Daytona or Phoenix? Where is Dale Junior more likely to win?

   Daytona or Phoenix?

   Where does Dale Earnhardt Jr. think he is more likely to win? The answer could well surprise you.

   Earnhardt offered his opinion during Thursday's Media Day at Daytona International Speedway while discussing the uncertainty of how the racing will unfold the next two weeks at Daytona.

   "This weekend will be enjoyable but I am looking forward to going to Phoenix because I know I have better odds of winning there. I look forward to going to tracks where I’m driving the car, where I can make a difference. I don’t know what is going to happen in the Daytona 500, I don’t even have a clue what the race is going to be like now and that’s frustrating but that’s just the way it is," Earnhardt said.

   "We’ll go through Shootout practice tomorrow and get the chance to practice a little bit and see what works and doesn’t work. Then we’ll run the Shootout and really see some people play their hand and see what we’re capable of doing and after that race we’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect the rest of the week. Right now, I have no knowledge and it’s frustrating as a driver to go in a situation like that.

   "Everything we’re going to have to learn, we’re going to have to learn really fast in just a few hours of practice. Just waiting to get that going, waiting to get that practice started and see what kind of racing we are going to be doing.”

   For the record, Earnhardt has two career Sprint Cup wins at both tracks.

M. Waltrip gets Daytona 500 ride

   Add the Daytona 500 to Michael Waltrip's busy Speedweeks schedule.

   Hillman Racing and Aaron’s Inc. announced Monday two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will drive the No. 40 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota in the 2012 Daytona 500 for the organization. The race will mark Waltrip’s 75^th start at Daytona in one of NASCAR’s top three series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Trucks, the most of any driver.

   “Aaron’s really does make your dreams come true,” said Waltrip. “When I was a kid thinking about racing in Daytona I never dreamed I would start more NASCAR races there than anyone. That’s amazing.”

   Waltrip said it takes many factors for success.

   “You have to have a great sponsor to race and Aaron’s has been a great sponsor for a long time.” Waltrip said. “I appreciate what the folks at Hillman Racing including Joe Falk are putting together. Hopefully my experience at Daytona will help them get out of the gate strong with their new team.”

   Waltrip will race the No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota in the Feb. 18 Budweiser Shootout, oversee his three Cup teams at Michael Waltrip Racing and host several top executives from corporate America attending the races with the team. He will also continue his television work serving as a commentator for Speed's Truck series broadcasts and begin his new role as an analyst for the Fox NASCAR Sunday broadcasts, joining his brother and Hall of Fame member Darrell Waltrip.

2012 Budweiser Shootout entries

   Entries filed as of Monday for Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway:

   Car, driver, make
   No. 1, Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet
   No. 2, Brad Keselowski, Dodge
   No. 5, Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet
   No. 9, Marcos Ambrose, Ford
   No. 11, Denny Hamlin, Toyota
   No. 14, Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
   No. 15, Clint Bowyer, Toyota
   No. 16, Greg Biffle, Ford
   No. 17, Matt Kenseth, Ford
   No. 18, Kyle Busch, Toyota
   No. 20, Joey Logano, Toyota
   No. 22, A.J. Allmendinger, Dodge
   No. 24, Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
   No. 27, Paul Menard, Chevrolet
   No. 29, Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
   No. 31, Jeff Burton, Chevrolet
   No. 34, David Ragan, Ford
   No. 39, Ryan Newman, Chevrolet
   No. 42, Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet
   No. 48, Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
   No. 51, Kurt Busch, Chevrolet
   No. 55, Michael Waltrip, Toyota
   No. 56, Martin Truex Jr., Toyota
   No. 88, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet
   No. 99, Carl Edwards, Ford
 

RAB Racing suspends NASCAR driver John Wes Townley

   RAB Racing issued a statement on Friday saying it was replacing driver John Wes Townley until "his return is deemed appropriate" following Townley's arrest Tuesday for drunk driving in Georgia.

   You can read details of Townley's arrest here.

   "Obviously, this is an unfortunate situation," said team owner Robby Benton. "However, we have to react to the severity of the incident accordingly. His actions do not reflect those of RAB Racing, nor the sponsors associated with the team.

   "John Wes has accepted full responsibility, and will take the necessary personal steps in order to correct his actions, among other internal sanctions. We stand by John Wes, and will welcome him back to the team at the appropriate time."

   Townley was planning to run fulltime for RAB Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season.

   No replacement driver has been named at this time. 

   NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the sanctioning body has been in close communication with the team and will continue to monitor the situation until if - or when - the team decides to bring Townley back as its driver.

Lenny Kravitz to perform at the 2012 Daytona 500

   Rock superstar Lenny Kravitz will perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26.

   Kravitz, who has sold more than 35 million albums and is the only musician in history to win the Grammy for best male vocals in rock music four times consecutively, will perform three songs prior to the start of the 54th annual Daytona 500 – the season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

   Allfans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the Daytona 500 will be able to view Kravitz’s Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, as well as driver introductions, from the grass tri-oval area.

   "Lenny Kravitz is an iconic performer and multi-talented musician - he will deliver a rousing performance prior to the start of the 54^th Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Race fans will experience a first-class, heart-pounding pre-race show that will serve as the perfect prelude to what will be an historic and thrilling afternoon of NASCAR racing on the high banks of Daytona.”

   In addition to his Daytona 500 Pre-Race Concert, a special ticket package designed around Kravitz has been created that includes a Daytona 500 ticket, Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access and VIP area access to Kravitz’s performance. Packages start at $164.

   For more information on tickets for the 54th annual Daytona 500 and Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access, race fans can go online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Is Kurt Busch NASCAR's most disliked driver?

   The results of a Forbes poll of America's Most Disliked Athletes included one NASCAR driver - Kurt Busch came in at No. 10.

   NFL quarterback Michael Vick and golfer Tiger Woods tied at the top spot in the poll. About 60 percent of fans polled disliked Vick, but more people expressed a strong dislike for Vick compared to Woods.

   The survey was conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research. Scores were derived from the total percentage of fans that claim their view of an athlete is "dislike"; "dislike a lot" or "dislike somewhat." The field is limited to those registering at least 10% awareness with the general public.

   Busch's score came in at 42 percent.

   Since Busch was the only NASCAR driver to crack the poll, he unofficially picks up the title of NASCAR's most disliked driver. At least for the time being.

   To see more of the Forbes poll, go here.

NASCAR on Fox 2012 schedule

NASCAR on FOX 2012 Schedule

Date Track Event Coverage Begins

Sat. Feb. 18 Daytona Int’l Speedway Budweiser Shootout 8 PM

Sun. Feb. 19 Daytona Int’l Speedway Daytona 500 Qualifying 1 PM

Sun. Feb. 26 Daytona Int’l Speedway Daytona 500 Noon 

Sun. March 4 Phoenix Int’l Speedway Racing from Phoenix 2:30 PM

Sun. March 11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Racing from Las Vegas 2:30 PM

Sun. March 18 Bristol Motor Speedway Racing from Bristol 12:30 PM

Sun. March 25 Auto Club Speedway Racing from Fontana 2:30 PM

Sun. April 1 Martinsville Speedway Racing from Martinsville 12:30 PM

Sat. April 14 Texas Motor Speedway Racing from Fort Worth 7:00 PM

Sun. April 22 Kansas Speedway Racing from Kansas City 12:30 PM

Sat. April 28 Richmond Int’l Raceway Racing from Richmond 7:00 PM

Sun. May 6 Talladega Superspeedway Racing from Talladega 12:00 PM

Sat. May 12 Darlington Raceway Racing from Darlington 6:30 PM

Sun. May 27 Charlotte Motor Speedway Racing from Charlotte 5:30 PM

Sun. June 3 Dover Int’l Speedway Racing from Dover 12:30 PM

All times Eastern; Schedule subject to change