Daytona 500 Celebrity Picks

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 21, 2007

Daytona 500 Celebrity Picks

I have to go with a sentimental favorite and a driver long overdue for the big win: Bobby Labonte. - Lance Armstrong

I think my husband is going to win. -Ingrid Vandebosch, Jeff Gordon's wife

I'll go with Kasey Kahne because he is the local boy from Seattle. - Matt Hasselbeck Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

How can I go with anybody but Jimmie Johnson? He has the same name as me. - Jimmy Johnson, NFL & College Football Championship Coach / FOX Analyst

Jimmie Johnson has the most momentum in American sports after Tiger and Federer. - Mario Batali, Celebrity Chef and NASCAR cookbook author

I think Jeff Gordon will win. He's been really consistent over the years and he's always been one of the Top-10 racers-and I think he's going to pull it off. - Jonathan Vilma Linebacker, New York Jets

I'm picking Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and would like to go to his club! - Julia Mancuso, Olympic alpine skiing gold medalist

My colleagues and I recently had the pleasure of welcoming Jimmie Johnson to the Capitol to congratulate him on his success as NASCAR Champion. He is a gifted athlete, a great ambassador for the sport of NASCAR, and my pick to win the Daytona 500. - Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House

Dale Jr. has a great chance and so do Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. But I think it's going to be an RCR car. So I'm going to flip between Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick. OK, I'm going to go with Harvick. - Ned Yost Manager, Milwaukee Brewers, who wears the #3 in tribute to his friend Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Because he's a fierce competitor that hates to lose and I can relate to that. - Gerald Wallace Forward, Charlotte Bobcats

Kurt Busch I've been following him since I moved to Charlotte and I've also had the chance to meet him and think he's in it for all the right reasons. He's all about winning. - Adam Morrison Forward, Charlotte Bobcats

Jimmie Johnson I know that he lives here in Charlotte and I see him at our games. He won the Cup last year, so I know he has skills. - Raymond Felton Guard, Charlotte Bobcats

Jimmie Johnson is the man. - Chris Wilcox Forward, Seattle SuperSonics

Jeff Gordon is my man. He is always driving at the top of his game. I see Jeff adding another Daytona trophy to his HUGE trophy case. - Steve Harvey, host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Steve Harvey Morning Show

I think Jimmie Johnson will win the Daytona 500 because he's the man. - Desmond Howard, Superbowl XXXI MVP and 1991 Heisman Trophy Winner

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Dale's son holds a special place in all our hearts. - Tobin Bell, Actor in Saw.

I have been watching Jeff Gordon race for a while, and I know what he can do in a race car. He doesn't like to lose and he knows what it takes to win. He is a great competitor. I think 24 will fly at the Daytona 500. - Ryan Lochte, a two-time Olympic medalist, having won a gold and silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The four-time Nextel Cup champion likes Daytona, and Daytona likes him. - George Pyne President, Sports and Entertainment, IMG Former NASCAR CEO

Jimmie Johnson: He follows our program and comes to games now and then, and his wife is a Sooner. - Bob Stoops, head football coach, University of Oklahoma

The only Daytona 500 I went to, Sterling Marlin was the winner and he won in the Kodak car. I always liked him as a driver and he's going to win this year! - Keith Hernandez, Former New York Mets first baseman and current Mets broadcaster

I pull for Jeff Gordon because he is a San Francisco 49ers fan and I am showing him the same support he showed the 49ers. - Dwight Clark, Former San Francisco 49ers receiver, Famous for "The Catch"

The obvious pick would be Jimmie Johnson, but since Darian Grubb left his crew, I think that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a real good pick. I know that Dale Jr. is going through some negotiations right now, but I believe those things will get worked out and he will rise to the occasion. - Michael Barrett Catcher, Chicago Cubs

Jeff Gordon will win the Great American race and be back on top in 07. - Nicole Vaidisova, #5 in the 2007 WTA Tour

Tony Stewart is going to win. He's a great driver and has invited me to come check out a race this year. - Gary Dell'Abate, producer of the Howard Stern Show

This is Jeff Gordon's year. He's got a great crew, and knows how to get it done on the race track. Look for him to win at Daytona and be the favorite for the Nextel Cup this year. - John Hannah, Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive linemen for the New England Patriots and All-American at the University of Alabama

I'm picking Jr. to win. I want to see this because of all the things that will go on outside of the car. - Jamal Anderson, former NFL rushing leader with Atlanta Falcons

Kasey Kahne will win because his tactics are increasingly cunning. - Gavin DeGraw, recording artist

As a native of Daytona Beach, I'm always excited to see a safe and entertaining race that will make sports fans want to return to Daytona year after year. Of course, I'm going with Mark Martin, a resident of Daytona Beach. - Vince Carter Guard-Forward, New Jersey Nets

Tony Stewart will win the Daytona 500 -- he does extremely well under pressure. And even though he didn't make it into the Chase last season, the number 20 Home Depot team did an outstanding job in the pits. - Cowboy Troy, Warner Bros. recording artist

I personally think that Sterling Marlin is going to be the man to beat at the "Daytona 500" this year. Simply said, he is going to win it!!Sterling knows how to live life like he's got nothing to lose. He's got a real heavy foot, the heart of a warrior and he loves to have fun. Don't hurt a thing that he's driving a Chevy and he's proven over again he knows how to win on this track. And that's why my friend Sterling is gonna win the "Daytona 500. - Big Kenny of "Big and Rich" Grammy Nominated Country Duo

I am going with Tony Raines to win this year's Daytona 500 because of the great team owners he drives for and because my guitar tech knows his crew chief. -Brad Paisley, Country Music star (2006 CMA Album of the Year -- "Time Well Wasted")

I am just learning about NASCAR. I am picking Tony Raines to win the Daytona 500 because my husband's (Brad Paisley) guitar tech knows his crew chief. -Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Actress (ABC's According to Jim)

I have a very confident feeling about Carl Edwards winning the Daytona 500 this year. Towards the later half of the 2006 season, he started to turn into the Carl we all know and love.. His profile is going up as a celebrity, along with his talent and confidence, and I think he is finally comfortable with being a huge star. - Josh Kelley, Threshold Records recording artist

Tony Stewart is going to win because he is the best professional driver out there. He can drive any car on any track, period. My second pick is Michael Waltrip in the new Toyota. -Tommy John, Former New York Yankees Pitcher

I'm picking Carl Edwards, because he is great, plus whenever he wins, he does a backflip off his car. - Bart Conner, Olympic gold medalist

I just did a commercial with Michael (Waltrip) and he's #55 ---need I say more? I am also a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fan and I think he really has what it takes to win at Daytona. -Sammy Hagar, rock and roll legend

I thought all the freaks, misfits, and outcasts lived in the Rock and Roll world, but after the great time we had when NASCAR came to New York in the fall, I know they're alive and well in racing world as well. And while I can't predict who will win Daytona, I have a special place in my heart for the Richard Childress Racing Team. - Steven Van Zandt, actor, rock and roll legend

Clint Bowyer will win. Those other guys, Dale and Jeff - they know what they gotta do if they think their kneecaps are helpful in their careers. - Steve Schirripa, actor (Bobby Bacalla on The Sopranos)

Casey Mears has a new team, new car, a winning crew chief and something to prove. He will win it. - Gilbert Arenas All-Star Guard, Washington Wizards

Jimmie Johnson knows the race and how to win it. Plus he has the best record and consistently finishes on top., which is where he will wind up next Sunday. - Caron Butler All-Star Forward, Washington Wizards

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Is in the last year of his contract and he wants ownership in DEI. With that kind of motivation, he's my pick. -Antawn JamisonForward, Washington Wizards

My pick is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -- my favorite driver. Dale Jr. said that his favorite track all season was Daytona. He has won there before, and a good way to start 2007 is with a win there! - Natalie Gulbis, LPGA

Daytona pick? Jimmie Johnson. The bikes not broke and nobodies fixing it. (Welcome back Ricky Rudd, the sport could always use another gentleman on the track, and a 'hell of a' race car driver!) - William Fichtner, Actor

This is Dale Earnhardt's year. He's had success at this track many times and is motivated. It certainly helps that he is in the final year of his contract. - Scottie Pippen, Former Chicago Bulls Forward-Guard

Looking at years past, I like the DEI cars, mainly now, Dale Jr. I also like the Hendrick teams, mainly Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. But you can never count out Tony Stewart with the way he finished up last year. If I were going to pick one for Daytona, it would be Junior. With all that's going on with him at DEI, he will try to make a statement. - David Akers Kicker, Philadelphia Eagles

Daytona 500 Celebrity Picks

Daytona 500 Celebrity Picks

Latest News

Chelsea wastes 2-goal lead in draw with Sheffield United

Laporte injury mars Man City's win over Brighton

Kvitova makes quick work of Bencic, eases into Round of 16

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Preview, tee times, odds, picks

Raiders in discussions to trade Amari Cooper, Karl Joseph