"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."

I won't be doing much today except for sitting in front of the TV and watching the Daytona 500. My girlfriend is absolutely thrilled!

Here is my Top 5 for today:

1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Carl Edwards
5. Bobby Labonte

Darkhorse pick:

Denny Hamlin

Want to see make the Top 40:

Kirk Shelmerdine

If you've watched NASCAR at all during the last 2-3 years, you might have noticed Shelmerdine limping around the track just trying to collect a paycheck. He would run about 10 laps and pull it into the pits. The highest finish he has had the last couple of years was 37th and that's because there was a wreck that knocked out five cars.

Why should we care? Quite frankly, NASCAR's system of qualification makes it tough for guys like Kirk to get a shot at qualifying. If you don't get enough starts, eventially you will run out of provisional chances. Since Kirk doesn't have a lot of chances to test, he doesn't move as fast as the other drivers. This makes him less likely to qualify!

I would like to see a small wreck at the beginning that knocks out a few drivers to give Kirk a chance at a Top 40 finish. There's no glory in finishing dead last!

Update:

Here is Brian Patton's post.

Kilo's
Republitarian

Update #2:

Lap 96: Kirk Shelmerdine is now 28th! Edwards is out...3 of my 5 picks are in the Top 10!

Update #3:

Lap 112: Tony Stewart talked about over-aggressive driving earlier this week. Today, so far, he has twice run into lead drivers. He should've been penalized a lap...he wasn't.

Update #4:

Lap 170: Jeff Gordon has made a STRONG comeback from his accident earlier today. Top 10 finish should be in the cards!

Update #5:

Jimmie Johnson wins the Daytona 500! Jeff Gordon faded after being involved in 2 accidents and no third gear and finished in 28th...Kirk Shelmerdine finished 20th!