Editor’s Note: Ed Coombs’ pick was wrongfully omitted. It is shown below.
New for 2011 is the SpeedwayMedia.com Pick ‘Em game! Each week, our panel of writers will make their picks for Sprint Cup Series races, picking a driver they really think will win, a darkhorse driver and tell us why they picked the way they did.
Throughout the season, we’ll collect, tally and tabulate the points. They’ll get five points if their “Who I Really Think Will Win” pick wins, three points for a top-five finish, one point if the pick finished 6th through tenth, and no points if they finish outside of the top-ten. The same points apply for darkhorse picks, except points are doubled. So, if the driver the writer thinks will actually win does win and the writer’s darkhorse pick finishes second, they will earn 11 points.
Every Thursday, the Pick ‘Em column will be posted along with updated points standings.
RACE: Budwesier Shootout
DATE: February 12
Ed Coombs
Who I Really Think Will Win: Tony Stewart
Dark Horse Pick: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
I think that Stewart, whose record at Daytona is pretty good will be a major factor in this race. He typically drafts well with his good friend, Earnhardt which is why I have him as the dark horse. As sad as it is, Earnhardt is a dark horse just based on recent history. He runs well then has a mishap on pit road, on the track or in his head. However, he’s got a great new team that has served Jeff Gordon well for years.
Matt LaFlair
Who I Really Think Will Win: Kyle Busch
Dark Horse Pick: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Well its my first picks and I’d like to make it clear that I like to stir up NASCAR Fans whenever possible. Lets face it, Dale Jr is really a dark horse pick after the past two seasons of riding around in 30th. And as for Kyle, lets face it 85-percent of the NASCAR community hates Kyle Busch. I think that JGR has their restrictor plate package dialed in for 2011 and look for the 11, 18, and 20 to mix it up this year at Daytona and Talledaga. Let the games begin!!!
Roberta Cowan
Who I Really Think Will Win: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dark Horse Pick: Tony Stewart
I think you will see Dale Jr. and Steve Letarte come out with guns blazing. I think they will make a fast and definite statement that will carry over into the Daytona 500.
Kyle Brandt
Who I Really Think Will Win: Kevin Harvick
Dark Horse Pick: Tony Stewart
Kevin domianted the restrictor plate races in 2010 and has ECR engines, which are arguably the best engines in the Sprint Cup Series. Being the winner of the last two shootout isn’t too shabby either. Although Tony typically doesn’t fit into the dark horse category, restrict plate races have been feast or famine for him. Tony was fast in testing at Daytona last month and has three career shootout wins, with the last being in 2007.
Mark Odor
Who I Really Think Will Win: Kevin Harvick
Dark Horse Pick: Regan Smith
Ben Gunby
Who I Really Think Will Win: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dark Horse Pick: Juan Pablo Montoya
If there’s anywhere Junior can win, we know it’s Daytona. This new crew chief/driver combination desperately wants to get off to a good start and build some momentum, and winning the Shootout again would do just that. We know the Hendrick cars will be fast, and few can get to the front at a plate track with a good car like Junior can. The plate racing program at Ganassi is among the best in the sport at this point in time. We know Jamie McMurray will be strong, but don’t count out Montoya. The short, sprint style race fits his driving style perfectly, and Montoya really wants to got to victory lane at a track that doesn’t require right hand turns.
Ahsley McCubbin
Who I Really Think Will Win: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dark Horse Pick: Michael Waltrip
Known as one of the best restrictor plate racers, Earnhardt is always up from and in contention. With the need to start the year on a good foot with new crew chief Steve Letarte, a win will do all that justice and atleast quiet the critics for a little bit. Waltrip has been known as a good restrictor plate driver as well. He has won the Daytona 500 twice and with bringing back the NAPA Paint Scheme driven then, it may bring him the luck he needs to win the Great American Race again.
Barry Albert
Who I Really Think Will Win: Tony Stewart
Dark Horse Pick: Mark Martin
Kyle Ocker
Who I Really Think Will Win: Jeff Gordon
Dark Horse Pick: AJ Allmendinger
Jeffrey Boswell
Who I Really Think Will Win: Jeff Gordon
Dark Horse Pick: Sterling Marlin
Fittingly, the hard-luck Gordon will end his losing streak with a win that, in fact, won’t end his losing streak.
