by Larry McReynolds

Feb. 20, 1 ET on FOX NASCAR on FOX schedule More NASCAR

It's strange knowing that Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace are about to embark on their final Daytona 500 and their final year in Nextel Cup. It was very strange last year not having Bill Elliott in the field, and we're not going to have Terry Labonte in the field this year. When we get to 2006, it will be very different without Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace.

A lot like the late Dale Earnhardt before 1998, Martin and Wallace have been going to Daytona for a long time, and they have won about everything you could win but neither has won the Daytona 500. I can only imagine how much guts and determination those guys will have headed into their final 500. Watching these two veterans at the end of last year, they are going to be like men on a mission. And their charge to the championship will start right away at Daytona.

It's going to be a little strange seeing Elliott at Daytona. While he will run the Budweiser Shootout (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET on FOX) like he did last year, he won't be racing for Ray Evernham. He will be in Chip Ganassi's 39 car with the paint scheme that he ran in 1985 when he pretty much did everything you could do but win the championship. He won 11 races that year in the Coors paint scheme, and it's going to be pretty neat to see that paint scheme on the new Dodge Charger. It won't be Elliott's first time in a Ganassi car. He actually tested in one of Ganassi's open-wheel cars at Indy.

IROC loses Cup flavor

Speed Mail Larry McReynolds
SpeedMail Subject: Comment/Question: Name:  Email:  Hometown:

Unlike past years, only three Nextel Cup drivers make the field of the International Race of Champions competition which gets under way at Daytona on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. ET on SPEED.

Of the 12 drivers in the 2004 competition, six were Nextel Cup drivers. This year, all three Cup drivers conincidentally work for Roush Racing, and it's a pretty neat group. Last year's IROC champ Matt Kenseth, who won a million dollars in Crown Royal's first year on board, is back. It's the International Race of Champions so it should be champions, and Kurt Busch certainly earns his spot right there. The most fitting invite is for Mark Martin in his final Nextel Cup season. He has won four IROC series titles so it's neat for him to make the field in his last year.

Of course Busch and Craftsman Truck champs Martin Truex Jr. and Bobby Hamilton made the field. But the other six guys are Grand Am road racers and open-wheel guys so it's going to be a little different this year. The NASCAR boys are not going to dominate as they have in the past.

---

FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.

"Larry McReynolds: The Big Picture" is on bookstore shelves now, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.