Daytona: Six-Pack of Hot Contenders Who Could Win Coke Zero 400

Picking a winner at a superspeedway race is much like shooting fish in a barrel, but despite the fact most any driver in the field is a candidate to win, several drivers clearly look to have an advantage for Saturday's race.

Though the former Pepsi Firecracker 400 is now called the Coke Zero 400, it will still be hotter than a firecracker on the track with the Florida heat and humidity testing water temperatures and pressures in the cars.

Handling will be a key factor with the lower rear spoilers on the cars resulting in less downforce. The grip level will still be high, but how the cars will react in the pack racing is a bit unknown.

Night races are some of the best races we see during the season. The patriotic symbolism will be everywhere from the cars to those in the military who will be honored.

Chaos can break out at any given moment and the driver who takes the checkered flag may not have been a contender during the race.

So here we go with the hot picks for the Coke Zero 400. We shall see how these drivers performed when the checkered flag waves.

Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart, driver of the Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet, is ninth in the point standings with two wins this season and seven top-five finishes.

Stewart has won the July race three times with the last time coming in 2009. He has finished second or third in three of the last four races this season.

The three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion is good at Daytona, having won races in many different series on the high banks. Look for him to be in the lead pack barring any mishaps.

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, is currently third in the point standings, 23 markers out of the lead.

Out of the last seven races he has two wins, four finishes of sixth or better and an 11th-place finish, proving he his primed to run for the Cup title once again.

At Daytona, Johnson has one win, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes with two poles.

With two wins in his pocket, you have to wonder if his team will be dominant or perhaps do some testing in preparation for the Talladega Chase race.

Clint Bowyer

Clint Bowyer, driver of the 5-hour Energy No. 15 Toyota, is currently ranked seventh in the standings. He has one win and nine top-10 finishes this season.

Bowyer will have his teammate Martin Truex Jr. and his boss, Michael Waltrip, should a little pairing be needed. He will also be driving the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 in the Jalapeno 250 for added track time.

Of the six career wins for this driver, two have come on superspeedways. At Daytona, this driver has two top-five and six top-10 finishes.

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M's Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, has had three issues with engines that have relegated him to poor finishes, but he clings to 12th place in the standings.

Busch does have one win and eight top-10 finishes this season, but he knows he has to win another race or two and get top-five finishes to guarantee a Chase spot and not worry about the wild-card slots.

Busch has two superspeedway wins, one of which is at Daytona. He has also run a series-high 72 fastest laps on the high-banked track.

This driver may not be the one that comes to mind for superspeedway victories, but if he has a strong car, Busch should be a threat for the win.

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet, is sixth in the point standings, 68 markers out of the lead.

This RCR driver remains winless this season, but he does have three top-five and eight top-10 finishes. He likely will make the Chase as long as he doesn't become the victim of bad finishes.

Harvick needs to win and he is good on superspeedways with four wins, 15 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes. Two of those wins have come at Daytona.

Harvick was known as the "closer," but he hasn't been able to seal the deal this season. Perhaps he will find victory in the Coke Zero 400.

Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Zest Ford, sounds like an easy pick since he leads the points and is starting on the pole. He also won the Daytona 500 this year.

Only four drivers have swept both Daytona races. The last time was a couple decades back, but Kenseth wants to make a statement to not only Roush Fenway Racing, but to his new team owner as well.

Kenseth only has two superspeedway wins, but 14 top-five finishes. He has one win, eight top-five and 12 top-10 finishes this season. He and his team want to show that being a lame-duck driver is not a factor.

Ford power will be strong on the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Of all the Ford drivers, Kenseth and Greg Biffle are probably the best bets to go to the front.

Starting on the pole may not be an advantage, but look for this driver to lead laps and just maybe he will be the fifth driver to sweep Daytona.