ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:34 PM)

Alright folks, the start of the big race is right around the corner. But before the Daytona 500 revs up join Mark Garrow for a NASCAR fantasy chat starting at 11 a.m. ET! Enjoy the race!

Mark Garrow

  (10:56 AM)

Good morning everyone..we just got done patrolling the garage area we've talked to the crew chiefs of Jeff Gordon, Michael Waltrip, Reed Sorenson, Paul Menard, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Martin Truex, Jr., and Greg Biffle. We also still have a pit reporter in the garage gathering information. So...let the fun begin!

Cullen (USA)

hello

Mark Garrow

  (10:57 AM)

Good morning..

david (miami fl.)

what time does 50th start? thx.

Mark Garrow

  (10:57 AM)

It will start around 3:30 this afternoon.

kevin (wisconsin)

they should just give earnhart jr. the championship sunday!

Mark Garrow

  (10:58 AM)

Kevin, you're being a little cynical aren't we for the first race of the season..lol...Junior is really good but there are five to six other guys who have just as good shot today...and no you can't award the championship after the first race...just in case you were wondering..lol.

dan (vermont)

do you see micheal waltrip being a factor in now restricter plate races?

Mark Garrow

  (11:01 AM)

I had a long talk with his crew chief Paul Andrews this morning...he felt they were in pretty good shape..and Waltrip is one of the best restrictor plate racers out there. Hasn't done much any other type of track but here and Talladega he's good. The other thing he's got today is horsepower to spare. Everyone in the garage believes the Toyota's are cranking the most ponys..I don't see Waltrip winning but going top-10 would not be a shocker.

david (miami fl.)

i'll be here @ 1130 just wanted 2 no when race starts?

Mark Garrow

  (11:02 AM)

Again, should get underway sometime just after 3:30..

Justin (West Hartford, CT)

Hey Mark! I got Gilliland for plate races, but should I start him today over Reed Sorenson who is in row 3 (Kenseth, Ky. Busch, and Mears already in my lineup)??? We get some minimal points for starting position.

Mark Garrow

  (11:04 AM)

I like Sorenson more than I do Gilliland today. I talked with his crew chif Jimmy Elledge this morning and he believes they are a "sleeper" today..This is the final year of Sorenson's contract with Chip Ganassi so he's going to be auditioning for a new deal with him or a new car owner all season and Sorenson has driven hard and smart so far in Speedweek 08..I don't expect that to change today..By the way Elledge ranked the Ganassi cars Sorenson and Montoyoa and then a drop-off to Franchitti who's only job today is to finish the race.

Heath (Laurel, Ms)

do the dodge boys have a chance today, they looked very good in the shootouts

Mark Garrow

  (11:08 AM)

I think a few of them do..I think Newman and Sorenson have looked the best among the Dodge boys although Kurt Busch's crew chief Pat Tryson told us this morning he and Newman were equal very little difference in the two boys from the Penske posse...Kahne could sneak a top-10 today..but feels more like a top-15 driver today..Montoya if he stays out of trouble could also be top-15 potential...The one Dodge guy that's hard to get a read on is Bobby Labonte..He's a good little restrictor plate driver but hasn't exactly set the world on fire this week.

Hans Becker (Dubuque, IA)

Hi Mark, how do you see Jeff Gordon doing today?

Mark Garrow

  (11:09 AM)

I think he's got a real shot to win. I spent quite of bit of time with his crew chief Steve Letarte this morning. He said that Jeff and Junior had the best Hendrick cars with Johnson just a tick off of them. 48 made some changes this morning to close that gap. Mears is really strong, but Letarte felt he still lacked the experience to win. Gordon nearly won the 150 without any help maybe two to three other guys in the garage could pull that off.

Randy (Scottsbluff, NE)

I'm trying to decide between Waltrip and Kvapil for my fantasy team. Waltrip is so "hit and miss" and I remember hearing about Kvapil this week..... Who should I pick?

Mark Garrow

  (11:11 AM)

At any other track this might be a coin flip especially the way Waltrip ran last year..but he's got a fast car and can flat get it done at Daytona..What's Kvapil ever done here? Also a Toyota engine against a Ford right now...no contest..

George (New York)

With the Hendrick cars looking real strong this whole week. Do you see one of them winning the 500 today.

Mark Garrow

  (11:12 AM)

Yes I do...I think 24,88,48 can win..5 is strong but he can't beat his teammates..toughest competition will come from 18,20,11..Hendrick vs Gibbs..I think that's the way its going to be a lot in the early season if not all year.

George (New York)

Who should I start today. Ragan,Vickers, or Blaney

Mark Garrow

  (11:14 AM)

All three of these guys should have a decent 500. I'm going to lean towards Blaney. A number of people are talking in the garage he has a lot more strength than he's shown so far..Vickers and Red Bull are going to play conservative..They need to just finish so they can get a start on making the top-35 cut after the fifth race..Ragan will surprise some people today. I've watched him a lot this week and liked what I saw. But given how Blaney ran at Talladega last fall and the flashes he's shown this week. I'd go with him.

Heath (Laurel, Ms)

who's a darkhore to win the race

Mark Garrow

  (11:16 AM)

I don't know if you'd call him a darkhorse but no one is really giving Kyle Busch enough respect..so I'd call him a darkhorse contender..Newman could fit that category maybe as well.

Andrew ((NJ))

Why is everyone forgetting about JJ? He is the two time defending series champ and he has won the big one before. He is also on the pole. Why isn't anyone showing him some love?

Mark Garrow

  (11:17 AM)

He can win there's no question about that. I talked to his spotter Stevie Reeves this morning and he felt they could have won their 150 if they had really needed or wanted to. Felt like they were every bit as good as 88 and 24.

ernekk (CA)

Hi Mark. Great to see you doing a chat! What about the choice between Waltrip and Sorenson?

Mark Garrow

  (11:18 AM)

That's a little tougher choice today than normal. Sorenson has been rock solid here all week. Michael Waltrip, though, has won the 500 and has the Toyota horsepower so I give him a slight advantage..but I expect Sorenson to shine today I really do.

Kyle Virginia

Should I pick up Blaney and drop Yeley for the bench or leave my team as it is?

Mark Garrow

  (11:19 AM)

By all means drop Yeley..Blaney or him..not even close in my opinion.

Joe Sioux City IA

Would you go with Martin or Sorenson?

Mark Garrow

  (11:21 AM)

I'd lean towads Mark Martin on that one. Nearly won last year and has been solid all week. DEI has a problem and its the same with RCR..they build engines together and they are down horsepower to Hendrick and Toyota..that will make it difficult for one of them to win today..but not a reason why Martin can't finish top-10...again I like Sorenson, but Martin's experience will serve him well today.

ernekk (CA)

Mark - You mentioned that you've done garage interviews. Are you putting up a separate audio link for that today, or will you be passing the info on in this chat only with no audio link?

Mark Garrow

  (11:22 AM)

Well you must be one of my old Fantasy Racing buddies to know I have done audio to go with that. ESPN is working to allow me to put up a Sunday podcast of my garage interviews. That is not in place this week..so this is it...but we are working on it.

nick (norfolk, va

hamlin or harvick? Whos your pick to finish better?

Mark Garrow

  (11:23 AM)

Wow..this is a toughie...Harvick has a knack here at Daytona..but he's down a little bit on horsepower and that will hurt. Hamlin did a great job in the 150 and has plenty of steam under the hood..Toyota over Chevy..I'm going with Hamlin.

ernekk (CA)

You mentioned Newman as a dark horse. What about Kurt Busch?

Mark Garrow

  (11:25 AM)

Again, his crew chief Pat Tryson believes he's as good as Newman, but I just haven't seen that this week..Kurt's a great driver, but I just don't have a good vibe for him today..

Brandon (Mifflinville, PA)

How do you think Joe Nemecheck will do today?

Mark Garrow

  (11:27 AM)

Nemechek has Hendrick horsepower and that's a big help..but he won't get much help today and one of the things that kills a guy like Nemechek is that his pit crew is just not up to the level of the top teams. If he's running up front he will lose spots everytime he comes down pit lane and at the of the race that will doom his chances.

George (New York)

Do you see as it is called "The Big One" occurring more than once in the race. Especially how loose the COT cars has been in practices and the Duels.

Mark Garrow

  (11:28 AM)

I can see some big crashes in this race especially towards the end..a lot of cars running the same speed ..and at the end when its all "take" and no "give" something "big" is going to happen.

Jeff (TN)

Would you go Blaney or Gilliand?

Mark Garrow

  (11:29 AM)

I'd go with Blaney..Gilliland is okay, but Blaney is better and more apt, in my opinion, to stay out of trouble or at least he won't go looking for it.

Logan (Piqua,OH)

Does Gordon have a shot at the Daytona 500?

Mark Garrow

  (11:30 AM)

Yes he does! I rate the guys who have the best chance to win today 88,24,18,20,48, and 11.

ernekk (CA)

Can I get by with the top 3 Hendrick drivers and Kyle Busch as the Gibbs driver - or am I blowing it by not getting Stewart in there?

Mark Garrow

  (11:32 AM)

According to Busch's crew chief he's the best of the Gibbs cars. He said the only time Kyle had to lift in the 150 miler was not to run someone over...that happened to him late and only reason 20 and 11 got around him..And it's not just his crew chief that says he's the best JGR car. Steve Letarte, Gordon's crew chief, told me the same thing. So, in other words, I think you're okay going the route you're going.

Tim Rad (Greenville, NC)

Do you think Robby Gordons Team is in a better or worse situation this season compared to last?

Mark Garrow

  (11:33 AM)

Tim, it's hard to say right now so soon after the switch from Ford to Dodge. I think in the long run it will be a much better deal but it may take a few races to fully "bloom".

nick (norfolk, va)

whos your top 6 today?

Mark Garrow

  (11:34 AM)

88,24,18,20,48,11..just about everybody agrees these guys are the best ..still it's a restrictor plate race so that doesn't mean the fastest cars will win.

Kyle Virginia

Thanks for earlier. I have another draft later and I have the third pick, who should I pick?

Mark Garrow

  (11:35 AM)

If 24 is gone go with 48,88,18 or 20.

Corey (New Orleans (Big Easy))

NASCAR IS BORING

Mark Garrow

  (11:36 AM)

Sorry Corey..hey that rhymes..you missed the boat on that one...

George (New York)

How do you think the open wheel drivers will do this year in Nascar. Will any do as well as Montoya did last season.

Mark Garrow

  (11:38 AM)

I really don't think so..Villeneuve is already in danger of not running races because of the lack of sponsorship...Carpentier looks like he's going to "get it"..I was impressed with the way he ran in his qualifying race..Franchitti is the real deal too..It will just take some time..but none of these guys will do what Montoya did last season.

Tim Rad (Greenville, NC)

Is there a conspiracy theory concerning Nascar doing whatever it takes to get Dale Jr. back into Victory Lane, being he is by far its most popular driver?

Mark Garrow

  (11:39 AM)

Tim..there are no black helicopters circling the track today..okay..Junior can't win this arguement...if he wins today everyone is going to say NASCAR handed it to him and there's no way they can or would do that..It just can't happen.

George (New York)

Do you see Jr. making the chase and does he have a good chance of winning the championship. If not where do you see him finishing.

Mark Garrow

  (11:41 AM)

George, I see big things for Junior this year. He is an underrated driver now driving for the best team in the garage. I see three to five wins and a spot in the Chase. Can he win the championship? Hard to say, but he'll have a shot..I see him making the Chase easy, but I don't see him taking the title although I wouldn't mind him proving me wrong.

George (New York)

How will Toyota fair on the 1.5 and 2 mile tracks. Will they struggle at all.

Mark Garrow

  (11:42 AM)

I think Toyota is going to be bad to the bone wherever we go this year. Gibbs had a great test at Vegas and California. As long as Toyota has Gibbs they have a shot to win the race everytime they take the green. Their horsepower is unreal.

Randy, Nebraka

Put these guys in order. Blaney, Newman and Mears. Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (11:44 AM)

Mears, Newman, Blaney..Mears has a car every bit as good as Hendrick teammates..just doesn't have the experience to win with it..Has enough experience though to fight for a top-10 along with Newman and Blaney.

Tim Rad (Greenville, NC)

Who do you think will have a better season David Ragan or Travis Kvapil?

Mark Garrow

  (11:45 AM)

I think David Ragan will. His Roush Fenway team has more experience and depth than Kvapil and Doug Yates. Plus, you take a lot at the way Ragan ran late last season and he was beginning to really get it together. He's also been pretty steady down here this week.

Jason (NE)

Who looks stronger today Newman or Martin?

Mark Garrow

  (11:46 AM)

I honestly look at this one as almost a toss-up..I don't know if its my heart or brain but I'd probably lean towards Martin, who nearly won this race last year and seems to be the best of the DEI cars.

ernekk (CA)

I'm jumping ahead - do you think that the favorite for California next week is the 48, followed (or equal) to the 24 - top 2?

Mark Garrow

  (11:51 AM)

I think next week at California 48 will be tough so will 20,18..just off of them a little bit and I mean a little bit 88 and 11..I also think the Roush Fords will show some muscle next week with Kenseth and Edwards..I base that on what I saw at the Vegas and Fontana tests.

nick(norfolk,va)

regan,kenny wallace,hornish,jarrett,menard,andretti,vickers,robby gordon,riggs,smithgilliland,mayfield ,blaney. your opinion if you had to take 2 then which 2?

Mark Garrow

  (11:52 AM)

In this group I'd probably go with Blaney and Jarrett..Both have Toyota horsepower and both have show flashes this week they can hang with the main pack.

George (New York)

Why are races starting later and later every year. I can remember them starting early in the afternoons, but now they're staring late afternoons. Why?

Mark Garrow

  (11:53 AM)

That's been a big complaint lately. It's why NASCAR has already said that 18 of the 36 races will start at 2:00 eastern, which is better than a year ago. Biggest thing I'm told that later start allows TV to go from the race..segway if you will into some of the prime time programming.

Tim Rad (Greenville, NC)

Could you see all 3 Gibbs Toyotas completely dominating the season?

Mark Garrow

  (11:55 AM)

I think all three of the JGR drivers are going to have big years..good cars with lots of horsepower with three guys who have already shown they can win..Again, I think its Hendrick against Gibbs all seasoon long and because so many fans don't like the idea of Toyota running the Sprint Cup Series...Hendrick might end up wearing the white hat instead of the black one trying to hold off the Toyota onslaught.

Dave (Buffalo, NY)

Will DEI make any noise at Daytona?

Mark Garrow

  (11:56 AM)

I think Mark Martin and Martin Truex, Jr. have a chance to run decent..but forget about Regan Smith or Paul Menard doing much. DEI-RCR engines a little off what Hendrick and the Toyotas have.

nick(norfol,va)

hey thanks for your opinions, appreciate it!

Mark Garrow

  (11:57 AM)

Glad you liked it..we'll be doing this every week on raceday.

ernekk (CA)

You left the 24 out of your early CA race top drivers. Reason??

Mark Garrow

  (11:57 AM)

just missed it..24 will be good too.

Mark Garrow

  (11:58 AM)

I'm going to now give you some of insight from some of the crew chiefs I talked with today..First Jimmy Elledge crew chief of Reed Sorenson..Said he like his car ranked Ganassi cars 41,42, 40..Said his favorites to win 88,24,48,20,11,18..darkhorses 55,22, and 44..thought the Roush cars looked unstable.

Mark Garrow

  (12:00 PM)

Steve Addington crew chief of Kyle Busch..thought they were the best of the Gibbs bunch ..ranked them 18,20,11..thought all four of the Hendrick cars would be tough to deal with today..thought Newman and Sorenson would surprise some people today.

Mark Garrow

  (12:01 PM)

Paul Andrews - crew chief Michael Waltrip..Said they were the best of their three car team with Jarrett and Reutimann rated a toss-up..worried about right rear tire abuse..He picked the Hendrick and Gibbs guys to beat too..but also said he thought Harvick will make some noise.

Mark Garrow

  (12:02 PM)

Steve Letarte..Jeff Gordon's crew chief..rated the Hendrick gang as 24 and 88 a toss-up number one..just behind them 48 and said Mears was really strong but lacked experience to make it all pay off like 88,24, and 48 can..dark horses 55, 8, and Truex.

Mark Garrow

  (12:03 PM)

Todd Berrier - crew chief Kevin Harvick..he thought the best cars were 20,18,12,00, 88,24,48..dark horses 41,22..as far as the RCR cars he ranked them like this ..29,31,07

Mark Garrow

  (12:04 PM)

Kevin "Bono" Manion crew chief for Martin Tuex, Jr...Says that Truex and Mark Martin at least top-10 capable..thought the 8 at times as shown a little more speed...Favorites..88,20,18,11..says the 88 can do what other Hendrick cars can't.

Mark Garrow

  (12:06 PM)

Greg Irwin - crew chief Greg Biffle..Ranks the Roush gang like this..16,99.6..said 17 and26 not so happy..Said he and Biffle found some more speed in Happy Hour..very good in draft and no changes this morning...

ernekk (CA)

You're insights are invaluable, Mark. You make any fantasy game that you are contributing to the BEST fantasy game anywhere.

Mark Garrow

  (12:06 PM)

thanks....appreicate your thought.

Kyle (Virginia)

Should i start #22 or #41?

Mark Garrow

  (12:07 PM)

Man that is a tough one..a really, really tough call..I want to say Blaney, but Sorenson has been so dog gone steady here all week..I'll lean to Sorenson.

Tim Rad (Greenville, NC)

Brian Vickers showed moments of brilliance last year which includes his early run at Charlotte before he had problems, do you see him as a threat this year?

Mark Garrow

  (12:08 PM)

I think that team will get better, but he's going to do a lot of "riding" today. Remember they are out of the top-35 in points and he needs to be there when they go to 2008 points after the fifth race. They are going to be extra careful, worrying more about finishing than finishing up front.

Donny (Dallas)

Big sports fan, but just getting into auto racing. What should I be watching for today?

Mark Garrow

  (12:09 PM)

Great to have a new fan Donny..Look for a really tight race today..probably one or two really big crashes, which we've nicknamed as the "Big One"...race should then come down to a Henrick or Gibbs driver..should be a great race to watch.

heath (laurel, ms)

what will the temp be today and how much is this causing crew chief headaches?

Mark Garrow

  (12:10 PM)

It's going to be a little warmer at the start of the race than earlier this week and most crew chiefs adjusting for that..can't go to far, however, because this deal will end under the lights and the track will be cooling down bigtime..it will have more grip and could make the ending wild.

George (New York)

Alot of tires were showing threads on a 30-35 lap run. Is there reason to be concerned on the drivers and crew chiefs today.

Mark Garrow

  (12:12 PM)

Everyone's a little concerned about the right side tires especialliy the right rear. A driver can really tell when the right front is going away, but harder to "feel" right rear until its too late..adding to the problem, these cars are really leaning on the right rear to get around the corners..a driver has to be aware of that and try to minimize how hard he runs off the right rear tire.

Brady (Colorado)

Who plays fantasy NASCAR?

Mark Garrow

  (12:12 PM)

hopefully everyone...

Mark Garrow

  (12:14 PM)

Okay folks that's going to do it for me. I hope I helped and remember we will do this each and every week before every Sprint Cup Series race...good luck today and may the "force" be with you...also don't forget we'll do Fantasy chats during the week I believe on Wednesday if not that day Thursday..but I'm pretty sure its each Wednesday..Chat again soon..from Daytona..Mark Garrow..out.