by Jeff Hammond

Updated: July 5, 2007, 8:55 PM EST 21 comments

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Since teams won't need these cars anymore, there's no reason to save them. You don't want to be stupid, but if they make a mistake, they're going for it. That "going for it" attitude will set the table for one of the biggest Saturday night parties that we've ever seen at Daytona. We're going to get a second opportunity to see the Fourth of July because the fireworks are going to be huge with expendable race cars.

Who to Watch

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr.: If Dale Earnhardt Inc. has been working on its restrictor-plate program, which I believe they have because their overall program is looking so much better all of the sudden, these drivers should be the favorites this week. Earnhardt and Truex are continuing to impress when some thought DEI was going to roll over and play dead after Dale Jr. announced that he was leaving on May 10. It hasn't been that way at all. Dale Jr. loves this plate track, and it's going to be exciting to watch him run his last Daytona race for DEI.

Tony Stewart: Sitting sixth in points, "Smoke" is one of only three drivers in the top 12 without a win, and it's about time for him to win after running as well as he has without going to victory lane. At the season's halfway point, it's time for Stewart to start flexing his muscles, like he's done in years past. Daytona will be hot and slick, and during last week's qualifying show, Stewart said the hotter, slicker and more difficult the race, that's when the real race car drivers show up. He's definitely a race car driver so this track may be exactly what he's looking for.

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon: The Hendrick drivers will be wide open, looking to do what they've done in the past when they've had their backs against the wall with team penalties.

What to Watch

Wide-open races: While it's going to be fast and slick under the lights, drivers want a car that runs around Daytona wide-open and handles well. Many July 4th weekend races have been won because the driver can hold it wide open. That's the most important aspect of this race.

Pack mentality: Teams will work strategy to get their drivers in position to run with a good group of guys toward the front. When a car that's just off a hair on setup or down just a little bit on horsepower, it's so much easier to get in between a couple of drivers that know what they're doing.

Getting a handle: If your car handles well, it allows your driver to do things that most people can't do without fresh tires.

Front-runners: No matter how fast your car is, putting it at the back of a bunch of hungry animals this weekend is a recipe for disaster.

Race to the Chase

With nine races until the Chase for the Nextel Cup starts, some drivers in the top 12 will "safety up" from here on out. They will try to just get top-five finishes and build on their point situation to get through Richmond. Other drivers, like Ryan Newman, are on the outside looking in and need wins to get into the Chase and then use the 10 bonus points for each win to stay in the Chase race. You're going to see some unique strategies over the final nine races that should provide some really good racing, and drivers will make each other mad because there's going to be some pushing and shoving to get the job done. It's not going to be an easy stretch — both physically and mentally — for these race car drivers and teams.

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Golden memories

The 50th Daytona 500 is coming up in February, and I've had the privilege of being around and working for a lot of those Great American Race winners, including Bobby Allison, Junior Johnson, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. These men are special because that racetrack is special. It's hard to put into words and do justice to the privilege of getting to victory lane there because you never look at Daytona the same way again. When I get there, I feel a certain amount of pride. When you win at Daytona, it's a lot like winning at Indy or probably climbing Mount Everest. You've accomplished something that very few people have done at one of the toughest racetracks on the circuit.

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FOX race analyst Jeff Hammond led Darrell Waltrip to two of DW's three Winston Cup championships as his crew chief. They also teamed to win the 1989 Daytona 500.

For autographed copies of Jeff Hammond's book "Real Men Work in the Pits" plus magnets, hats and more, check out www.dwstore.com.

For photos and appearances, visit Jeff's web site www.jeffhammond.com.