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If Patrick is still in the lead after the first lap, she deserves an F1 test.

Otherwise, she's just proving Marko right.

She's gonna break more records today and win it

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I genuinely hope she does do well.

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

green flag time is 1330 et (1830 gmt)

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With comments like this I'm going to assume you haven't seen much NASCAR restrictor plate racing. I'm no NASCAR fan and no expert, but whether Danica leads the first lap or not has very little to do with her ability as a driver, and a whole lot to do with how the draft works. Specifically, which side of the track will work best? The high side might work better than the low side, helping Gordon. And will Kevin Harvick, who starts directly behind her, help her lead the first lap?

If Danica does get to lead, she may stay there for a while. Once the pack gets single file, passing is virtually impossible this year at Daytona.

However, I suspect she will really struggle today. People say ''she has a fast car!'' but the reality is that at the Daytona 500, having a fast car in qualifying and having a fast car in the race are two entirely different things. The difference is far, far more extreme than in F1.

So if we consider that...
1. We don't know whether Danica's car is fast in race conditions, since she basically didn't try to compete in the duels
2. She has very little restrictor plate experience at this level, having been taken out on the second lap last year.
3. Drivers are unlikely to draft with her due to said lack of experience.
... It's very unlikely she will do well tonight. A top 10 finish would be a major achievement for her.

Harvick and Matt Kenseth appear to have the fastest cars in race conditions. Kyle Busch, Kahne, Stewart and Biffle also look strong. But given that Daytona tends to throw up freak results, the chances are someone else will win.

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I don't follow F1 so I don't know what I'm talking about

As long as the weather holds out (unlike last year) I'll be happy. I think Tony Stewart will get the win but ANYTHING can and will happen. I don't watch much NASCAR, only the restrictor plate races, Bristol night race and Darlington but i love it and can't wait for DW and "Boogity, boogity, boogity boys, let's go racin'!"

I follow the tech in Nascar but not the actual racing - I watch the road races, and the 500 every year, that's usually it - but this year I've watched allllllllllll of speed weeks racing and practice (I'm on nascar overload and a little disgusted with myself) and I've decided I'm a fan of BK because he exudes chillness at his fairly young age, I like the way he talks about set up, he's a bit different than the rest, and I like the driving I've seen so far. Other picks in my household are for Michael Waltrip, Kyle Busch, and Argo for Best Picture. Oh, wait...nvmd.

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That would be something if Waltrip won ! He usually does quite well then end's up getting caught in a wreck which takes him out of the race.

everybody stand up for 50 cent

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??? Seriously???

I assume you are kidding

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

James Franco "Drivers and Danica, start you're engines"

Testing for what? So that she could try to get attention for a race seat? She's 30 years old. That ship has already sailed I'm afraid.

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"OHO!-magazine number 46/2006: - I read somewhere that I drive with the luck of a drunk."

+
There is a lot of insight in this post.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

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Let's go racing MF!!!!!!

edit. Go Danica toooooo!!!!!!

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The best thing about races like Daytona is you have no idea who'll win until the finish line.

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Or Talladega

No F1 test for Danica then...

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1994 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Lap 6... 37 drivers within 2 seconds of the lead

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

My first time watching this. I don't know why but I actually like it so far.

are they a lot quicker than last year or is it me?

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Cozz... NASCAR is quite different in that you really do not have any idea who is going to win it... they are all so close... and luck is as important as skill and car it seems. I really enjoy NASCAR, as well as F1... two different disciplines, both valid racing series.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

I agree, they are flying. Bets on first yellow, between lap 25 & 35 for me.

rife,

I think that part of that sensation is the way the cameras are used. they get some really dramatic shots.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

avg spd nearly 200mph, what's their top spd?

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That gyro cam in Harvick's car is stunning.

Because there was no point in giving thirty-two year old Damon Hill an F1 seat, etc.

These cars are restricted so they cannot max out speed. they are lapping at about 195mph however. I believe the unrestricted top speed for a NASCAR car is around 230... not bad for a large, "crude", 3400 lb, machine.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

high line looks very quick

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Without the restrictor plate, the cars could probably do 225mph at Daytona. With it, a lot depends on how the draft works, but around 200 is top speed.

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I don't follow F1 so I don't know what I'm talking about

That's what I was just going to post. Give you a much better idea of how strep that banking is.

I remember seeing photos from when they were repaving the track last year, and they to have a cable system at the top to keep the asphalt laying machines from sliding down.

they look too quick

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As I suspected, Danica is holding her own so far. She should stay tucked behind Gordon for a while. I can't see her being in this position at the finish though.

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I don't follow F1 so I don't know what I'm talking about

She always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But you never know, maybe the 500 will be kind to her.

Caution for debris at lap 27, i win.

First pit stops coming up... could be interesting. Wise move by Gordon to use the pace car to clean the paper off the grill.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

Danica lost a few places in pit road there. Kyle Busch driving on the grass around Mcmurray

JPM running in 11th before the pit stops, Scott Speed in the 30s.. No other F1 alumni as far as I could see.

I believe that is all there is... actually, I am surprised to see Speed there.

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15

there go some of the better cars!

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Forza Ferrari
WCCs = 16
WDCs = 15