The Cup series returns to Daytona for its annual 4th of July visit. It is the "restart" of the season as the series returns to several tracks it has already visited this year. Who will that benefit? Who can maintain the momentum from the first part of the Race for the Chase? Who needs a do over?
Jimmie Johnson: Johnson has been consistently running well. He regularly finishes in the top 10. Johnson has won both restricter plate races this year. Can he make it 3 for 3? Or has he used up his good luck for the season?
Matt Kenseth: Kenseth had a great car in the 500, but a run in with Stewart did him in for the race. Since that first race, Kenseth has won races, run up front, and had a couple problems - which have left him with top 25 finishes despite the problems. He looks as strong as he did the year he won the championship.
Kasey Kahne: Who would have guessed that by this point in the season, he would have won 4 races? He has finally hit his stride - kudos to Ray Evernham for sticking with him in the age of instant results. One thing Kahne does not have is a restrictor plate win.
Mark Martin: Martin has been quietly holding steady and progressing slowly up the point standings. Could his last year be the year he wins the championship? If Nascar is fixing the chase or races, this is one fix that would be popular with most fans (whether they consider themselves Martin fans or not).
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Is there any bigger favorite when the series returns to Daytona? It seems the other teams have caught up and crushed DEI's domination of restrictor plate races. Junior ran well in February, lurking around the front for most of the race. Where he has made most gains in this year is his finish at intermediate tracks - which is where there are points to pick up for the Chase.
Jeff Burton: The Pole sitter at the 500, he should have a good car. He is also under the radar as far as the chase goes. Right now, he sits ahead of both Stewart and Gordon in the points standings. This is the Jeff Burton who was a title contender for many years.
Tony Stewart: He has apparently lost his lucky rabbit's foot from last year. But he has had great finishes at the last several restrictor plate races. Can he repeat his performance from last year's 400 and climb the fence again?
Jeff Gordon: OK, he finally won a race. But can he do well two races in a row? Can he string together a series of great finishes? Gordon is great at Daytona. This streak of races could really put him back on track.
Greg Biffle: Biffle has had a down year - he would run well only to have a mechanical failure or accident sideline a great finish. He's worked his way back into the top 10. Can he keep it there?
Kevin Harvick: Harvick, like Burton, seems to have found the groove. However, he is on the verge of being eliminated from the top 10. He needs to find consistent finishes to keep his spot in the Chase.
Carl Edwards: Edwards is still on the outside looking in. While he had great season last year, this year has been up and down. Switching crew chiefs seemed to help at first, but it has not translated into spectacular finishes - yet.
Denny Hamlin: The current cream of the rookie crop has a win, a streak of top 15 finishes envied by veterans, and the pressure to make the Chase. He's won at Daytona in his Cup car. Can he get a second rookie year win?
Busch brothers: They're up, then they're down. They're breaking traffic laws, they're doing community service. The family that sticks together, may end up out of the Chase together. Either one could break through for a first restrictor plate win. Or is Kurt too busy planning his wedding a few weeks away?
Elliott Sadler: Sadler has the worst luck in restricter plate races, particularly at Talladega. However, he won his Duel in February, and with Yates power, could be a force to be reckoned with. Plus, he doesn't have the baggage Stewart, Gordon, Junior or Johnson have at restricter plates - so his dance partners should be plenty. And he needs another good finish.
Scott Riggs: I find it amazing that a driver who missed the first race of the year is 24th in points. Riggs has really worked hard to atone for that qualifying failure. It would be a great Cinderella story if he won this race.
Michael Waltrip: He's still languishing in the back of the pack having to qualify on speed. A former race winner, he may not make the show, as with owner points, he is not in 35th, although in driver points he is.
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