NASCAR Rookies Make a Statement at Daytona

Daytona Rookies are not the bane of NASCAR veterans existence as they had been in years past. Although some rookies have done well in the Daytona 500 in the past, they were left out to dry by the veterans who chose to hook up and draft with more experienced drivers to make their way to the front.

With new pavement, new tires and new cars, several veterans are choosing rookies as drafting partners. In the first Gatorade Duel 150 held on Thursday, Jeff Gordon not only teamed with rookie driver Trevor Bayne, but also paired his Chevy up with Bayne's Wood Brothers Ford. The result was a combination that could drive to the front and hold their own against Ford, Chevy and Toyota multi-car teams.

In the second Gatorade Duel 150, Brad Keselowski spun mid-race when Todd Bodine bump drafted too hard turning the Blue Deuce down into the infield. The #2 was able to keep his car off the wall and without damage except for a rear quarter panel smashed in by Bodine. On the restart, Keselowski actually dropped back in the field passing up more experienced drafting partners for his older brother and Daytona rookie Brian Keselowski in the unsponsored #92 Dodge.

Brotherly love may be one thing, but a good starting position in the Daytona 500 can keep a driver out of trouble in the opening laps when the green flag flies. The #2 and #92 hooked up and made their way forward. At one point the elder Keselowski almost took the lead driving an old Evernham car that was built in 2006.

Two by two is the way to race the new configuration at Daytona. That does not ensure that a pairing will run to the front. As the Duel races showed, the multi-car teams still had an advantage. Both Keselowski and Gordon proved that there were rookies in the field who were capable of competing and running up front.

This may change the dynamics of the Daytona 500 when Sunday rolls in. As attrition ends the race for typically good cars or as typically good drivers find themselves in the back, they may choose to draft with the unproven rookies to make their way to the front instead of bringing another car who they know for sure may be able to contend for the win and championship points throughout the season.