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So, Who’s Going To Win The 50th Daytona 500?by Mike Irwin ~ February 4th, 2008. Filed under: Mike's Musings. |
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Who’s going to win the 50th Daytona 500?
Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Jeff Gordon? Kirk Shelmerdine? |
The truth is… nobody knows.
But, you say, my driver did such-and-such at the Daytona testing.
It doesn’t matter. Testing is just that… testing.
Jeff Gordon DOES have the most wins at Daytona of all active drivers, with 6.
It still doesn’t matter. All of his wins were in the past.
Your driver might have a good chance if he starts in the top 15. 111 of 121 [91.7%] winners have, leaving only 8.3% who’ve one starting 16th or lower.
Or how about finishing success? Kenny Shrader has the most top 10 finishes of any actitve driver, with 22. Do you think Kenny’s going to win?
Your driver might have a good chance if he drives a Chevrolet, since they have won 37 Daytona 500 races. That’s as much because more teams use Chevrolets than anything else.
Based on the past, your driver might only need to lead 4 laps in order to win (Benny Parsons (1975), Kevin Harvick (2007)), or have to hold everone else off for 184 (Richard Petty, 1964).
Age is no particular limiting factor. Winners have ranged from 23 years old (Jeff Gordon, 1995) to just over 50 years old (Bobby Allison, 1988).
So, who’s going to win?
Honestly, I don’t know either, but I do know the fans are going to win when 2008 stock car racing kicks in again.
Let’s go racin’! I can’t wait.
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. Maybe someone will be right.
Stats are courtesy of Daytona Race Info/Rundown Page.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Well, I’m going to root for Dale Jarrett to get his last Cup victory at the Daytona 500. Improbable? Probably, but stranger things have happened.
February 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
It would be great to see JR. blew them away in his new ride.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Anyone but Cheaters Inc so that leave out Mears, Gordon,Johnson and the most ovverrated SPorts personality ever Dale Give me more beer Jr
February 5th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
It appears the whining know-it-alls will be out early this year (comment #3). Please people, if you really believe Nascar is all rigged and/or like all-star wrestling then just quit watching and leave the rest of us to continue being duped. Personally, I’d like to see Mark Martin win it. Being a Chevrolet enthusiast, I never was a Martin fan, but I can’t think of a more deserving driver. Class act all the way.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:46 am
I am A Jr. fan but I would like to see Dale Jarrett go out like a champ. Last year was so hard to watch him. He is and always has bee a good person.No matter who he drives for he always gives 100% to the owner and fans.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I would LOVE IT if Kyle Busch completely ripped up the joint. If he won, it would be so SWEET!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I think Clint Bowyer is going to win it. Last year he slid across the finish line upside down with his car on fire. I think the only way for him to top that finish would be to win the race.