Eight things next week's champ can and can't expect

The modest career of Derrike Cope, winner of the 1990 Daytona 500, proves winning the race is not a litmus test for greatness. John Raoux/AP

NASCAR does it backwards. Unlike most sports, stock car racing begins its season with its showcase event. Not only does next week's Daytona 500 kick off the season but it's also NASCAR's Super Bowl. Sort of a two-for-one deal.

Teams often prepare for the Daytona 500 like it is the only race that matters. Off-season development, testing and media hype are typically dominated by the Daytona 500 preparation angle -- even though there's no longer season in professional sports than the grueling 10-month, 36-race schedule.

Consequently, many are confused about the importance of the event. Even more puzzling is what happens to the winner. It's not easy when you win the first event and your season has nowhere to go but down. NASCAR, meanwhile, is asking for you to donate your car to its Daytona museum.

Here's a guide to what winning the Daytona 500 does and doesn't do for a driver.

Winning the Daytona 500 does not guarantee a driver will win the season title.

A victory in the Daytona 500 is the greatest possible single-day accomplishment in NASCAR. A championship, however, is won over the long haul. In fact, just eight times has the winner of the Daytona 500 won the Cup title the same year. And outside of guys named Petty and those who work for Hendrick Motorsports, just one driver has accomplished the feat.

Lee Petty was the first to double up in 1959, following up his win in the inaugural Daytona 500 with a Cup title. Lee's son, Richard Petty, raced four seasons in which he won both (1964, 1971, 1974, 1979). In 1977, Cale Yarborough won both the biggest race of the year and the season title.

The double has happened just twice since 1979, both times by a Hendrick driver: Jeff Gordon in 1997 and Jimmie Johnson in 2006.

Winning the Daytona 500 does mean that the length of the driver's name just doubled.

For the rest of their life, drivers can add "Daytona 500 Winner" before their given name. They will forever be introduced that way.

Winning the Daytona 500 does not mean you are a great driver. Even if you are a great driver, it means you had a good car and got lucky.

Ward Burton, Michael Waltrip and Sterling Marlin are all great guys. If you get a chance to drink a beer with them or go hunting with them, do it. The company will be great and it will be the time of your life. But these guys are not great drivers, even though they have all won the Daytona 500. Marlin even won it twice in a row. Derrike Cope became part of NASCAR folklore after winning the 1990 race thanks to Dale Earnhardt's blown tire with about a mile remaining.

Winning the Daytona 500 does mean more money. (For most drivers.)

Perhaps it won't change the tax bracket of a driver already established as a legend -- such as a Jeff Gordon approaching the end of his career -- but the bump can be considerable for most drivers. Daytona has the largest purse in NASCAR, and winning the race is sure to bring additional sponsorship and endorsement opportunities.

Winning the Daytona 500 does not even guarantee that a driver will finish in the top 10 in points.

Since 2000, just half of the eight Daytona 500 winners have finished in the top 10: Johnson, obviously, when he doubled up in 2006; Dale Jarrett when he finished fourth in the final 2000 standings; Dale Earnhardt Jr. when he finished seventh in 2004 and Kevin Harvick (10th in last year's event).

For most teams, winning the Daytona 500 does mean that their restrictor-plate program is in good shape.

While restrictor-plate races are usually high-profile events, there are only four of them during the season. The only other type of track less frequently run are road courses, with just two events throughout the year. Most important to winning a cup title is winning at intermediate tracks: the 1.5-mile ovals that dominate the circuit.

Winning the Daytona 500 does not guarantee a driver a spot in the Sprint for the Cup.

Three of four Daytona winners since the advent of the Chase format have made the playoffs. Gordon, winner of the Daytona 500 in 2005, failed to make the Chase that season. Last year, Daytona 500 winner Harvick made the Chase -- yet finished outside the top 10 when he ended up 11th in the final standings.

Winning the Daytona 500 does make you a celebrity.

The winner becomes an instant television star, complete with appearances on Leno and Letterman. His face gets plastered on the home page of racing Web sites, the front page of newspapers, the cover of magazines. Internet searches on his name increase. Even people who aren't NASCAR fans respect the accomplishment.