Daytona 500 Predictions: Carl Edwards Will Begin 2012 with Memorable Victory

Tony Stewart edged Carl Edwards on a tiebreaker to win the NASCAR Championship last season. We will either see Edwards battle back to win it this season or a have humongous drop-off.

Edwards proved by winning pole for the 2012 Daytona 500 that he’s ready to bounce back and contend for another championship. Edwards will begin the campaign by winning the biggest event of the year.

He recorded a lap time of 194.738 mph, which was the fastest lap time since Jeff Gordon’s 195.067 mph in 1999. Edwards is extremely focused to seal the deal this season and his start thus far has been more than stellar.

With Edwards in the pole position, his chances of winning the Daytona 500 are high given his position. If Edwards can creep around the top five or 10, he will have a great opportunity to walk away with the crown.

I think he’ll stay in the top five for 95 percent of the race before edging out his competitors in the final lap to win the Daytona 500.

Edwards is coming off a 2011 campaign where he recorded a career-high (tied) 19 top-five finishes and 26 top-10 finishes, one behind his mark in 2008. He is also coming off a year where he averaged 9.4 in starting position, which was easily the best of his eight-year career.

It’s no secret that Edwards had one of the best seasons of his career with that good of positioning for every race. It looks like Edwards is on that same pace again this year and he’ll open more eyes after his victory.

Keep an eye on Edwards in 2012.