Feb. 13, 2010

2010 Daytona 500 driver profiles

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the HTML version of a rich-media feature. Find the original Flash feature here .

1. Mark Martin: #/MAKE: #5 Chevrolet | TEAM: Hendrick Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Alan Gustafson

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 49 | Poles: 1 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 9 | Top 10: 17 | DNF: 15 | Avg. Start: 15.5 | Avg. Finish: 18.1 | Laps Led: 240

His storybook 2009 didn't have the happy ending of a Sprint Cup championship but Martin is poised for another stellar season now that he has signed on with Hendrick for the next two. Starting from the pole in the year's biggest race gives Martin one of his best chances to win "The Great American Race" of his career.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: #/MAKE: #88 Chevrolet | TEAM: Hendrick Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Lance McGrew

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 20 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 2 | Top 5: 6 | Top 10: 11 | DNF: 3 | Avg. Start: 11.5 | Avg. Finish: 15.5 | Laps Led: 382

Junior begins the most critical year of his Cup career since his rookie season of 2000. He needs wins and a Chase spot or faces the real possibility of ending his Hendrick career in a disappointing heap. A solid run in Daytona would be the best medicine for the 88 team to begin a turnaround.

3. Jimmie Johnson: #/MAKE: #48 Chevrolet | TEAM: Hendrick Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Chad Knaus

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 16 | Poles: 2 | Wins: 1 | Top 5: 6 | Top 10: 9 | DNF: 4 | Avg. Start: 9.5 | Avg. Finish: 14.2 | Laps Led: 59

Won his Gatorade Duel with a backup car and fired another shot at those who think there is no way Johnson will win a fifth consecutive championship. The title needs to be taken away from Johnson, who doesn't appear ready to let go anytime soon.

4. Kasey Kahne: #/MAKE: #9 Ford | TEAM: Richard Petty Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Kenny Francis

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 12 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 4 | DNF: 3 | Avg. Start: 26.0 | Avg. Finish: 17.8 | Laps Led: 5

Started his Richard Petty Motorsports Ford career with a trip to Victory Lane in his Gatorade Duel. Kahne is driving for his future with his contract set to expire at RPM at the end of the year, and he proved Thursday he will be a definite contender to start the year with a 500 win.

5. Kevin Harvick: #/MAKE: #29 Chevrolet | TEAM: Richard Childress Racing | CREW CHIEF: Gil Martin

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 17 | Poles: 1 | Wins: 1 | Top 5: 4 | Top 10: 6 | DNF: 5 | Avg. Start: 17.4 | Avg. Finish: 15.7 | Laps Led: 88

Another driver who has an unsettled future, and a solid year will give Harvick lots of leverage on whatever contract he signs for 2011 and beyond. The 2007 Daytona 500 winner has won the past two Budweiser Shootouts, so the 29 car obviously can get around Daytona as good as any.

6. Tony Stewart: #/MAKE: #14 Chevy | TEAM: Stewart-Haas | CREW CHIEF: Darian Grubb

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 20 | Poles: 2 | Wins: 3 | Top 5: 7 | Top 10: 11 | DNF: 4 | Avg. Start: 10.6 | Avg. Finish: 16.45 | Laps Led: 633

Showed some life in his 150-mile race Thursday and is hungry to win his first career Daytona 500. Stewart comes off the heels of a solid first year as an owner/driver, and there are no signs of SHR slowing down in its sophomore season.

7. Kyle Busch: #/MAKE: #18 Toyota | TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing | CREW CHIEF: Dave Rogers

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 10 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 1 | Top 5: 4 | Top 10: 4 | DNF: 2 | Avg. Start: 13.3 | Avg. Finish: 18.0 | Laps Led: 235

Begins his first full year with Dave Rogers as crew chief and is certainly motivated to put last year's disappointment of missing the Chase behind. Has been consistently strong at Daytona and came within an eyelash of winning last July's race if not for a final lap blocking incident and subsequent crash with Stewart.

8. Juan Pablo Montoya: #/MAKE: #42 Chevrolet | TEAM: Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing | CREW CHIEF: Brian Pattie

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 6 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 1 | DNF: 2 | Avg. Start: 20.3 | Avg. Finish: 24.0 | Laps Led: 0

Out of the shadows last year and thrust into the role of legitimate title contender, Montoya has shown some power with his Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet during Speedweeks. He'll need to find a drafting partner and may have one with new teammate Jamie McMurray, who also has been impressive at Daytona.

9. Clint Bowyer: #/MAKE: #33 Chevrolet| TEAM: Richard Childress Racing | CREW CHIEF: Shane Wilson

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 8 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 1 | Top 10: 5 | DNF: 0 | Avg. Start: 22.9 | Avg. Finish: 13.4 | Laps Led: 59

Part of the resurgent Richard Childress Racing stable, Bowyer puts winning at Daytona at the top of his career goals. Ran near the front in his Duel race and has the potential to notch a memorable finish.

10. Kurt Busch: #/MAKE: #2 Dodge | TEAM: Penske Racing | CREW CHIEF: Steve Addington

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 18 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 9 | Top 10: 10 | DNF: 2 | Avg. Start: 22.2 | Avg. Finish: 17.2 | Laps Led: 167

After crashing two cars in practice and the Shootout this week, Busch had one of the strongest mounts in the Duel, and many are pointing to the 2 car as a favorite to win the 500. New crew chief Steve Addington has a chance to bring the elder Busch a victory after coming close with younger brother Kyle when he was with the 18 team.

11. Regan Smith: #/MAKE: #78 Chevrolet | TEAM: Furniture Row Racing | CREW CHIEF: Ryan Coniam

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 4 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 0 | Avg. Start: 30.5 | Avg. Finish: 23.5 | Laps Led: 0

His Furniture Row Racing team has the funding to run an entire season, which has put some pep in Smith's step. An astute restrictor plate driver, Smith bears watching as a possible upset special winner on Sunday.

12. Elliott Sadler: #/MAKE: #19 Ford | TEAM: Richard Petty Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Wally Rogers

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 22 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 4 | Top 10: 9 | DNF: 4 | Avg. Start: 26.0 | Avg. Finish: 17.0 | Laps Led: 38

Hoping the newfound Ford power of Richard Petty Motorsports is to his advantage Sunday, Sadler looks to get his career back on track after a string of disappointing seasons. Ran up front in the 2009 Daytona 500 for much of the race.

13. Jamie McMurray: #/MAKE: #1 Chevrolet | TEAM: Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing | CREW CHIEF: Kevin Manion

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 14 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 1 | Top 5: 2 | Top 10: 3 | DNF: 8 | Avg. Start: 22.0 | Avg. Finish: 25.6 | Laps Led: 4

Has turned a lot of heads in Daytona as McMurray makes the move from Roush Fenway Racing to Earnhardt Ganassi, replacing departed Martin Truex Jr. Look for McMurray and teammate Montoya to pair up in the draft and work together as much as possible Sunday.

14. Martin Truex Jr.: #/MAKE: #56 Toyota | TEAM: Michael Waltrip Racing | CREW CHIEF: Pat Tryson

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 9 | Poles: 1 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 2 | Avg. Start: 16.1 | Avg. Finish: 21.6 | Laps Led: 17

Makes his debut with Michael Waltrip Racing and looks to bounce back from a mediocre season a year ago with EGR. New crew chief Pat Tryson comes along to try to lift MWR to the next level.

16. Joey Logano: #/MAKE: #20 Toyota | TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing | CREW CHIEF: Greg Zipadelli

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 2 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 1 | Avg. Start: 15.0 | Avg. Finish: 31.0 | Laps Led: 0

The reigning Rookie of the Year had a horrible Speedweeks a year ago but appears to have learned a lot as he returns for his sophomore season. Crew chief Greg Zipadelli has won at Daytona before with Tony Stewart so knows how to get a car to Victory Lane.

18. Marcos Ambrose: #/MAKE: #47 Toyota | TEAM: JTG Daugherty Racing | CREW CHIEF: Frank Kerr

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 2 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 1 | DNF: 0 | Avg. Start: 20.5 | Avg. Finish: 11.5 | Laps Led: 0

Predicted by many to be the next breakout star of the Sprint Cup and potentially this year's Juan Pablo Montoya. Ambrose rides the wave of the resurgent Michael Waltrip Racing organization into the biggest race of the year.

20. David Reutimann: #/MAKE: #00 Toyota | TEAM: Michael Waltrip Racing | CREW CHIEF: Rodney Childers

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 6 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 3 | Avg. Start: 33.3 | Avg. Finish: 25.5 | Laps Led: 0

Fell short of a Chase berth last year, a season that included his first career victory. Reutimann will need some teammate help from Truex Jr., Ambrose and Co. to challenge for a top 10 finish on Sunday.

21. Jeff Gordon: #/MAKE: #24 Chevrolet | TEAM: Hendrick Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Steve Letarte

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 34 | Poles: 4 | Wins: 6 | Top 5: 11 | Top 10: 17 | DNF: 6 | Avg. Start: 10.8 | Avg. Finish: 15.5 | Laps Led: 572

Another "Drive for Five” championship season begins for Gordon, and no reason to believe he won't again be in the title fight. Damaged his primary car in Thursday's Duel so will slide to a backup for his shot at a win Sunday.

22. Brian Vickers: #/MAKE: #83 Toyota | TEAM: Red Bull | CREW CHIEF: Ryan Pemberton

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 11 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 3 | DNF: 6 | Avg. Start: 23.2 | Avg. Finish: 20.1 | Laps Led: 34

Slid into the Chase at the very last minute last year in an impressive season for Team Red Bull, which included a victory at Michigan. Got shuffled out of the top spot in his Duel but proved capable of running near the front.

24. Matt Kenseth: #/MAKE: #17 Ford | TEAM: Roush Fenway Racing | CREW CHIEF: Drew Blickensderfer

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 20 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 1 | Top 5: 3 | Top 10: 9 | DNF: 5 | Avg. Start: 22.9 | Avg. Finish: 17.9 | Laps Led: 69

The defending Daytona 500 winner missed the Chase last year for the first time since its inception. New colors adorn the 17 car, with Kenseth's Ford engine showing some pep during Speedweeks.

25. Denny Hamlin: #/MAKE: #11 Toyota | TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing | CREW CHIEF: Mike Ford

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 8 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 1 | Top 10: 1 | DNF: 0 | Avg. Start: 8.6 | Avg. Finish: 23.8 | Laps Led: 111

Having laid claim as the driver who will unseat Johnson as Sprint Cup Series champion in 2010, Hamlin will drive the with a torn ACL in his left knee but doesn't appear any worse for wear. Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota power should be stout this year, beginning Sunday.

26. Brad Keselowski: #/MAKE: #12 Dodge | TEAM: Penske Racing | CREW CHIEF: Jay Guy

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 1 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 0 | Avg. Start: 36.0 | Avg. Finish: 24.0 | Laps Led: 0

Joining Penske Racing in 2010 (replacing David Stremme) in the team's No. 12 Dodge, Keselowski comes in with a target on his back thanks to an already aggressive reputation. If Sunday becomes a physical race, look for the 12 car to be right in the middle of the action.

27. Carl Edwards: #/MAKE: #99 Ford | TEAM: Roush Fenway Racing | CREW CHIEF: Bob Osborne

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 10 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 3 | Top 10: 3 | DNF: 3 | Avg. Start: 17.2 | Avg. Finish: 19.7 | Laps Led: 3

After leading the series with nine wins in 2008, Edwards was somehow winless last year. Although he made the Chase, Edwards wasn't anywhere near a championship contender and is committed to beginning 2010 on high note with a good day Sunday.

28. Mike Bliss: #/MAKE: #36 Chevrolet | TEAM: Tommy Baldwin Racing | CREW CHIEF: Kevin Buskirk

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 5 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 0 | Avg. Start: 28.0 | Avg. Finish: 25.0 | Laps Led: 0

One of the independent stories that won fans' hearts Thursday when he raced his way into the 500 thanks to a good finish in his Duel race. The underfunded Tommy Baldwin Racing team needs a good run to help set up its season.

30. Scott Speed: #/MAKE: #82 Toyota | TEAM: Red Bull | CREW CHIEF: Jimmy Elledge

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 2 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 2 | Avg. Start: 37.5 | Avg. Finish: 33.0 | Laps Led: 0

The pressure was on without a Top 35 guaranteed spot in the field, but Speed raced his way into the field with a solid finish on Thursday. It's an important year for the second driver on the Red Bull team, who can't afford to start the season poorly.

35. Travis Kvapil: #/MAKE: #37 Ford | TEAM: Front Row Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Peter Sospenzo

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 7 | Poles: 0 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 0 | Top 10: 0 | DNF: 1 | Avg. Start: 26.7 | Avg. Finish: 28.9 | Laps Led: 1

Landed a full-time ride for Front Row Motorsports, which will field Fords through an alliance with Roush Fenway Racing. The former truck series champion looking to re-establish himself as a regular Cup competitor.

38. Boris Said: #/MAKE: #26 Ford | TEAM: Latitude 43 Motorsports | CREW CHIEF: Frank Stoddard

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 5 | Poles: 1 | Wins: 0 | Top 5: 1 | Top 10: 1 | DNF: 3 | Avg. Start: 15.2 | Avg. Finish: 21.6 | Laps Led: 11

Locked into the field through the new Latitude 43 team's deal to acquire the Top 35 points of the defunct Roush Fenway Racing No. 26, Said has proved before he can be competitive at restrictor plate tracks if in the right equipment.

39. Jeff Burton: #/MAKE: #31 Chevrolet | TEAM: Richard Childress Racing | CREW CHIEF: Todd Berrier

CAREER DAYTONA STATS
Starts: 32 | Poles: 1 | Wins: 1 | Top 5: 6 | Top 10: 8 | DNF: 7 | Avg. Start: 21.5 | Avg. Finish: 17.8 | Laps Led: 102

His streak of bad luck continued with a cut tire and damage in Thursday's Duel. Burton needs to have the pendulum swing back into the good luck side of things to keep his hot streak of two consecutive runner-up finishes to end last season going.

Games

See All Games

Visit App Central

Fantasy News and Analysis

2010 Daytona 500 driver profiles

CBSSports.com Shop

	Fantasy Football is evolving. Find out when.
	The Official Fantasy Baseball Commissioner Game of MLB.com.
	Compete for up to $3,500 with Fantasy Baseball Premium Games.