FYI WIRZ: NASCAR's Top 10 Drivers Talk Big About the Daytona 500

NASCAR’s huge start, the Daytona 500, will commence Sunday, February 26 on the 2.5-mile tri-oval racetrack with 31 degree banking in Daytona Beach, Florida. Those not among the thousands in the stands can view the action on FOX at 1 p.m.

"The Great American Race" may be more brisk than in recent years because of NASCAR’s race car alterations during the offseason. Fans saw some of the effects during the Budweiser Shootout last week.

The Shootout was more crash-out than tandem tango and might be an indication of the nature of racing we can expect in the 2012 Daytona 500. NASCAR made functional changes in equipment and rules so that tandem pushing was minimal and pack racing was common.

Many drivers (even those who crashed) described the Shootout racing as fun.

Perhaps the Shootout and Duals will give them sufficient experience with new adjustments, so they know what not to do during the biggest race of the NASCAR season—the Daytona 500.

A crash-filled race is something teams won’t relish, but fear doesn’t seem to be on the minds of top NASCAR drivers. Apparently, what scares them most is not being able to be first to the checkered flag.

Comments from the top-10 drivers in 2011 reveal expectations about their first big race in 2012. 

1. Tony Stewart (No. 14 Chevrolet)

“It’s the biggest race of the year; everyone wants to win that race,” Stewart said. “I won’t say that it is not a complete career if you don’t win it, but there is a lot of priority on winning it. Darrell Waltrip and Dale (Earnhardt) Sr. both had to go a long time before they got it.”

2. Carl Edwards (No. 99 Ford)

“We were really close to getting the victory at last year’s Daytona 500,” Edwards said. “Finishing second last year made me realize that if we do things right, if we prepare correctly the whole week and race smart that we can be in a position to win that race. Starting on the front row with Greg (Biffle) is also pretty exciting so it should be a great race.”

3. Kevin Harvick (No 29 Chevrolet)

"We approach those races the same way that we approach just about every other race,” Harvick said. “We try to win them and if you get tore up doing it, then that's just the way it goes.

"The Daytona 500 is just a wide open race. There is a lot of anticipation, a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of hype and build up and, usually, you see something crazy happen at the beginning of these races. You want to make it through the first part of the race and try to keep yourself from getting torn up.”

4. Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Ford)

“The Daytona 500 is our biggest race of the year, so when you can win that race, it is one of the wins you always want to collect,” Kenseth said. “Of course you want to win every week, but if you had to pick one race, this would be one of them.”

5. Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Dodge)

“From what I saw at the test in January to where we are now in Speed Weeks,” Keselowski said. “I still believe that AJ and I can win the Daytona 500. Our cars are really fast in race trim.

“I’m still like a kid dreaming of hitting the game-winning shot except I dream of winning the Daytona 500. It would mean so much to me and my family to win our sport’s biggest race.”

6. Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Chevrolet)

“It’s such a special race and I feel very fortunate to have won that race,” Johnson said. “At that point, I didn’t have a championship, and it’s one of two races that you get a title with when you win this race – this one and the Brickyard. It can make a career and it was a huge thing for me when I won it in 2006.”

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Chevrolet)

“I feel like we will be competitive and should be able to be on the offense more than on the defense,” Earnhardt said. “That is what you want as a race car driver out there making passes."

8. Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Chevrolet)

“The Daytona 500 has always been a tough race to win but I can tell you that in the 20 years I’ve been in the sport, the thing is that you used to be able to be a little more predictable,” Gordon said. “The last 10 years, the reason why you’ve had multiple winners is because the rules have changed, the aerodynamics have changed. It’s going to be very unpredictable again. Anybody can win this race.”

9. Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Toyota)

“I don't feel like there's anything to prove this week in particular,” Hamlin said. “I think the Daytona 500 weekend, in general, has no relation to how guys typically run for the championship. For us, our season starts five or six races in. That's when we know where we stand as far as completion is concerned.

“Here, it's your fate—you decide some of it, but most of it you don't. Our biggest race of the year is the biggest crap shoot.”

10. Ryan Newman (No. 39 Chevrolet)

"Everybody wants to get off to a good start but, ultimately, you control only a part of it and racing luck controls the other part of it,” Newman said. “Daytona is a tough place. It always has been. I guess you never know what’s going to happen. That’s why we all enjoy NASCAR Sprint Cup racing and, hopefully, it’s a good start to the season for us this year.”

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained from official release materials provided by NASCAR and team representatives. Photo credit: Dwight Drum at Racetake.com.