| 1 |
1 |
 |
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
They used to call it "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." In Junior's case, it would be "Win on Sunday, sell on Sunday." |
| 2 |
2 |
 |
Tony Stewart |
Did anyone else notice how remarkably relaxed he looked after his engine quit during qualifying? |
| 3 |
3 |
 |
Sterling Marlin |
OK, so he nearly broke his neck last year -- well, he kinda did break his neck -- but you wouldn't know it by watching his performance in Speedweeks so far. |
| 4 |
4 |
 |
Kevin Harvick |
Already working on that Comeback Driver of the Year trophy. |
| 5 |
5 |
 |
Bobby Labonte |
So is he. |
| 6 |
6 |
 |
Michael Waltrip |
Easily Junior's biggest threat in the 500. News at 11. |
| 7 |
7 |
 |
Jeff Gordon |
Qualifying disappointment was probably biggest surprise of session. |
| 8 |
8 |
 |
Jimmie Johnson |
Has not enjoyed a great Speedweeks, but showed in 2002 that he didn't have to qualify well to race well. |
| 9 |
9 |
 |
Jeff Green |
The Mike Beam impact has been immediate. Could be a surprise points leader after Rockingham. |
| 10 |
10 |
 |
Ricky Rudd |
The Wood Brothers have the fastest Ford at Daytona for the first time in well, a long time. |
| 11 |
11 |
 |
Mark Martin |
Has never won the Daytona 500 but should be a lonely Ford in the top 10 on Sunday. |
| 12 |
12 |
 |
Ryan Newman |
Penske Racing is one of the biggest surprises of Speedweeks so far -- but not in a good way. |
| 13 |
13 |
 |
Dale Jarrett |
Was a non-factor in the Budweiser Shootout, but rallied with a good run on Monday. Experience makes him tough on Sunday. |
| 14 |
14 |
 |
Jamie McMurray |
Has not done anything to show that 2002 was a fluke -- yet. |
| 15 |
15 |
 |
Matt Kenseth |
Qualifed smack in the middle of the field on Monday. It'll be interesting to see how his pit crew debuts during the 500. |
| 16 |
16 |
 |
Bill Elliott |
See Jarrett. |
| 17 |
17 |
 |
Elliott Sadler |
As big a question mark as any driver in the Winston Cup Series. Will he sink or swim? |
| 18 |
18 |
 |
Ward Burton |
Seems to have been written off by some as a long shot to defend his title, but finding consistency is more important. |
| 19 |
19 |
 |
Joe Nemechek |
Front Row Joe never showed, but still outran all three teammates. New partnership with crew chief Peter Sospenzo still in the honeymoon stage. |
| 20 |
20 |
 |
Kurt Busch |
Has been much better at Talladega during brief career than Daytona. |
| 21 |
21 |
 |
Ricky Craven |
Has been merely decent but good enough to pace Pontiac's revamped program. |
| 22 |
22 |
 |
Robby Gordon |
500 miles is a long time at Daytona. Kurt Busch earned a lot of respect when he finished third at Talladega in 2001 -- Gordon can do the same thing on Sunday. |
| 23 |
23 |
 |
Rusty Wallace |
Free beer? Not without some serious improvement. |
| 24 |
24 |
 |
Jeremy Mayfield |
A top-10 finish will be a huge shot in the arm for this team after their forgettable 2002 campaign. |
| 25 |
25 |
 |
Kyle Petty |
How quick was Jeff Green's pole-winning speed? Petty was 10th-quickest, yet 2 mph off the pace. Still, it's a good start. |
