SM Staff

As NASCAR readies to kick off the 2013 season with the Great American Race at Daytona, one common man, Ken Squier, will be ready to once again have an uncommon influence on the sport.

Since Kyle Busch Motorsports debuted on track in 2010, KBM has been winning races. However, they have yet to go after a driver championship. That will all change in 2013 as Kyle Busch has hired three young stars to bring home the trophy for KBM.

As the 2013 season gets underway this weekend at Daytona for the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series, it’s time once again to analyze the statistics and see just who you should be watching this weekend at the “World Center of Racing”.

Every year, when February rolls around, one thought crosses your mind. Daytona. Your reaction? Ecstatic. Daytona in February means that the NASCAR season is about to get rolling and that NASCAR will be entering the hallowed grounds of the Daytona International Speedway.

Considering the dramatic finishes to races so far during the UNOH Battle of the Beach series, everybody expected the fireworks to continue when the K&N Pro Series featured a green-white-checkered after Cale Conley spun virtue of contact from D.J. Kennington.

Same verse, different series. On Monday night, it was Kyle Larson giving the bump to CJ Falk for the win in the UNOH Battle of the Beach NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model race. On Tuesday night, Steve Park got into Mike Stefanik off of turn two to take the victory.

Canadian Cameron Hayley took the win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series 150 at Daytona International Speedway as part of the UNOH Battle of the Beach after beating Ryan Goulding barely to the line in a dramatic finish.

To go with the new season, Joe Nemechek announced a new deal with H2M Beverages. The partnership brings forth two new flavors of Herbal Mist Iced Tea - A Special Edition Unsweetened Tea and a Sweet Tea version aimed at the southern consumer.

The UNOH Battle of the Beach K&N Pro Series edition would begin on Tuesday with the heats, seeing K&N West Series regulars Greg Pursley and Derek Thorn collect the victories. Pursley would win the coin toss to therefore start his heat on the inside, while Thorn's heat group will start on the outside.

One has to believe that Rick Hendrick is extremely optimistic regarding the 2013 racing season. Hendrick Motorsports, (HMS), will once again be fielding a four car operation with all four teams already regarded as championship contenders. One team is seeking a "six pack" title, another team is seeking to close the deal on "the drive for five" while two teams are seeking their first ever championship.