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Daytona International Speedway
| Location | Daytona Beach, FL | |
| 2010 Events | 2/14/10 | 07/03/10 |
| 2009 Winners | Matt Kenseth | Tony Stewart |
Outlook:
Unlike most sports, NASCAR kicks off its season with the biggest event of the year. Every driver has the Daytona 500 circled on their calendar, and every driver wants to win the "Great American Race". There is no other venue in NASCAR that is more significant and can do more to cement a driver's place in the sport. No track has more aura and mystique than Daytona.
From working the draft to dodging the "Big One", winning any race at Daytona takes a little luck and a lot of skill. Three-wide racing goes right down to the last lap, and almost every position on the track is still up for grabs until the checkered flag waves. Multi-car wrecks can break out at anytime and in any corner of the track, and not even the leader is safe.
Kyle Busch learned that lesson all too well last season. He was dominating the Daytona 500 when he was collected in the aftermath of shoving match between the lap-down cars of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brian Vickers. With Busch out of the race and rain moving in, Eliott Sadler took the lead, but Matt Kenseth was able to get around him one lap before rain brought out a caution. The race was never restarted, and Kenseth picked up the win.
In July, Busch was again wrecked while leading the race, but this time, it happened on the last lap. Busch and teammate Denny Hamlin had worked together to pass the dominant car of Tony Stewart as the white flag waved. Stewart fought back and was able to loosen up Busch<92>s No. 18 machine exiting the final corner. After Busch blocked Stewart's attempt to pass on the low side, Stewart jumped to the outside. When Busch tried to throw another block, Stewart turned him into the outside wall. Stewart won the race, and Busch settled for 14th.
Stewart's victory was his third since 2000, making him one of the top fantasy options. Kurt Busch has collected a series best nine top fives during that span and is another excellent option. Clint Bowyer and David Ragan have been very consistent at the track, owning the two best finishing averages at Daytona among active drivers.