{"id":14801,"date":"2018-02-18T08:01:30","date_gmt":"2018-02-18T14:01:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=14801"},"modified":"2018-02-17T22:49:17","modified_gmt":"2018-02-18T04:49:17","slug":"texas-motor-speedway-president-eddie-gossage-makes-his-picks-for-2018-nascar-season-daytona-500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/02\/18\/texas-motor-speedway-president-eddie-gossage-makes-his-picks-for-2018-nascar-season-daytona-500\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage makes his picks for 2018 NASCAR season, Daytona 500"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations<\/em><\/p>\n

FORT WORTH, Texas \u2013 As Sunday’s Daytona 500 approaches, Texas Motor Speedway<\/a> President Eddie Gossage offered his insight into which Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver will win the season-opening race, which one will go on to capture the series crown and which among the youth movement will have the biggest impact in 2018.<\/p>\n

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Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage. (Brandon Wade\/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)<\/p><\/div>\n

Let’s take a look at Gossage’s picks:<\/p>\n

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  • Daytona 500 Winner:<\/strong> Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Ford for Team Penske.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Gossage’s take:<\/strong> “I believe that a veteran is going to win his very first Daytona 500 – Brad Keselowski. Never won the Daytona 500; he has won at Talladega. I think Brad will win the Daytona 500 because he is smart, very analytical, a good drafter, he runs well at Daytona and Talladega – virtually two identical tracks. I look for him to wind up on top, but something won’t let go of Alex Bowman.”<\/p>\n

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    • Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion:<\/strong> Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Gossage’s take:<\/strong> “I think this year you are going to see a guy win his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship – Kyle Busch, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. Kyle won a couple of years back (2015) and I think he will do it again. He is just such a great talent. He occasionally self-destructs, but I think he’s reached a point in his career that he is going to put it all together and win the championship.”<\/p>\n

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      • Emerging Young Star:<\/strong> William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Gossage’s take:<\/strong> “The question is, ‘Who is going to make it big time?’ I’ve got to be honest with you I believe – and most folks I’ve talked to believe – that William Byron is going to be the man to emerge from the pack and be a star in this sport for a long time to come. I wouldn’t be surprised to see William win a race or two, make it to the playoffs (this season).”<\/p>\n