SI.com's B. Duane Cross addressed three issues:

1	Who will win the Daytona 500?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jamie Squire/Getty Images Dale Earnhardt Jr. Next question. Why Little E? One thing separates Junior from the pack -- not to mention his teammates, Michael Waltrip and Steve Park: He will not get hung out to dry by taking the wrong line at Daytona International Speedway. While all three will have DEI engines -- the best restrictor-plate motors in stock car racing -- Earnhardt Jr. dominates Talladega and has damn-near tamed Daytona, the two plate-racing tracks. Little E. knows what Daytona stands for; he saw his dad win everything under the sun at the famed 2 1/2-mile track. He also appreciates what a victory in the Great American Race means, as do all the drivers. But what separates Junior from the crowd is that he has the chance to put that win in his pocket and get on with the business of racing for Cup championships.

2	Who will win the Winston Cup title?

Ryan Newman Chris Stanford/Getty Images A Hoosier: Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman or defending champ Tony Stewart. And it won’t be a nail-biter, either. Gordon? How will he handle his ongoing divorce proceedings? Stewart? How will he handle the increased media scrutiny, if that’s possible? Newman? He’s the one to watch. Fourteen top-five finishes in 2002 were just the tip of the iceberg. Newman and teammate Rusty Wallace will be a potent one-two punch for Penske in their new Dodges. Wallace did not have a DNF last season and will push for his second champsionship. Other drivers who will challenge for the title: Jeff Burton, Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth. Drivers who could mix it up if everything goes their way: Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson and Bobby Labonte.

3	Who should be the Cup series' sponsor?

Mark Martin Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images Now that R.J. Reynolds and NASCAR are discussing separation plans, EA Sports should jump at the opportunity to fill the void. Already owning the top video football game, Madden, EA Sports upped the ante on NASCAR Thunder 2003 by adding more detail to the career mode by allowing pit crew members to make mistakes, hiring and firing team members and enhanced set-ups. If only EA Sports could find a way to finagle Budweiser, Coors and Miller so that Dale Earnhardt Jr., Sterling Marlin and Rusty Wallace fans could drive the Nos. 40, 8, and 2 cars without looking dorky. "Sterling," "Dale Jr." and "Rusty" just don't cut it with hardcore gamers. And what about Viagra? Stand up, EA Sports. NASCAR needs you -- and so do the fans.

 

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