Celebrity picks to win the Daytona 500

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 13, 2009

Celebrity picks to win the Daytona 500

Kristanna Loken

"I think Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes it this year. He's got the right bloodline, plus he's a looker."

Kevin James

"Tony Stewart. New car, but same Tony.''

Tobin Bell

"I'm going to go out on a limb and say Joey Logano. I know it's his first Daytona 500, but to be that young and competing with the best drivers, you know he has to be scary good."

David Spade

"I pick Jimmie Johnson to win because someone winning four would be good for the sport. And he's good. And he bought me a beer once. Its mostly because of the last one.''

Shaun White

"I'm gonna have to go with my boy Brian Vickers. He's one of my fellow Red Bull athletes and I know he can get the job done. Good luck BV!"

Khloe Kardashian

"It's all about #9 in '09. Kasey Kahne's my guy. Nine is my favorite number and you know great things are in store for anyone with the initials KK."

Steve Harwell

''Tony Stewart has something to prove, not only to himself as an owner/driver, but also to his fans and Joe Gibbs Racing for not showing him the respect he deserves for not only being the senior driver on that team but also as a past champion. And, with Ryan Newman, last year's Daytona 500 winner, pushing his boss to the front on the final lap, it's going to be something to see!''

Janet Evanovich

"I think Mark Martin is going to win the 500. I heard a rumor he's driving naked and no one wants to get too close."

John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting

"Carl Edwards will edge out class-act champion Jimmie Johnson to win the Daytona 500, climaxing with the first triple backflip in NASCAR history!"

Nick Lachey

"Jimmie Johnson. Isn't it obvious?"

Darius Rucker

"My front runner for Daytona would have to be Jimmie Johnson. With the way the 48 car finished the season in '08, this team has to carry that momentum into the 500."

William Fichtner

''Jeff Gordon could very well be the man to beat this year, but how 'bout' that Jimmie Johnson! Daytona? Jeff Gordon.''

Gavin DeGraw

`'Jeff Gordon. He's long overdue for a big win. I don't think there is a driver on the track who isn't worried about him showing up in their rear view mirror.''

Mario Batali

"Jimmie Johnson has the team, the cars, the support and the 'cool' to win Daytona and become the first 4-peat in NASCAR championship history. He's also a damn good eater and excellent home cook, which qualifies him for the ''Batali'' gourmet-driver biathalon award as well.''

John McEnroe

"I want Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win."

Darrell Waltrip

"Kurt Busch -- because the Penske cars will be the surprise of the Daytona 500. Look at the record of Penske on the restrictor-plate tracks, Kurt Busch particularly. Now his brother, Kyle, is the head of the pack. Kurt's there every race, too. It could be a Busch-whacking going on in February."

Alex Ovechkin

"Somebody told me that I was the most famous No. 8 after Junior switched numbers to the 88. I don't know about that, but I know he's fast, just like me."

Patricia Manterola

"Many great Latin drivers are involved in NASCAR. I definitely think Juan Pablo Montoya will be the winner!"

Jared Fogle

"I predict Carl Edwards will win. I'm really excited to have Carl on board as the Subway driver this year, and I believe his inaugural season will start with a win at Daytona."

Martin Brodeur

"Greg Biffle because I had the pleasure of working in his pit crew during the Montreal NASCAR Nationwide Series race in August of 2007.''

Rex Ryan

"Carl Edwards in the 99 car because he's a Ford guy and I drive an F-150."

Gary Dell'Abate

"Tony Stewart...because he's on Sirius XM and he let me stand in his pit box."

Mark Calcavecchia

''You just don't win three straight championships by accident. Jimmie Johnson is gonna win. He is the Tiger Woods of racing. Every race he is the favorite, just like Tiger is when he tees it up. He also has the best all-around team and crew chief in Chad Knaus.''

Justin Morneau

''Kasey Kahne.''<br><br>(Morneau and Kasey met in Chicago and took a picture together. Kahne signed a print and sent it to Morneau, who has it hung proudly in his home.)

Tony Sparano

''As a big Jeff Gordon fan, I hope he wins the race. But more than that, I'm really looking forward to attending the Daytona 500. I used to live in Daytona and worked across the street from the speedway at a Days Inn, which was torn down a while ago. But I've never been to the race. I'm really looking forward to returning to Daytona and finally getting a chance to see the Great American Race."

Ozzie Smith

''Jimmie Johnson. I like his chances to get off to a hot start this season.''

Brandon Webb

''It's hard for me to pick just one driver, so I am going to pick my top 4. The guys at Richard Childress Racing have a great team, and I think Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick have a good shot. I wouldn't count out past NASCAR champ Kurt Busch, either. And how do you not consider Jimmie Johnson a favorite too! It should be a great race!''

Justin Smith

"Carl Edwards.I know a damn race driver when I see one, and he can drive. He can drive beyond the limits of the tires, the engine, the car or anything else."

David Akers

"I don't know how you go against a Hendrick car to be honest. I have several acquaintances who are running this race and I'd like to see them all do well, especially Martin Truex, Dale Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. I really don't want to make a pick over the other guys, but if I have to make a pick, I'm going to say Dale Jr."

Deron Williams

"Carl Edwards. He finished last season on fire -- so I am looking for him to pick up where he left off -- and I am also a little biased since we're both vitaminwater guys."

Ryan Suter

''Gotta go with Dale Earnhardt Jr. He's always got a chance. He's obviously been there and knows how to win. He's a good racer, good driver.''

Johnny Damon

"Kasey Kahne, cause he's my buddy and I'm seeing his showcar all over central Florida this winter. So, they are on track"!

Joe Girardi

"Kyle Busch has learned a great deal over the past year and is truly poised to win this race and will remain successful through the season because of all he has absorbed."

Kevin Sorbo

''Michael Waltrip, because we have golfed together before.... what can I say. He is tall. I'm tall. It all makes perfect sense.''

Russ Grimm

"Denny Hamlin or Kyle Busch. Gibbs is a winner. Lil' E will be up there. Good genes."

Rick Mahorn

''I like Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win it. He's always been my favorite driver.''

Dennis Wideman

"My pick is Jeff Gordon. He's my favorite driver, and it has been a long time since he's won at Daytona. He's going to have a good season this year, and its going to start with Daytona."

Phil Hellmuth

"My pick is Jeff Gordon. He won it 1997, 1999 and 2005, and his seventh place finish in the standings last year is just not good enough for Gordon. He wants to come out fighting this year and prove that he is still one of the greatest drivers ever! Plus he plays Texas Hold'em really well."

Raymond Felton

Tony Stewart is a tough competitor. He will do anything to win."

Henrik Lundqvist

"I've been following NASCAR the last couple years. I've gotten to know Jeff Gordon a little bit, we've gone out to dinner. So I'll pick Jeff. How can I not pick the four-time champ, right?"

Gerald Wallace

"I've always liked Dale Jr., and just want to see him win. I had a chance to meet him a couple of years ago and thought he was a good dude."

Emeka Okafor

"Kasey Kahne and I have a partnership, Team 950, that provides tickets for kids to attend sporting events. So I'm a little partial to him. And he's fast."

J.J. Redick

''I like Jeff Gordon. He has won in the past in Daytona, and I know he will be looking to get off to a good start this year.''

Dave Kingman

"I'm a big fan of Jeff Gordon. I would love to see him win!"

George Martin

"Our family is pulling for Michael Waltrip. He's won twice at Daytona, and with sponsor Best Western, he supports A Journey for 9.11, my cross country walk that provides medical care to rescue and recovery workers who selflessly responded on 9.11 and are now sick."

Boo Weekley

"I pick Dale Jr. because he's cool."

Denard Span

"Dale Earnhardt Jr. He is a great competitor, one of the best, and always seems to step up in the big moments."

Vince Carter

''I've got my sights on Mark Martin. Mark's second place finish in 2007 at the Daytona 500 can only make him want it more. With teammates Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon pushing him, the veteran has a great chance for victory. With this group, there is even a better chance for the Hendricks team to be in Victory Lane. Oh yeah, I hear Mark and I share a similar interest . . . we listen to rap music before it's game time!''

John Riggins

"Dale Earnhardt Jr. because I know low people in high places that have told me his R&D team have perfected a head that is going to revolutionize motor sports in general and NASCAR in particular."