On paper and as far as points go…it’s just another race. In reality it is billed as the Super Bowl of NASCAR. Many people mistake this for meaning that its NASCARs World Championship. In “Super Bowl” the meaning does not translate to a ring or a banner though. But like the NFL version it is the crown jewel / biggest spectacle in the sport. On paper it is just another race…but in golf or tennis terms – It’s a Major. Thing Augusta. Think Wimbeldon.

NASCAR kicks off it’s 61st season with the 51st running of the Daytona 500. It is one of four restrictor plate races in NASCAR….What is restrictor plate race and how does it differ from regular NASCAR races…our friends a Wiki help us out with that after the jump:

The device limits the power output of the motor, hence slowing both the acceleration and the overall top speed obtainable on the tracks where the cars are so equipped. An undesired effect, however, is that all drivers tend to form very large “packs” of cars that run closely (there may only be one second separating the entire field at times) together for the majority of the race (it is especially difficult to break the packs at Talladega). These large packs reduce air resistance which allows the cars to run faster and makes drafting easier. These restrictions are supposedly in the interest of driver and fan safety, although many members of both of these groups feel that the closeness of cars and their inability to achieve separation may actually make the racing at these tracks more dangerous, as there are often massive and frightening multi-car pileups during races. Such a crash is dubbed “The Big One” by drivers and fans. At Daytona and Talladega, most races are marred by at least one occurrence of such a crash as cars rarely become separated. Talladega is considered the more likely track for these instances to occur as the track is wide enough to have three to four distinct lines of racing, compounding the chances of a mistake by a driver, as well as the fact that handling is less of a factor there.

That is what makes Daytona so exciting…close racing – the looming possibility of “The Big One” at every turn. I hate to lean on wiki for writing articles but I wanted to accurately describe restrictor plates to you. But I couldnt resist relaying that “The Big One” even has a Wiki entry. Enough with Wiki – though lets get on to the race itself.

What: The Daytona 500
When: Sunday February 15th 2p FOX
Where: Daytona International Speedway…Daytona Beach, Florida

Who: 43 Drivers…Qualifying is Complicated

The Race: 200 Laps / 500 Miles

The Field:

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The Prediciton: (Note – Most predictors below Know Nothing about NASCAR)

Mikey: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Sparty: Jeff Gordon
Mizerle: Carl Edwards
Big D: Tony Stewart
Marco:
PatPhish: Dick Trickle (or Jimmy Johnson)
GITC:
GatorTrey: Jimmie Johnson (although I’d like to see Mark Martin pull it out)

What do you guys predict…We will have a comment / chat during the race so stop by Sunday for a few minutes

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