Picks for 500 in every corner
February 14th, 2009 by 
glm
It’s hard to say who will be the favorite for Sunday’s 51st running of the Daytona 500, but as is usual in the sports writing world, I’ll make an attempt. Here goes:
Jeff Gordon – Coming off 2008 where he failed to earn a victory, Gordon is motivated to find victory lane. He got there once already this week by winning his Gatorade Duel qualifying race, but wants to get there for real. His car has been plenty strong all week and Saturday, the team finished practice with 45 minutes to go in the session.
Tony Stewart – Wouldn’t the story of using a third car in a week make a great one for a 500 champion? It’d be the ultimate way to start a season as a car owner.
Kyle Busch – Also won his qualifying race this week, and won the last time out at Daytona during the Coke Zero 400 in July. He’s got to be a favorite — especially after failing to win two races in-a-row this week after running second at the white flag.
Jimmie Johnson – He’s been quiet all week and nobody seems to remember Johnson is a former 500 winner and the three-time defending series champion. Why, exactly, isn’t he a favorite?
Jamie McMurray – Consistently, McMurray has been the best of the Roush Fenway Racing group this week during practice and he’s coming off a second-place finish in the Budweiser Shootout. He’s a former winner at Daytona and 2009 is a do-it-or-lose-it year for his seat at the Ford operation.
