NASCAR: Dark Horse Picks for the Daytona 500

Ryan Blaney

The Wood Brothers Racing team has come to Daytona and the 2016 season looking to make a statement. They made news last week when it was announced that they would not be one of the teams receiving a guaranteed position in the field with the new charter agreement. The team decided to leave the Race Team Alliance coalition as a result of being rejected from the 36 car charter agreement and are looking for vengeance.

One of the best ways to start off the team’s first full-season in nine years would be to earn another Daytona 500 victory. The team has won the Great American Race with multiple drivers, with Trevor Bayne being the most recent in one of the most surprising trips to Victory Lane in NASCAR history in 2011. Ryan Blaney will be competing for the Rookie of the Year award and a position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

In Daytona, the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford has been strong as is usually the case. Blaney piloted the car to the second round in Sunday’s qualifying session, ending up with a fast seventh-place run. In Thursday night’s first Can-Am Duel Blaney placed a strong third place effort after working strong with Penske pseudo-teammate Joey Logano throughout the race. Blaney has already earned a top 5 restrictor-plate race finish in his short Cup career, having finished fourth last season at Talladega.

Look for this rookie to avoid trouble and have a strong effort on Sunday afternoon. Don’t be surprised if he is in serious contention at the end and may even find his path to Victory Lane with the storied Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford.

Next: Chase Elliott