It may be smarter (and more accurate) to blindfold myself, spin in a circle five times and throw a dart at a board covered in drivers’ numbers to pick a winner for this race. Unfortunately, I don’t have a dartboard and have no desire to purchase spackle, so we’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way.

This year’s Daytona 500 favorites include the usual suspects of Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

While each of the previously mentioned drivers are certainly capable of taking the checkered flag, I’m going to dig a little deeper and take the older Busch brother. Penske Racing has been fast at restrictor plate races in the COT, highlighted by their 1-2 finish (Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch, respectively) at the 2008 Daytona 500.

Now add Steve Addington, who is taking over the reigns of the #2 car, to the mix and Busch should certainly be considered a favorite at this year’s Great American Race. Addington was Kyle Busch’s Crew Chief at Joe Gibbs Racing for the previous two seasons and the two teamed up to dominate plate racing over that span, recording one win each at Talladega and Daytona. Penske can build fast plate cars, Addington can setup fast plate cars and Ku. Busch is fast in plate cars. Check and mate.

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