Home Forums Sports Picks Central Trackside Picks Daytona 500 thoughts & predictions....

Post your picks to click......


Dale Jarrett and Jimmie Johnson will share the front row for the start of next Sunday's Daytona 500, the NASCAR Nextel Cup's season-opener.

Jeff Gordon, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate, was fastest in Saturday practice at Daytona International Speedway and was the heavy favorite in the garage area to take the pole. It looked like a good prediction when the two-time 500 winner took the top spot early in Sunday's qualifying with a lap of 188.155 mph.

But three-time 500 winner Jarrett, among the fastest drivers in preseason testing here, topped Gordon's Chevrolet with a lap of 188.312, grabbing his third Daytona 500 pole and first since 2000.

Johnson, the 53rd of 57 drivers to make qualifying attempts, pushed his teammate to third with a lap of 188.170.

"This is really a good race car," said Jarrett, who drives the No. 88 Ford Taurus for Robert Yates Racing. "These guys have been working on this car since October. It's been in the wind tunnel a lot and we had a good test here in January."

Jarrett, his voice rough from the lingering effects of the flu, said, "I'm still a bit under the weather. I'm trying to get rest at night, but I'm doing all right and things like this certainly make the healing process a lot better."

"I'm real proud of my guys," said Johnson, who won Saturday night's non-points Budweiser Shootout. "This is an awesome way to start Speed Weeks."

Kevin Harvick was a somewhat surprising third at 187.914 in a Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, followed by the Chevys of MB2/MBV Motorsports teammates Joe Nemechek and Scott Riggs at 187.837 and 187.758, respectively.

I think Michael Waltrip wins this one.

Elliot Sadler 2nd <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

GL

<small>[ February 18, 2005, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: Stewman21 ]</small>

Earnhardt & Waltrip will probably be tough if they work together. But, Stewart seems to be dominant right now. I'd have to give the edge to Stewart.

rgm, stewart certainly looked good yesterday! You may be right but little E & company seem to rule this one. GL

I like crash uhh I mean M. Waltrip today, (hope he doesn't crash lol) I'm aslo pulling for E. Sadler, he's way in the back but also 30-1 odds to win.

E. sadler is ready to have a break out year! He's my 'sleeper' to win it all...


Also think it may be Jrs. year, as long as he doesn't cuse on national tv LOL

Pole sitter is now playing possum on ESPN, saying it's a good car but not where I want it to be LOL Nascar driver are great.... What can brown do for you?


Enjoy the superbowl of racing!

Going with
5 Tony Stewart +801 2 units
6 Dale Jarrett +2302 1 unit
9 Greg Biffle +1599 1 unit
12 Kevin Harvick +4780 1 unit

odds on jr, M waltrip, J Gordon and JJ suck....... but I did get Jr and M waltrip @10/1 each a while back 2 units each

obviously the Hendricks team is the one to fear

actually broke even on nascar last season, I play mostly to have an interest during the races, I'm no expert, but I love to watch the races ......

Woddow where did you get Harvick at +4780 and Jarrett at +2302??

Those are some good odds.....

For those that like E-Jr you can get him at +350 at Superbook Godetn @ +550 which is the highest I have seen so far today. Will keep looking.

5 Dimes has Stewart at 11-1 Johnson +650 Sadler +2800

It pays to shop around, be sure to use the links up top !

bit late for this, but I use pinnacle, tradesports and beteuro mostly, do a lot of shopping

Nothing like watching Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel. Sure won't miss it..