Fearless Predictions - Daytona

Those of you who followed the People's Pigskin during its quest for supremacy in fantasy football will remember the predictions that appeared every week of the NFL season with varying degrees of success. That tradition will continue as the People's Pitstop seeks dominance in fantasy NASCAR.

Each week, this blog will offer a prediction of which drivers will finish in the top 10 of each race. This week we have a forecast for the Daytona 500, whose starting grid was finalized with today's Gatorade Duels. Like the football predictions, these forecasts are for entertainment purposes only. Anyone foolish enough to bet on the basis of them would probably buy this.

1. Jeff Gordon. When it doubt, take a driver who has been there and done that. Gordon has three Daytona 500s under his belt.

2. Tony Stewart. He doesn't have any Daytona 500 wins, but he does have three victories on this track. Oh, and did I mention to two cup championships?

3. Joey Logano. The rookie stripe is off his car, and Logano seems primed to compete for a spot in the Chase this season.

4. Jeff Burton. He's won on this track, and his team needs to rebound from a disappointing 2009. This would be a great way to start.

5. Mark Martin. Your pole-sitter may not have a Daytona 500 win on his resume, but he's got 17 finishes in the top 10 on this track.

6. Jimmie Johnson. Hmmm. Why is Johnson on this list? Is it because of the TV show following him around, or is it because he's won FOUR CUPS IN A ROW? (Sorry, but if a baseball team were on a streak like that, its fans would be shouting from the mountaintops about it.)

7. Kyle Busch. He won't win any Miss Congeniality contests, but he's shown a willingness to put his car anywhere he feels will give him an advantage.

8. Brad Keselowski. Another one making more waves than friends.But he does have a win on a restrictor plate track.

9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. He has the Hendrick Motorsports team behind him. Eventually that has to start counting for something, right?

10. Kasey Kahne. He won his Gatorade Duel today. That victory will put him near the front of the pack to start the race. That improves his chances of avoiding the first big wreck of the day.

We'll be back tomorrow with some more racing-related thoughts. Until then, feel free to vote in this week's polls.