There was a thought that things may change when the Car of Tomorrow came into existence because the aerodynamics of the car were so different. It was thought to be more probable that all the other teams would gain ground just by the new body design of the car and take away some of the edge that SuperPower teams like Hendrick Motorsports had over the rest of the series. In the final plate race of 2007, they ran the COT to give themselves all a little experience in working with the new car on the fastest track in the series. The results for that race at Talladega were no different than they were in the spring Talladega race, Jeff Gordon first, and Jimmie Johnson second.

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Most people came into the 2008 season with the notion that Chevy and Hendrick were just far superior than the rest in plate races. To make matters appear worse, the biggest free-agent signing in NASCAR history brought one of the best plate race drivers to Hendrick Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was now a teammate with Gordon and Johnson and together they have combined to win 16 plate races for Chevy since 2000.

Sure enough, Junior showed his skills and equipment during Daytona Speedweeks in February, racing his way to victories in the Bud Shootout and one of the Gatorade qualifying races. Junior’s Daytona 500 odds in Las Vegas were dropping to as low as 2/1 in some books because it just looked so easy and apparent that he would continue his dominance for both Hendrick and Chevy. Everyone wanted a ticket on Junior. The Junior Nation wanted to celebrate victory with Junior in his first race.

When the Daytona 500 finally finished, there were no Chevy’s in victory lane. In fact, there was only one Chevy that finished in the top 12. The final result had two Penske Dodges finish 1-2 with two Gibbs Toyota’s finishing 3rd and 4th. Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart had dominated all day, only to have a late charge by Ryan Newman supported by Kurt Busch ruin their dream of winning the Daytona 500.

When Talladega came around, talk was still about the Chevy’s dominance over the last eight years, but the fresh topic was how fast Joe Gibbs had his Toyota’s at Daytona Speedweeks. Could they do it again? Yes, they could! Kyle Busch led the last four laps to win with Denny Hamlin finishing 3rd. Tony Stewart led the most laps during the race but was involved in an accident that ruined his day.

So, as we head into Saturday Night’s plate race at Daytona, is there any reason to think Joe Gibbs won’t dominate again? Weird things happen in plate races, especially a 400 miler like this one. Last season saw Jamie McMurray get the win in this race. McMurray winning a race? I don’t know what is weirder than that.

Junior ran well in both his plate races this season, but wasn’t even in any of the Gibbs cars class. Just banking on what we know and have seen thus far, it makes it tough to go against any of the Gibbs drivers. Had the Daytona 500 been a 400 mile race, Kyle Busch wins. Stewart has not only had a fast car this year in plate races, but has been stellar in the July Daytona race winning in 2005 and 2006. Let’s go with Tony to get his first win of the season and join his Gibbs teammates who already have won.

TOP 5 Finish prediction:

1) #20 Tony Stewart (8/1)
2) #11 Denny Hamlin (10/1)
3) #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr (8/1)
4) #18 Kyle Busch (5/1)
5) #07 Clint Bowyer (18/1)

Kurt Busch win pays at PT’s

Most Las Vegans were pleasantly surprised to see our very own Kurt Busch make the great call of not pitting late in last week’s New Hampshire race taking the lead and then wait for the rain. The rain did come and the race was called giving Busch his first win of the season. With that win, Las Vegan’s were paid over $3,200 in slot pay just by being present at a PT’s when Busch won and also treated to free pints of Miller Lite.

PT’s is also continuing its support of NASCAR and its fans by offering a great promotion that will send 30 winners and a guest to Fontana for the Labor Day weekend race.

Micah Roberts is a Race and Sports Director for Station Casinos in Las Vegas , Nevada who covers motor sports from both a bettor and bookmaker's perspective.