Racing

Celebrity Picks to Win Daytona 500

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 18, 2011

Celebrity Picks to Win Daytona 500

Patrick Dempsey

"Mark Martin would be great. I think people would be flipping out if he won it. I said Jimmie Johnson last year but I cursed him. I'd like to see him win, but I don't know if he's going to win it this year."

Gary Levox

"I'm going with Jimmie Johnson in the 48 car. I love the way he races and I've always been a Chevy guy and a big fan of the Hendricks team. They are first class!"

Brad Paisley

"Jeff Gordon. I have met Jeff a few times and I think the four-time champ will win this year's Daytona 500. The Hendrick cars are strong, and Jeff is one of the best at Daytona."

Dick Vitale

"Denny Hamlin because he's a basketball fanatic."

Nich Lachey

"Jimmie Johnson will win the 2011 Daytona 500. I know, I know, it's a bit of a long shot because the guy hasn't figured out the "winning" thing just yet, but I have a nose for these things! In all seriousness, no driver combines talent, poise and almost anal preparation like Jimmie does. He's the best for a reason and I fully expect the winning push for six straight titles to begin at Daytona!"

Mario Lopez

"It may be between Carl Edwards and Juan Pablo Montoya, but I think Juan will pull off the win... he is due!"

Jill Wagner

"After being advised by my grandmother, my answer is Jeff Gordon. Why? Because my grandma thinks he's cute and says it's high time he won a race!"

Mario Batali

"It's foolish to think there will be any confident betting against my good pal Jimmie Johnson, and I am totally with them, and him, for that matter. But if I were going to take a bet outside the JJ circle, there may be a bit of a battle between past winners Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick. I would have to place my non-Johnson money on Jamie to repeat!"

Abby Elliott

"Denny Hamlin. It's his time. He's a great racer. Soooooooooooooo fast! Plus, I'd love to be in his passenger seat. But only going to like a restaurant or something."

Jeff Probst

"It's anybody's race! With the new pavement it should make for three wide racin' all day and an exciting race for the fans. I will always support Smoke (Tony Stewart), especially at Daytona or any Superspeedway."

Meat Loaf

"I really hope it's Carl Edwards. I love the Back Flip . After driving 200 mph for 500 miles. If he wins he does a back flip, how great is that. My pick though is Kyle Bush this year."

Emmy Rossum

"I'm picking Jimmie Johnson to win the Daytona 500. After winning the championship five years in a row, he seems like a solid choice."

Lauren Conrad

"I met Kasey Kahne at a race last year and he was so fun to watch. He's my pick."

Carrot Top

"200 miles per hour, three wide at Daytona... I'm going with the 24, Jeff Gordon."

Joey Lawrence

"I think Jimmie Johnson is going to take it all again. He has a small dynasty right now. I just think he's got the best pit crew and the best cars in all of NASCAR, and then you throw in his tremendous driving skills on top of all that and it equals... unbeatable!"

Jared

"Carl Edwards. He won the last two NASCAR Sprint Cup races last year. Hopefully that momentum will carry him into this year."

Paige Hemmis

"I'm predicting Carl Edwards. He is an amazing driver and also a kind and giving soul who deserves to win! He participated in our recent "Don't text while driving" campaign, showing the world not only that he cares about this important cause, but that even the best drivers in the world need to be careful. He is a skilled and professional driver with a heart of gold. Go Carl! "

Joe Namath

"I'm going to go with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win this year's Daytona 500. Number 88 is an absolute warrior on the track and is primed to start the season off on fire with a Daytona 500 win and a come back year in 2011."

O.A.R.

"Brian Vickers has been a great friend of ours for years. We know that 2010 was a tough year for him off the track, and we're very excited to see him healthy and ready to race. His story is a great one, defying the odds and making a comeback to do what he loves. Winning the 2011 Daytona 500 would be one of the best comeback stories of the year in not only NASCAR, but in sports. We wish him the best."

Gavin DeGraw

"Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie is a great driver who has a consistently strong team. He's an all around great guy like the rest of the NASCAR family. I always wish him the best."

Troy Polamalu

"I'm picking Kyle Busch."

Dirk Nowitzki

"Jimmie Johnson because he is the man and wins all the time."

Ndamukong Suh

"I'm going with my fellow Subway restaurant's teammate, Carl Edwards. He won the last two races in 2010 and gets a fresh start heading into Daytona for the 2011 season."

Martin Brodeur

"Greg Biffle... I was "hired" to be a pit guy once in Montreal when NASCAR was there and that was my driver. I got to meet him, meet his family and meet the crew. I was the Stop Guy to make sure he stopped at the pits. I had the firesuit, everything. Since then, that's the only guy that I look to see where he finished. I wish him the best."

Mike Tomlin

"Joe Gibbs Racing. I went to college with JD Gibbs.... Joe's son is who runs the racing team. So I am a Joe Gibbs racing guy. Any Joe Gibbs driver, I'm with."

Dierks Bentley

"Mark Martin. It would be really great to see one of the old school dudes win it."

Brooke Hogan

"I'm rooting for the youngest driver to start in the Daytona 500, Joey Logano. I wish him the best of luck!"

John Ondrasik

"Carl Edwards. Carl has certainly proven his ability to drive over the last few years and Daytona International Speedway has been good to him with his three top 10 finishes in his last thre races. With all the hard work he puts in, I have a hunch this might just be his year in the 500."

Donnie Wahlberg

"Kevin Harvick is my pick."

Buddy Baker

"Kyle Busch. He is the modern day road warrior and has a unique way of driving plate races. He's good anywhere, but I've noticed he always ends up at the front of the field because of his aggressive driving. It's either checkers or wreckers with him. But you know, I could be wrong!"

Rodney Atkins

"My prediction for winning the Daytona 500 is whoever crosses the finish line first. My second guess is Dale, Jr. He was leading the race last year for a while and is overdue for a win."

TobyMac

"I'm a fan of Joe Gibbs Racing. He has won the Super Bowl and Daytona. It's close all with all drivers but I'm going with Denny Hamlin."

Natalie Coughlin

"Jeff Gordon because we're from the same hometown of Vallejo!"

Holly Madison

"Dale Earnhardt Jr. It's been a long time since he's won a Sprint Cup race and I think he's due."

Landon Donovan

"Since Jimmie Johnson has won the championship the last five years, I'm going with Jimmie!"

Nick Fairley

"Jeff Gordon to win. Jeff has had a winning drought for the last 65 races, has a new crew chief and I'm told he's pumped about the chemistry of his team. Chemistry is what got Auburn through a perfect season and my teammates and me to 2011 BCS National Champions!"

Chickenfoot

"Based off of last year's performance, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that - we'll go with Jimmie Johnson, thanks."

The Gracious Few

"The start of each NASCAR season is always a rush as the "superbowl" of racing is the very first race! The Gracious Few are huge fans of Tony Stewart and his salt-of-the-earth racing style. After the checkered flag drops, The Gracious Few predict he'll be celebrating in victory lane!"

Gary Dell'Abate

"Tony Stewart. He's not only a friend but also a colleague at Sirius"

Reggie Bush

"Kasey Kahne and Team Red Bull USA are going to have a big year and they are going to kick it off right off that bat at Daytona!"

Cowboy Troy

"For the Daytona 500 I want Tony Stewart to win because he's my favorite driver. However, I feel that Kevin Harvick will be the winner considering the way last season ended. Harvick will have a chip on his shoulder."

Marc Blucas

"I'm going darkhorse with Dale Jr!"

Hines Ward

"Jimmie Johnson because he is a true Champion. You can't disregard the champion of last season. I look for him to start the season off where he left off."

Stephen Jackson

"Denny Hamlin. He sits courtside and he's coming off a great year"

Chris Jericho

" No. 99- Carl Edwards. He finished 2010 as one of the strongest drivers, and I think the momentum is his for a win at Daytona."

Janet Evanovich

I think Junior will win. He's over due for good juju.

Holt McCallany

"I'm picking Jeff Gordon. He's won it three times. I think this is number four!."

JJ Redick

"Jimmie Johnson. My pick is always Jimmie Johnson."

James Farrior

"Denny Hamlin because he is from my hometown of Ettrick, Va."

Matt Spaeth

"Denny Hamlin. I just think he is the best driver right now."

Paul Silas

"Elliott Sadler. He's fast and tough"

Gerald Wallace

"Tony Stewart. We've got Alabama ties since he's a sheriff's deputy in Fayette County.

Brett Keisel

"Whoever has the number 99 since it's my number, which is Carl Edwards."

Jason Arnott

"Jimmie Johnson, because he's awesome. Five Sprint Cups in a row -- you can't go against those odds."

Jeff Carter

"My pick obviously will be Kevin Harvick. He is a friend of mine and is a very solid pick seeing how he raced the last couple of years and his success in shootouts. Kevin is always up there in the big races. He battles hard and he is coming off a big year. Hopefully he will start the season off on the right foot with a win."

Colin White

"Tony Stewart, obviously. I just like his attitude and the way he drives. I've watched him for a few years now and my little guy's into it with me. I like Smoke. He doesn't take anything from anyone."

Kari Lehtonen

"Denny Hamlin. When I was in Atlanta he gave me and a few friends passes to check out the garage and his cars. Good guy, I want to see him do well."

Brad Richardson

"Even though I am from Canada, and I should pick a Canadian, I play in LA now so I will go with a California guy, Jimmie Johnson.

Wade Belak

"I'm going with Jimmie Johnson. Not only is he the five-time defending champion, but he finished the season well and will build off that. The change in pit crew the last couple races of last season gave him an advantage, and them working with Chad Knaus will put his team over the top."

Ryan Suter

"Tony Stewart is going to win it this year. He typically runs well at Daytona, and I see him bouncing back after a down 2010 season."

Ryan Dungey

"There's a long list of guys that can win the Daytona 500, but I'm going to have to put my money on Jimmie Johnson. He's a five-time champion and you can never count out the champ. Besides, he's a former amateur motocross rider. I will be watching the race on the TV with my pops."

Tim Morehouse

"Kasey Kahne, since it's a restrictor plate race, it will be wide open, and I love the way he drives. Kasey also does well on superspeedways. And most importantly, I met the guy who designs his steering boxes, and I was impressed."

Betsy King

"Jimmie Johnson is my pick. He continues to demonstrate that he is the best driver in the sport."

Mike Quick

"I'll take Carl Edwards. He finished strong last season and is driving for the right team at Daytona. Oh, and the right car a Ford."

Todd Hoffman

"Like my friend James Harness said, my money is on Jeff Gordon. If there's one thing he and his crew do right, its pull together and work like a well oiled machine. Teamwork and faith in each other make it a winning situation."

James Harness

"My gut feeling is to go with Jeff Gordon. Between his determined crew, the new track, and the teamwork and faith these guys have, it already makes them winners in my book! Then you add in Jeff's cat like reflexes, and stubborn streak -- I know he wants this one bad. 'Chevrolet:' it's more than a car, it's a way of thinking. The perfect combination of man and machine."

Jarret Johnson

"Elliott Sadler. He's had a streaky career and has come on strong. He's a good guy, and I think this is his year."

John Gilmore

"88 that's who I'm pulling for. Dale Earnhardt. Can't go wrong with him. He is due to win and has a great team behind him."

Larry Ziegler

I really like Tony Stewart, but I am going to have to go with Jeff Gordon as my pick to win the 2011 Daytona 500. With his new crew chief in place, I think Jeff has a great chance to break his winless streak!

David Wright

"Carl Edwards because he does back flips off his car and is a fellow Vitamin Water guy."

Carmelo Anthony

"Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Jason Aldean

"Dale Earnhardt Jr. - When it comes to restrictor plate races, Dale always seems to find his way to the front of the pack."

Jalen Rose

"It's time to bring back the glory. Jeff Gordon epitomizes greatness and dominance in stock car racing."

John Cena

"Carl Edwards is a big race driver and this is No. 99's year to take the checkered flag at the Daytona 500. He knows what it takes to get the job done, so watch out for Carl at Daytona."

Josh Kelley

"I've seen Days of Thunder 300 times and Cole Trickle wins every single time! just kidding - my favorite driver is #99 Carl Edwards - just when you think he doesn't have it he turns it up to 11 and makes magic happen. I think most of the drivers are going to be all jacked up for the biggest race of the year which will result in uncalculated risks creating smoky wrecks and leaving the audience to see my boy Carl Edwards glide through the fog on his way to victory."

Kelly Hansen

"Carl Edwards- he is such a great guy, very sincere. And he really hears me when I say to him... Just go fast!"

The Band 12 Stones

"We are picking Kevin Harvick to win the Daytona 500... he has won twice in the last five years, and had a very strong 2010 season. He seems primed to make another run at the Sprint Cup Championship in 2011, and what better way to start than the super bowl of racing? "