Budweiser Duel 2013: Big Name Drivers Who Need a Strong Showing at Prelude

With the biggest race of the season only a few days away, some of the sport's biggest names need a strong showing at the Budweiser Duel.

Danica Patrick has already come out of the woodwork after winning the pole for this year's Daytona 500, but after her dismal first year in NASCAR, it's tough to see how she'll finish in this year's race.

With that being said, here are four drivers who need to fare well at the Budweiser Duel.

Jimmie Johnson

Since 2007, Jimmie Johnson has never finished better than 27th in the Daytona 500.

Last year, a crash had him out of the race before it was even halfway finished as he settled for 42nd place.

Not very good.

After a six-year run filled with heartbreak and frustration in the biggest race in the NASCAR season, Johnson needs to get back into the swing of things with a solid performance in the Budweiser Duel.

Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart's style of driving mirrors his unique personality: aggressive and misunderstood.

He's been a successful driver during his career compiling 57 wins since his rookie year of 1999.

However, not one of those has come at the Daytona 500.

Just like the rest of the pack, Stewart will be looking for a solid finish at the Duel to have even more momentum going into Sunday.

He may be getting older, but Stewart is still relentless, something that might make a considerable difference once the Daytona 500 rolls around.

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch struggled last year, and a strong showing at the Budweiser Duel will give him the confidence he needs to lead the charge at the Daytona 500.

The Las Vegas-native finished 13th in the Cup standings last year.

After such a disappointing season where he only won a single race, Busch wants to get rid of the horrible taste in his mouth left behind by 2012's disappointments.

He will be in Duel No. 2 with teammate Matt Kenseth, and getting a good position for the Daytona 500 could make all the difference in the world for Busch, who wants to put last season as far away from his mind as he possibly can.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Since 2006, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had very inconsistent results at the Daytona 500.

Junior has alternated top-10 finishes with bottom half finishes since finishing in eighth-place in 2006, and he'll have to be weary this year after his second-place finish in 2012.

Whether or not you believe in trends, the fact of the matter is that Earnhardt hasn't placed higher than 24th the year after finishing in the top-10 since 2006.

After taking the pole in 2011, he finished 24th after an accident took him out. He finished in second place the very next year.

A good showing in the Budweiser Duel may or may not even affect him very much if this trend continues, but it definitely wouldn't hurt if he fared well.