With the Daytona 500 still 3 weeks away, some say it would be crazy to try and pick a winner for that race alone. Let alone pick 10 contenders and 2 wild cards for the 10 race playoff stretch…but that’s what I’m about to do. Let’s face it, picks are fun! …Even if you do end up being wrong.
Since I have briefly talked about picking a Daytona 500 winner I shall do just that before unveiling my top 10 contenders and 2 wild card picks for championship contenders.
INITIAL PICK FOR THE WIN: DAYTONA 500
1.
4.
#99 Carl Edwards Edwards had momentum, winning the last 2 races of the season last year. If he can carry that momentum into the 2011 season, he will be a threat for the title.
5
#17 Matt Kenseth AKA “The Invisible Man” according to some. Kenseth is always around. Hopefully he’ll make some noise this year.
6
#18 Kyle Busch Kurt’s younger brother, on the contrary of Kenseth, you can always tell when this guy is around! If he can keep things together, he just might make a title run!
7
#1 Jamie MacMurray Last year he learned how to win multiple races in the same season. Championship this year? Maybe.
8
#33 Clint Bowyer If Clint can avoid unnecessary penalties he should be fine to make the chase
9
#16 Greg Biffle Winning last year must have given him the confidence he needs to be a contender. He’ll be around.
10
#24 Jeff Gordon He can do it, we know he can. He’s done it 4 times before. He came close to winning how many races last year? He didn’t win any but he was very close many times, a lot of second place finishes. If this consistency continues…maybe throw in a few wins, Gordon will also be a contender.
WILD CARD #1
#14 Tony Stewart If he can avoid more trouble in Australia, (and even if he can’t) Stewart should have the mental toughness to be a championship contender.
WILD CARD #2
#4 Kasey Kahne His first year away from King Richard’s outfit (now in a one year deal with Red Bull…before going to Hendrick next year) Kahne could surprise people and make the chase with some new found confidence.
NO bias, it's the truth