Daytona 500 2015: Under-the-Radar Drivers Who Will Have an Impact
Unlike most other sports, NASCAR has its premier event at the beginning of the season. The Daytona 500 will mark the start for the Sprint Cup, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. looking to win for a second straight year.
Earnhardt might have won the event in 2014, but not all drivers up near the front of the pack will be superstars. For example, Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 in 2011, becoming the youngest driver to do so at 20 years and one day old. That was also his lone win in the series.
This time around, Bayne joins a group of competitors who will look to upset the top drivers in the sport. In a massive event like the Daytona 500, getting off to a strong start can also set the stage for a stellar season.
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Leading up to the Great American Race, let's take a look at the under-the-radar drivers hoping to make some noise.
Daytona 500 Information
Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
When: Sunday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: Motor Racing Network
Jamie McMurray, Chip Ganassi Racing
Throughout his career, Jamie McMurray has never finished better than 11th in points. However, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver is regularly in the running on the biggest stages. One of just three drivers to win the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in the same year, McMurray can drive at the illustrious venues.
Since switching over to Chip Ganassi, McMurray has been up and down in Daytona. But after helping anchor the team that won the Rolex 24 along with teammate Kyle Larson, McMurray is teeming with confidence at the Florida track.
Given his uncanny ability to shine when the lights are the brightest, Ganassi bestowed a new nickname upon McMurray.
"We saw Jamie last year win the All-Star Race," Ganassi said, via Tony DiZinno of NBC Sports. "That was pretty big. You’d have to call Jamie…a 'big-game hunter.' He wins all the big races."
There's simply no bigger race on the NASCAR stage than the Daytona 500. After all, it is coming less than a year after winning the Sprint All-Star Race in Charlotte before posting a top-five finish the following weekend.
Fans can expect a big run at the lead or at least a top five for the "Big-Game Hunter." If McMurray can find a way, he'll draft his way to another massive restrictor-plate victory.
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing
Coming into last season, all the talk surrounding Austin Dillon was about him bringing the historic No. 3 car back to the track. Prior to Dillon, Richard Childress kept the car in the garage after Dale Earnhardt's death in the 2001 Daytona 500.
Dillon captured the pole and a ninth-place finish to kick off his first full-time season in the Sprint Cup. When the circuit returned to Daytona, Dillon bettered that by finishing in the top five—his best result of his rookie season. Only two other drivers—Casey Mears and Denny Hamlin—had top 10s during both Daytona events.
Leading up to his second year, much of that pressure is now off Dillon. He referenced that relief during the NASCAR media tour earlier this year.
"I do feel way more at ease than I did last year going in to it," Dillon said. "You never know what to expect and that was such a big jump with the 3 and the announcement. From a year ago, I can tell you, my heart is beating a lot slower. I'm ready."
Dillon also made reference to feeling his team could make the Chase and potentially have a shot to win it. Another great showing at Daytona would start the sophomore season off with a great chance of making that possible.
Pulling off a shocking win at Daytona would virtually solidify a spot in the Chase. Going off his results from last year, it doesn't seem like such a huge stretch.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roush Fenway Racing
Let's be honest, the first two years at the Sprint Cup level haven't gone well for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Following two straight Xfinity Series championships, Stenhouse has just eight top-10 finishes with Roush Fenway Racing at the highest level.
Needless to say, a turnaround at Daytona would be crucial.
Stenhouse collected one of his top 10s last season in the Daytona 500 with a seventh-place finish. Both Stenhouse and girlfriend Danica Patrick have raced well at Daytona, but it's Stenhouse who has a better chance of making an impact.
The switch needs to be turned on for Stenhouse this season in order to add his name to competitive drivers in NASCAR. In a loaded field with superstars all over the track, look for Stenhouse to put together a formidable effort and remain in the hunt.
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