Rudd heads a surprising list of marquee names without a 500 win. Two-time Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte started his first Daytona 500 in 1979 but has never won. Mark Martin and Ken Schrader still are searching after 16 tries. When I get that first one, I want another one. I should have four of them right now.
Experience is paramount to success.
Where to drive, how to draft, what adjustments to make, all favor veterans. The guys we're calling rookies have experience in other types of racing. By what I've seen they appreciate the equipment that they have and how important this race is. Ron Hornaday, who will start 42nd, learned his lesson during the Twin 125s on Thursday. Between two cars exiting the fourth turn, he spun and crashed into Jarrett.