NASCAR Coke Zero 400 Picks & Predictions
This Saturday night, NASCAR puts on its own fireworks show at Daytona International Speedway when they drop the green flag for the Coke Zero 400.
For years, this race was known as the Firecracker 400, but even with the name change it promises to be one of the most exciting night races of the year, next to racing under the lights at Bristol, of course.
Over the years, this race has produced some long-shot winners who gambled and won using a fuel mileage strategy and we wouldn't be surprised to see another long-shot come away with a victory with how popular this gamble has paid off lately.
Kurt Busch 15/1
Kurt Busch might be the best restrictor plate racer who has never won a plate race. Over the years he has overcome numerous problems, only to come up short at the finish line. In his last 12 races here, he has seven top-5s, with his only bad outings coming in the form of accidents. This team has made great strides this year and with some great finishes over the last few weeks, we think he might finally get his first win on a plate track.
Tony Stewart 10/1
Tony Stewart has always been considered the second best plate track driver behind Dale Earnhardt Jr., but we feel he is just as good (if not better) since he has been more consistent the last few years. In his last 10 races here, Stewart has three wins and six top-10s, plus won last year’s race in dramatic fashion. His consistency coupled with the down year Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been having, Stewart deserves being one of the favorites for this race.
Live Long Shot
Kasey Kahne 20/1
While Kasey Kahne has never shown much here, one thing he has done is he’s usually in the hunt when it comes to the hectic last few laps. In his last 10 starts here, Kahne has four top-10s and with the new Ford motor under the hood, that might be just what he needs to pull off the upset win.