 104.5 driver rating ranks No. 1 among all drivers in the past 11 races; Leads all drivers with 516 laps led in the past 11 races.

10. Greg Biffle: Coming off fourth top 10 in 15 starts; Third-place finish in the 2010 Daytona 500 is best since winning 2003 July race; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 673) that led 27 laps at Daytona in February.

11. Mark Martin: 21.4 average finish in the five races with the new car; Won the pole and finished 12th in this year's Daytona 500; Worst finish (38th) in three starts with Hendrick Motorsports came in this event last year; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 560) that raced in both restrictor-plate tracks this year; This car most recently finished fifth at Talladega in April.

12. Carl Edwards: Second-best average finish (10.4) in the five races with the new car; Led a race high 42 laps in this year's Budweiser Shootout; Has finished in the top five in the last three Coke Zero 400s; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 692) in the Coke Zero 400.

13. Dale Earnhardt Jr: Coming off seventh top five in 21 starts; Winner of the 2004 Daytona 500 and 2001 Coke Zero 400; 17.0 average finish in five starts with Hendrick Motorsports; Six top 10s in the July race; Led 51 laps and finished eighth in the 2008 Coke Zero 400; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 575) that finished 12th at Talladega in April.

14. Ryan Newman: 30.0 average finish in three starts with Stewart-Haas Racing; Won the 2008 Daytona 500 and recorded three top 10s in previous 14 starts with Penske Racing; Will race the same car (chassis No. 596) that was rebuilt after a practice crash at Talladega in April.

15. Clint Bowyer: Leads all drivers with a 12.3 average finish; Equaled best finish (fourth) in this year's Daytona 500; Three top 10s in the July race; Seventh-best driver rating in the past 11 races; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 296) in the Coke Zero 400.

16. Joey Logano: Best finish in three starts came in this event last year in 19th; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 235) that finished seventh in February's Budweiser Shootout.

17. Jamie McMurray: Won this year's Daytona 500 for third career restrictor-plate win; Three of his four top 10s came in the July race, including a win in 2007; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 1002) in the Coke Zero 400.

18. Martin Truex Jr: Finished sixth in first track start with Michael Waltrip Racing in February; Finish was first top 10 in 10 starts; Best previous finish came in the 2009 Daytona 500 when he came home 11th after starting from the pole.

19. David Reutimann: Coming off best track finish - fifth in February; Only top five in seven starts; 22.6 average finish.

20. Kasey Kahne: Four top 10s in 13 starts; 18.8 average finish, but only has a 24.7 average finish with RPM; Started fourth this February and led four laps, but crashed out to finish 30th.

21. AJ Allmendinger: Finished a track-best third in the 2009 Daytona 500; 23.5 average finish in four starts; Bringing same car (chassis No. 682) that he led 11 laps with this February before finishing 32nd.

22. Juan Pablo Montoya: Coming off two consecutive top-10 results; Finished a track best ninth in this event last year and 10th in this year's Daytona 500; 22.0 average finish after seven starts; Led his first laps (2) this February; Piloting brand-new chassis No. 1010 this weekend.

23. Paul Menard: Coming off best track finish of 13th; Led 19 laps from the pole en route to a 15th-place finish in this event in 2008; 22.0 average finish in six starts; Piloting same chassis (No. 675) that he drove this February.

24. David Ragan: Has finished 16th or better in every race he's finished (six out of seven starts); Three top-10 finishes, which includes two fifth-place results, most recently in this event in 2008; 14.1 average finish; Bringing brand-new chassis (RK-691) to track this weekend.

25. Brad Keselowski: Set for third Cup start at track; Previous results were 24th last year and 36th in this year's Daytona 500; Bringing brand-new chassis (PRS-637) this weekend.

26. Scott Speed: Making fourth start; Finished a track best 19th in February after leading 12 laps from the 30th starting position; 28.3 average finish.

27. Marcos Ambrose: Scored only top 10 (sixth) in this event last year; 21.3 average finish after three starts.

28. Elliott Sadler: Four top fives and nine top 10s in 23 starts; 17.3 average finish; In three starts with RPM, has an average finish of 13.0 with 33 laps led; Piloting chassis No. 283, which he finished 24th with this February after leading nine laps.

29. Sam Hornish Jr: Yet to finish in the top-10 in five starts; Track best 15th-place finish came in track debut in the 2008 Daytona 500; 29.0 average finish.

30. Regan Smith: Finished a track best 12th in this event last year after starting 43rd; 26.6 average finish in five starts.

Underdogs can prove lucrative at Daytona
By: Steve Makinen

It’s had a handful of different names over the years, including Firecracker 400, Pepsi 400 and now Coke Zero 400, but Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona is always one of the best on the yearly schedule. This race is how NASCAR honors the 4th of July weekend, and it is well-recognized for fireworks both on and off the track. The combination of night racing, superspeedway action at the circuit’s most famous track, and holiday pageantry make the Coke Zero 400 “must-see TV”. On top of all that, Daytona is always competitive down to the final pass of the start-finish line, and while there are certain favorites who will be out front for much of Saturday’s race, underdogs are certainly capable of winning. Consider Jamie McMurray, winner of February’s Daytona 500, and owner of three straight Top 2 finishes on plate tracks. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com show him at an intriguing 16-1 price.

There are a handful of drivers who have consistently set the pace at Daytona and Talladega since the introduction of the COT in NASCAR back in ’07. In fact, there are four drivers that have led over 200 laps in the 11 plate races run in the new cars. Those would include Kyle Busch (310 LL, 13-2 odds), Denny Hamlin (244, 18-1), Tony Stewart (242, 6-1), and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (201, 10-1). Of the four, Hamlin and Junior haven’t registered a win in that span, while Busch and Stewart have recorded two each. Jamie McMurray is the only other driver with multiple plate wins in that time frame. Furthermore, Stewart, Busch, and McMurray make up the last five winners of this race, with Stewart having accomplished the feat three times, including last July. As you analyze the stats for the plate tracks, note that they can be deceiving, as Busch and Stewart, despite their lofty laps led totals and multiple wins, are tied for just fourth in average finish in plate races since October ’07, with 15.91. A driver is just as likely to score a Top 10 finish in these races as he is to wreck and DNF.

As I just indicated, average finish statistics at Daytona can be misleading. Look no further than the fact that the driver with the lowest average finish in his career here is Clint Bowyer (14-1), with a very modest 17.9. He only owns two Top 5’s without a win in eight career starts. Jeff Gordon (8-1) paces the field with six career DIS wins but has not reached Victory lane at this prestigious venue since February ’05. Therefore, with the favorites being recognized earlier, albeit some with less than favorite odds, are there any other darkhorses to consider? Of course, and I would start with Kurt Busch (8-1), Matt Kenseth (12-1), Kevin Harvick (13-1), and Ryan Newman (22-1), each of whom is highly regarded for his plate-track prowess. In fact, the driver with the best record during the past three years is Kurt Busch. He entered this year's Daytona 500 with a five-race streak of top-10s; better still, four of these were top-fives and that means he was in contention to win on any given weekend. He hasn't won on this track yet, but with three second-place finishes, he's come close. His willingness to push other drivers across the finish line is actually part of his strength, in fact, because it means he is less likely to get into trouble while trying to make an ill-timed pass. Kenseth, Harvick, and Newman have all actually benefitted recently from Busch’s help, each with a recent Daytona 500 win to his credit. Their timing has proven to just be a little better than that of Busch. Juan Montoya, David Ragan, Elliott Sadler, and Kasey Kahne are also capable plate racers.

You may have noticed that I’ve yet to mention the name of Jimmie Johnson, the four-time defending series champion and winner of the series’ last two events. The truth is that Daytona has been far from his best track with just one win, 59 total laps led, and an average finish of 21.2 in 16 career starts. Sportsbook.com oddsmakers don’t seem to be taking him all that seriously for Saturday, listing him at 10-1 odds, well below his normal standard. In the COT, his average Daytona finish dips to 23.6 and he’s only been out front only five laps in five races. Jeff Gordon’s numbers haven’t been strong either, as he seems to have lost some of the plate track touch that highlighted the early part of his career. In the 11 COT plate races, he has a win, but that is his only top 5 in that span with an average finish of 24.8. Martin Truex has been even worse, with an average finish of 25.0 in those 11 starts and just a single Top 10. Of course, you can’t talk about plate track racing without mentioning the name of Mark Martin, whose disdain for it is well documented. The stats reflect it too. Though qualifying very well (5.9 average start), Martin has been bumped back often, with an average finish of 22.9 in his last eight starts.

I personally have attended this race three times in my near-decade long fandom of NASCAR. I’m telling you that very few sporting events can match the atmosphere like the Daytona summer race. Not only that, but the racing is breathtaking as well. Restrictor plate racing is a sight to see, and winning at Daytona is a coveted feat for any driver. Thus the action on the track is intense and competitive. There are a few things that are important to success at Daytona. Foremost is the ability to draft, while horsepower, and good aerodynamics run a close 2nd and 3rd. Aggressive drivers and rookies tend to be shunned out of the draft by the veterans. If this happens on the race’s last lap, a driver can fall as many as 15 spots in finishing position. The best plate drivers know how and when to make their move. One thing that isn’t all that important at Daytona, or plate tracks in general nowadays, is qualifying. As evidence, McMurray started 13th here in February, and only one of the last seven Daytona winners started in the Top 6. The chance for making up spots quickly is great. However, that said, it is good to at least demonstrate some horsepower in qualifying and practice. The lineup will be set on Friday at 4:10 PM ET.

It should be a colorful, exciting, and patriotic event as always, as the Sprint Cup Series runs its 18th race of the season, reaching the halfway point. The Green Flag is set to drop on Saturday at 7:49 PM ET on Saturday night. As always, the StatFox NASCAR FoxSheet, Driver Pages, and Matchup Analyzer are here to prepare you for all of the high speed excitement…

Another track repair at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -Daytona International Speedway has repaired another portion of the famed track, this one coming nearly five months after a pothole nearly shut down the Daytona 500.

Engineers examined the superspeedway following Thursday's practice sessions and found a 1-foot-by-4 1/2-foot area in turn two that needed repair as a precautionary measure.

Track officials say they will continue to inspect the track and make repairs as necessary this weekend.

The season-opening race in February was delayed twice because of a pothole between turns one and two. It took track workers more than two hours to repair the surface well enough to complete the race.

The area was repaired on a more permanent basis following the race, and Daytona is getting a new surface beginning next week.

Coke Zero 400: NASCAR Preview and Picks
By GREG ENGLE

While the rest of America celebrates the birth of a Nation, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series celebrates the halfway point of their season at the place the 2010 season started, Daytona International Speedway site of Saturday nights Coke Zero 400.

Best bets

Tony Stewart (+1000)

After a second place finish last week in New Hampshire, Stewart heads to Daytona with momentum on his side. Summer time is usually when Stewart seems to shine and coming into Daytona as the defending champion of this race giving him three wins overall, along with seven top five and 12 top 10s here, Stewart will be the favorite Saturday. Stewart wrecked his car in practice Thursday and will be in a backup, but Stewart has won several times before in similar situations.

Jeff Gordon (+1500)

Gordon leads all active drivers at Daytona with six wins. He also has 11 top fives, 17 top 10s and three poles. Gordon has been near the front all year and with while he has yet to win this season, at Daytona he is almost always a threat and should be Saturday.

Jimmie Johnson (+1200)

As he showed last week, Johnson is a threat to win anywhere, anytime. At Daytona Johnson has one win, six top fives, nine top 10s and two poles. Barring disaster, expect Johnson to be among the top contenders Saturday night.

Others to watch

Denny Hamlin (+1500)

Hamlin has shown to be one of the biggest threats to win it all this season. And while he may not have great stats at Daytona, remember that in his first race here in 2006 finished much higher than anyone was expecting.

Kevin Harvick (+1000)

Harvick heads to Daytona as the points leader, the same spot he’s held for the last 12 weeks. Harvick has been putting down strong, consistent runs to keep the points lead but made it clear last week that he needs to win. With a record of one win, six top fives, nine top 10s and two poles and a hunger to win, Harvick may just throw caution to the wind and go for it all this week.

Kyle Busch (+1000)

Busch arrived at Daytona on a mission. Last year he was leading the race on the final lap when contact sent him into the wall. This year Busch wants to avenge that loss. With one win, four top fives and four top 10s, he may just have a chance to win this weekend if he can tame the overaggressive that has hurt in the past.

Head to head

Greg Biffle vs. Carl Edwards

A battle of teammates in this matchup. Greg Biffle has one win, two top fives and four top 10 along with a pole. Edwards has never won here but has three top fives and four top 10 finishes. Edwards has been showing a bit better form in the last few weeks and although neither driver seems to be in winning form, look for Edwards to come out on top.

Mark Martin vs. Kurt Busch

Martin has two poles, nine top five and 17 top 10s, while Busch has nine top five and 10 top 10s. Martin has never been a fan of racing at Daytona and Talladega, but most often survives to finish. He won twice at Talladega, a feat he himself admits confuses him. Busch has a nearly identical record but his tendency to put himself in the wrong place at the wrong time leading to poor finishes may come back to haunt him. Look for Martin to win out over Busch.

Ryan Newman vs. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Newman has one win, two top fives and three top 10s here, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. has two wins, seven top fives and 12 top 10s. Despite the fact that Earnhardt’s last win here was in the 2004 Daytona 500 he has shown somewhat of an upward turn of late and that upward turn could culminate in a decent finish Saturday, at least ahead of Newman.

Practice Notes - Daytona
By Micah Roberts

Top 8 Driver Rating Following All Daytona Practice Sessions

Rating Driver Odds Practice 1 Practice 2 Daytona 500* Aaron's 499*

1 Kevin Harvick 10/1 13th 10th 7th 1st
Notes: Using same from Daytona 500 that led the most laps. Won 2010 Bud Shootout at Daytona.

2 Jamie McMurray 15/1 21st N/A 1st 2nd
Notes:Best combined plate race finishes in 2010 with a win and runner-up; three career plate wins.

3 Kyle Busch 10/1 11th 25th 14th 9th
Notes: Two career plate wins in career coming in 2008. Using back-up car after wreck in Thursday practice.

4 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 12/1 30th 29th 2nd 13th
Notes:Seven career plate wins; last coming in 2004. Using Talladega Chassis that finished 12th.

5 Greg Biffle 30/1 7th 2nd 3rd 17th
Notes:Won first Cup race ever at Daytona in 2003. Using chassis that led 27 laps in Daytona 500.

6 Juan Pablo Montoya 20/1 22nd 10th 10th 3rd
Notes:Two straight top-10 finishes at Daytona. Using 10th-place Chassis from Daytona 500.

7 Kurt Busch 15/1 9th 21st 14th 8th
Notes:Best Driver to have never won a plate race. Four straight top-five finishes in summer Daytona race.

8 Jeff Burton 15/1 8th 12th 11th 32nd
Notes:Won this race in 2000; will be using new chassis this week. Led most laps at Talladega in April.

Race Lineup will be set by drivers points due to qualifying rained out.

* Daytona 500 results from February and Talladega Results from April relevant because there are only four restrictor-plate races a season.

Note: This is the first race at Daytona using the new spoiler; it was used at Talladega.