NASCAR: Dark Horse Picks for the Daytona 500

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Feb 16, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ty Dillon during media day for the 2016 NASCAR season at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Ty Dillon

First off, congratulations for Leavine Family Racing for having two cars make the Daytona 500 for the first time in team history. Both Michael McDowell (No. 59) and Ty Dillon (No. 95) earned positions in the Great American Race in their Chevrolets. McDowell had to race his way in to the 500 in the Can-Am Duel, but he was able to fall back on speed because of the No. 21 being the highest finisher of the “open” teams.

As for Dillon, he ran a strong performance in the second Can-Am Duel staying in the lead draft throughout the race in his Cheerios machine. Ty was able to avoid the last-lap calamity and come home with a fifth-place finish. With Matt Kenseth being forced to a backup car, Dillon will start inside of the top 10 in the Great American Race. The car has shown speed in single-car runs as well, with Dillon putting up a 17th place position in Sunday’s qualifying session.

Dillon finished last year’s Daytona Xfinity race in third position and has one previous Daytona 500 start, so he is somewhat familiar with the racetrack. With the speed of the ECR engine underneath and the talent of Dillon behind the wheel, if Ty can keep the No. 95 Chevrolet out of trouble, he may sneak into contention by the end of Sunday’s event.

Next: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

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