The Daytona 500 - A Glorious Beginning

Here are our staff predictions for the Daytona 500 winner.

I think that Tony Stewart has gotten past the shock of not being in the Chase last season and is going to be loose and relaxed for the '07 season. As far as he and the team are concerned, the worst that can happen is behind them. Not making the Chase really put things in perspective. Chevys run very well at Daytona, and I think that Tony is part of the elite few who have really mastered restrictor plate racing. When you break it down, my job is really to observe, and I like what I see in the No. 20 team. The team members seem to be working well together. I would look for Stewart to contend for the 2007 championship as well.

-Sam Sharpe

Tony Stewart is a proven winner at Daytona, winning the Pepsi 400 in 2005 and 2006. He came in Fourth in the 500 last year in spite of, among other things, being penalized twice. Asked early last year if he thought race car drivers were athletes, Tony replied, "Does this look like the body of an athlete?" Since then, however, he's been working with a personal trainer and losing weight. That, to me, indicates a new sense of discipline and dedication.

-June Boone

For me, there's one good way to pick the winner of the Daytona 500, and that's by a process of elimination. Contenders that immediately come to mind are Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and of course, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Johnson won last year, but it's tough to repeat. Hamlin is coming off his rookie season and has to beat the sophomore jinx. Gordon has had his day in the sun at Daytona and one has to wonder if that is it. But Stewart, winner of the 2005 Firecracker 400-yeah, I still call it that-is at the very top of his game and my pick.

-Norm Froscher

Tony Stewart may have completed one of his goals in 2005 when he won the Brickyard 400, but there is still a void there-the Daytona 500. After having four straight Top 10 finishes and winning two of the last three races at Daytona, both in the Pepsi 400, Stewart is overdue for a Daytona 500 win.

-Don Hamilton .

Tony Stewart will get the one big prize that has eluded him so far during his career. The Daytona 500 trophy he'll add to his collection this year will go nicely with his two Cup titles and the Brickyard 400 trophy, among others. It'll be a nice addition to what has been a stellar career.

-Jesse Miles Jr.

Kevin Harvick may not be the most popular choice for 2007 Daytona 500 winner, but there is good reason to believe he'll start next season strong. After a few years seemingly stuck in the doldrums, Richard Childress Racing was resurgent last season at midsize tracks, with wins by both Harvick and teammate Jeff Burton. Harvick won five events and his average finish was 12.2. I believe the team bolstered its restrictor-plate program during the offseason and the California native will reward those efforts by taking the checkered flags.

-Jeff Huneycutt

Kevin Harvick is at the point in his career where he is driving very well and is in the form that it takes to win races. That said, I would be remiss to disallow the 15 or so other teams that are of the same caliber and have the same drive and hunger for a Daytona 500 trophy. But the important part of this game is that Harvick is hungry and it is his time to make a run to the front.

-John Hill