Some final thoughts before the start of the Daytona 500

There's been a lot of talk and discussion about whether Toyota can win the Daytona 500. One thing is for sure, they have a better chance than Ford.
There are more Toyotas in the Daytona 500 field than Fords. In that regard, Toyota has already surpassed at least of the traditional powers in NASCAR.
Perhaps the Nationwide Series race was an indication of how the Cup race will play out. Three of the top-four cars were Toyotas. But results in the Nationwide Series, formerly known as the Busch Series, do not always translate into Cup.
Toyota has won races in the Busch Series and now one in the Nationwide Series. Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Series race in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and is considered one of the favorites to win the Daytona 500.
Earnhardt Jr. said it is no surprise the Toyotas are fast, at both the Nationwide and Cup series levels.
"I knew it was real when we first come down here to test," said Earnhardt Jr., who finished third in the Nationwide Series race, the only Chevrolet driver in the top four. "The Toyota has been fast. Those guys, you know, got the knowledge to get cars around the track, know how to get to Victory Lane. They're gonna be tough I think all year."
Denny Hamlin was second and Brian Vickers was fourth in the Nationwide Series race. For the Daytona 500, Michael Waltrip in a Toyota is starting the race on the front row with Jimmie Johnson and the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Stewart, Hamlin and Kyle Busch, are all legitimate threats to win the race.
"They build great race cars," Earnhardt Jr. said. "They're a good company. I had the privilege of being able to get a good look at it one time. It's a pretty impressive place. I think they'll always be a challenge."
Joe Gibbs Racing made the switch from Chevrolet engines to Toyotas. They join Michael Waltrip Racing, Team Red Bull Racing, Bill Davis Racing and Hall of Fame Racing as Toyota-powered teams in Cup. Hall of Fame Racing, like Joe Gibbs Racing, is using Toyotas for the first time this year.
"I didn't think they wouldn't have made the change if it wasn't for the better," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It's obviously going to help them a lot over the years."