DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — After a successful final practice Saturday, I went back to the motor coach feeling upbeat and ready for the big day. But then the butterflies started to set in, which is pretty normal before any race, especially the Daytona 500.
Even though we were pleased with our Furniture Row Chevrolet in Happy Hour (final practice), there is still a lot on my mind, thinking about all the different scenarios that could play out in a race. You lie in bed and try to simulate in your mind what to do if this happened or if that happened.
You have to be ready for all situations. I am sure it’s not any different than what Tim Tebow goes through the night before a Broncos game.
Speaking of Tebow, I was quickly corrected by Floridians during a fan hospitality appearance Saturday that Florida is the real Tebow country. I couldn’t argue that point since Tim is a product of Jacksonville, a one-hour drive north of Daytona.
The forecast is calling for rain and that could be a major factor. If there’s weather in the area, you’re going to have no choice but to run flat out since the race could be officially called any time after we complete half the laps (100).
But if the rain holds off, it’s going to come down to how you handle those closing laps. I believe you’re going to have to be in the top five heading into the final lap to have a shot at winning. And I truly feel that we have a realistic shot of winning NASCAR’s biggest prize.
