Wreckers or Checkers

How Will the Daytona 500 Play Out?

By Richard Tix

With the Duels set to be raced tonight (2/20) and the Daytona 500 just on the horizon it is safe to say many fans and even drivers are wondering what the 500 will bring. NASCAR started its season with the Sprint Unlimited last Saturday and it brought some mixed results. The race was exciting and we got to see what the cars could do, but underneath it all it got me worrying. See, crashes are exciting, but NASCAR got down to about 8 cars in the Unlimited (though it was exciting, hear me out).

Now, I just figured that it was the first race with the new car package, so drivers were just trying to figure it out and with that mind set comes bumps in the road. Learning curves. Well then Wednesday's Practice session came along and it started to get me thinking.

Crashes left and right. Cars having to go to there back ups and even drivers who might be left out (Dave Blaney). Or how about Swan Racing? Cole Whitt originally went to his back up after he had a tire problem and hit the wall. Then Parker Kligerman ended up on his roof in a different practice crash. Parker is now in Cole Whitt's original car which they have to fix up for him to run. A lot of crazy twists and turns and its just practice!

What worries me, will any cars be left for the Daytona 500? We still have two Budweiser Duels tonight. Will teams just pull out of the race? Yes, drivers want the experience and to learn how these cars handle on a superspeedway but is it worth missing the chance at running in the 500?

What also worries me. Will the actual Daytona 500 be so wrecked and caution filled that it wont be enjoyable? The Sprint Unlimited was only 18 cars (really only 17 because Terry Labonte Started and Parked). So what is going to happen with 43 cars out there? Can they make it 25 laps without wrecking?

One thing we know, these cars have a fast closing speed. We have seen it time and time again so far. Will drivers get a grasp on this in time for the 500? Cars also seem to get a bit loose as soon as they get out of line by themselves (Just see Jimmie Johnson in the Unlimited).

I for one am hoping that cars can stay clean for good portions of the Daytona. Sure Wrecks will happen, but I just hope they make it towards the last 25% of the race before they start getting over aggressive. We have noticed as fans that these cars can make up huge ground in a short time, so for the sake of a good race, drivers don't be aggressive on lap one!



More articles for you to catch up on:

• Preseason Power Rankings
• Preseason Driver Spotlights
• Daytona Speedweeks Schedule
• NASCAR Behind the Wall Article Archive
• The Intimidator
• 2014 Chase Predictions
• Predicting a Champion

As always let me know what you think on Twitter! Will the drivers learn anything in Duel's? Will it be another wreck fest? Will drivers learn enough tonight to get through the Daytona 500? Will drivers pull out of the races tonight if they're locked in? Need even more? Check out This Sportz! Good guys and a lot of extra articles for Daytona including Fantasy and History.