NASCAR Update - Daytona 500 is Under a Month Away

NASCAR has the shortest break between seasons out of any of the major sports. That’s good news for NASCAR fans that can’t wait for the cars and drivers to hit the track again.

On February 14th is the 2010 Daytona 500. The biggest question going into this season is whether or not Jimmie Johnson will be able to repeat as the Sprint Cup Champion for a 5th straight time.

Of course, there are other questions going into the 2010 NASCAR Season. Let’s take a look at the most compelling.

Questions For the 2010 NASCAR Season

Can Jimmie and His Team Do It Again?

“It” would be once again winning the Sprint Cup Championship. The answer is an emphatic “yes”. Of course, Jimmie and his crew can do it again, but at the odds of +250 in the NASCAR betting world, maybe it’s a time to lie off of Jimmie. After all, “thunder striking the same place” four times in a row was tough to swallow, but five times in a row? Exactly! And shouldn’t all of the drivers really, really try to beat Jimmie this year? Expect some gang driving against Johnson once The Chase starts.

How Will Danica Patrick Effect NASCAR?

Besides more GoDaddy.com adds, expect Patrick’s effect on NASCAR to be minimal at best. First, she isn’t going to be driving in the Sprint Cup Series and will only take to the track in the Nationwide Series.

So, she gets to beat up by Kyle Busch every weekend. Will anybody care? Second, going from IRL to NASCAR isn’t easy. Just ask Juan Montoya. Finally, JR Motorsports, which is basically part of Hendrick Motorsports, is going to take their time to develop as a team what with Kelly Bires and Scott Young being the other two drivers on the team.

Danica’s impact could simply come from a marketing angle. She’s a good looking gal in those GoDaddy.com spots which brings me to another potential issue….don’t those GoDaddy.com spots seem just a bit too racy for NASCAR? GoDaddy.com might have to change their marketing if they wish to remain the sponsor of Danica’s NASCAR car. I just can’t see those ads continuing to be broadcast during a NASCAR sponsored event.

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Will Jeff Gordon Bounce Back?

Gordon hasn’t been the same since NASCAR changed the rules to a Sprint Cup points’ playoff system. The Chase has killed Gordon’s status as the best driver in NASCAR.

That coupled with his bad back could mean that Gordon’s days of dominating on the track might be over. Heck, it could mean that he will never bounce back and instead will have to settle for finishing in the Top 12 instead of actually winning a Sprint Cup Championship. At the odds of +800, Gordon is an underlay to win the Sprint Cup given his recent history.

Could Tony’s Second Year as an Owner/Driver Lead to a Sprint Cup?

Tony Stewart went into The Chase last year ranked #1 and ready to pull off an unfathomable Sprint Cup Championship victory in his first year as an owner/driver.

In his second year as an owner/driver, Stewart’s chances of winning the Spring Cup should be better. The best driver on his team (besides himself), Ryan Newman, should be better this season as well.