Daytona 500 2012: Defending Champ Trevor Bayne Will Be a Non-Factor

Trevor Bayne shocked the racing world by winning last year's Daytona 500, but you shouldn't expect a repeat performance in 2012.

The inexperienced Bayne came out of nowhere last year, becoming the youngest driver to win the Great American Race. However, his victory on NASCAR's biggest stage didn't translate to more success throughout the season.

He's only led 11 laps in 18 career Sprint Cup starts, and all but three of those came in his unexpected Daytona victory. Since his magical night at Daytona last year, Bayne has failed to finish better than 15th in the Sprint Cup Series.

In the Nationwide Series, Bayne hasn't fared much better. He has just one win in 80 career races, and he ended 2011 with an average finish of 14th.

Although he won the most famed NASCAR event last season, sponsorships weren't exactly eager to commit to Bayne. This year, he's only scheduled for 13 cup races with the Wood Brothers, and just three Nationwide events with Rousch-Fenway Racing.

At today's Daytona 500, he is starting 40th, an unenviable position for any driver, let alone one as inexperienced as Bayne. Matt Kenseth is the only driver to win the race when starting 39th or worse, and Bayne is no Matt Kenseth.

Bayne was a great story last year, and he does have a future in NASCAR. Unfortunately, he will be a non-factor in today's Daytona 500.

You can expect him to get dominated by the more savvy and experienced drivers. I'd be stunned if he finishes in the top 20.