SPEED FREAKS
Q: How will the first lap look at Daytona’s road-race debut?
GODSPEAK (Godwin Kelly): Wheelhop. Chaos. Madness. Spills. Wrecks. Confusion. Bedlam. Disorder. Turmoil. KEN’S CALL (Ken Willis): Ever tiptoe through a dark house without wanting to step on the cat and wake everyone? There you go.
Q: Just a one-year Penske extension for Brad Keselowski?
GODSPEAK: That is a rather short leash. At least he has a contract, unlike Erik Jones, who will get the boot by Joe Gibbs at season’s end. KEN’S CALL: It was mildly surprising and I wonder who wanted it to be short. But with what happened this year, a year sounds long term and smart.
Godwin’s picks for Daytona
Winner: Martin Truex Jr.
Rest of top 5: Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer First one out: Ryan Preece
Dark horse: Tyler Reddick
Don’t be surprised if: The first lap produces a major calamity and the last lap becomes a drag race to the checkered flag.
Ken Willis’ Top 10 driver rankings
1. Kevin Harvick: Look who’s back up front
2. Denny Hamlin: Was only renting #1 ranking
3. Brad Keselowski: What about beyond 2021?
4. Martin Truex Jr.: Four straight thirds
5. Aric Almirola: Two top-10 finishes in 19 career road races
6. Joey Logano: Back in form, but not winning form
7. Chase Elliott: Mr. Hunch kinda likes him this week
8. Kurt Busch: Still leading the “Busch Series”
9. Kyle Busch: Showed some renewed speed at Michigan
10. Matt DiBenedetto: Look who crashed the top 10!