Coke Zero Predictions
This Saturday night, NASCAR puts on it’s 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 nighttime races we will see this year next to racing under the lights at Bristol.
Over the years, this race has produced some long shot winners who gambled and won using fuel mileage strategy and we wouldn’t be surprised to see another long shot win 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 race. Over the years he has overcome numerous problems, only to come up short at the finish line. In his last nine races here, he has five top-5s, with his only bad finishes coming in accidents that he got caught up in. This team has made great strides this year and with some great finishes the last few weeks, we think he might finally get his first win on a plate track.
Tony Stewart 7/1
Tony Stewart has always been considered the second best plate track drivers behind Dale Earnhardt Jr., but we feel he is just as good (if not better) since he’s been more consistent the last few years. In his last nine races here, Stewart has two wins and six top-10s for an average finish of 14.0, which leads all drivers with nine starts. His consistency coupled with the down year Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been having, Stewart deserves being co favorite for this race.
Live Long Shots
Kevin Harvick 20/1
Kevin Harvick and his teammates at Richard Childress Racing have been the biggest disappointment so far this year in NASCAR, but this is a track that could bring this team out of the funk they have been in all year. Harvick started off the year with lots of promise, taking second at the Daytona 500, but since then it has been all down hill him and his team.
Kasey Kahne 35/1
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 nine starts here, Kahne has four top-10s and with the Dodge motor under the hood, that might be just what he needs to pull off the upset win.
2009 NASCAR Coke Zero 400 Race Information
Race Date: Saturday, July 4
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Pre-Race: 7:30PM ET
Green Flag: Approx. 8:00PM ET
TV Coverage: TNT & TNT HD
Radio Coverage: MRN
Track Type: Tri-oval
Capacity: 167,785
Posted: 7/2/09 12:15PM ET
