Daytona 500 Forecast and Picks (David Reutimann Wins)

I have been reviewing and researching this crapshoot that's going to take place later today and I am rolling the dice for David Reutimann to win this race today.  Not only for the value, but because of how he has performed on Superspeedways.  In 2010 he scored the third most points (576) of any driver on Superspeedways and the fifth most points (285) of any driver at Daytona.  His average starting position was 22.5 and average finish was 8.5 at Superspeedways. What also impressed me was that Reutimann led 18 percent (19/104) of his total laps led at superspeedways in 2010, and I think he will lead the most important one tomorrow.  Later today he will start from the 24th position.  A position he has became accustomed to at Daytona starting towards the back, and will patiently worked his way to the front (pending avoiding the big one).  I think that the newly paved track favors his driving style substantially, and even as a team, they have shown much better results with improved equipment and working well in the draft. During one of the earlier testing sessions, Reutimann and Truex were able to pass at will and impressed many in the garage as they were the only drivers to top the 195 mph mark at the time, and ended up leading the tandem testing session, something that will be very important later today.

Reutimann, is also from Zephyrhills, Fla. a Florida native, and considers this his home track, so there will be an added motivation factor.  He will do anything and everything to be in position to win this race at the end, and I fully believe that between his recent success at Superspeedways, driving style on the new paved track,  and improved equipment that he will be the surprise everyone is talking about on Monday morning.  He is a patient driver, and he showed that during his win after coasting patiently 600 miles in the Coca Cola 600 to a win in 2009, and 5th in the same race in 2010.   When a race requires patience, and putting yourself into a position to win, it seems like he is always around at the end.  Unfortunately, he has caught some bad breaks along the way waiting for all the pieces to all into place, but tomorrow, I expect him to miss the big one and win the 2011 Daytona 500.  

Reutimann last year at Daytona and Talladega

Daytona
Coke Zero 400 started 9th, finished 11th
Dayton 500 started 20th, finished 5th

Talladega
AMP Energy Juice 500 Started 21st, finished 4th and led 14 Laps
Aarons 499 Started 30th, finished 14th and led 5 Laps


With that being said, this is my Forecast for the Dayton 500.

Daytona 500 Winner
David Reutimann +5000 (Large)
Joey Logano +3000 (Small)
Kyle Busch +1000 (Small)

Dayton 500 Race Match-ups
Jeff Burton -130 vs. Joey Logano +110 (Large)
Kasey Kahne -130 vs. David Reutimann +110 (Large)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. -133 vs Jeff Gordon -105 (Large)
Jamie McMurray -125 vs. Jimmie Johnson +105 (Small)
Juan Montoya -130 vs. Mark Martin +110 (Small)

Daytona 500 Driver Propositions - Over/Under Finish
Finish by: Kyle Busch under 10.5 -110
Finish by: Jimmie Johnson under 14.5 -110
Finish by: Kevin Harvick over 7.5 -110

Top 5 Prediction
1. David Reutimann
2. Joey Logano
3. Kyle Busch
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Jimmy Johnson

Best of luck to everyone on all your plays, and enjoy the race.

FF

Bol Floyd

Good to see you in the forum.

Like Reuti for the big hitter.... great odds on a guy who has proven himself on the super speedways... Hard to pass up Boywer on my side, the guy has been solid every race and with this being a crapshoot I like him to pull off the 4th turn pass and finally get a W here.

GL Floyd. You make a great case for him. I'm actually surprised at the success he's had at the superspeedways. He's done it quietly. I agree, this is gonna take patience, and that's his strong suit. I'm not sure he'd be aggressive enough at the end to win this, though. I think you're gonna have to be a pitbull at the end of this race. Certainly good value. I think Logano's going to have a great season. Best of luck today!!  

Like Reutimann myself. when you consider either Waltrip or Truex should be around with him at the end. MWR could have a great day.

Good Luck like Logano to finish well today as well

good luck man

I HOPE you are right about my boy Logano.  I am nervous as this track and Hotlanta has been his kryptonite!!!  Like Bowyer and may need to look into Reuti.  I like Menard in an RCR car and dinger for long shots.  Dinger had the best car here last year so I am hoping it translates

good to see you in the nascar forum