by Jeff Hammond

I expect the Chevrolet Monte Carlos will still be strong with guys like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. They're going to be out there getting the job done, but the new Charger nose is what I'm really curious about because Dodge has done a lot of work to get some downforce on the front of that car.

Among the Nextel Cup teams testing at Daytona this week, a couple names jump out at me. Michael Waltrip, in the 15 car, has a brand new crew chief this year. Tony Eury Jr. used to be Earnhardt Jr.'s car chief. Greg Biffle finished strong in 2004. It will be interesting to see how Biffle and the 16 team come back and build on that finish in 2005.

These teams couldn't wait to get to Daytona and have an opportunity to see whether their horsepower and aerodynamic packages have improved since last year's Daytona and Talladega races. A lot of teams have a lot of new personnel to work into the equation so it's a very important time for all of the teams to shake off the cobwebs. They've been off the track for the better part of a month and a half so they are eager to go.

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Get your motor runnin'

Speaking of teams, we always hear about the pit crews and how they compete against one another, but the Clevite Engine Builder competition recognizes the work of the men and women who assemble engines and make them run in the shortest period of time in a controlled environment.

It's an opportunity for the engine builders and their assistants to put their quick wrenches and teamwork together and see who is fastest. They take a lot of pride in winning the contest, and they get very excited because they take their work very, very seriously.

Head and shoulders above

Since NASCAR first approved different types of head and neck restraints, they did more extensive testing. The HANS sits on a driver's shoulders and attachs to his helmet in a way that passed NASCAR and FIA tests.

Formula One had already done a lot of testing, and they really felt like the HANS Device rated best. NASCAR followed suit when it examined safety issues for drivers in all three top national divisions — Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck — and I agree with them 100 percent.

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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 Jeff Hammond's "Real Men Work in the Pits" magnets, Hollywood Hotel hats and more, check out www.dwstore.com.

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