Handicapping the Daytona 500 National Anthem Performer

Well, shockingly I still can't stop thinking about the Daytona 500. We already know Luke Bryan is headling the pre-race concert, but that doesn't tell us who will honor America with our National Anthem. I've done us all a favor and handicapped the favorites, and included some long shots I would love to see. Let's break this down in categories.

The DALE Guys Top 5 Luke Bryan Songs

The Dale guys were pumped over a big announcement Wednesday.This is an announcement I've been waiting for since the disappointment of Daytona announcing Lenny Kravitz would play the 2012 pre-race concert. I know he's not your George Strait or Hank Williams, but LUKE BRYAN has me pumped up for this years pre-race show. Just last summer me and a few Dale guys had a blast a a Luke concert here in NJ. Unfortunatley, I figure with no front stretch access we'll be lucky to hear one word of 'Suntan City', and I doubt Luke is able to serenade me with 'Drunk on You', but the thought of a Luke concert and a Daytona 500 the same day really takes me from 6 to midnight!

Anyway, I digress, here are the Dale Guys top 5 Luke Bryan songs...

The DALE Guys Fix the Perfectly Fine NSCS Chase

Late last week, we learned of potential MEGA changes to the Sprint Cup Championship as we know it. It's got everyone in the sport talking, and has us conflicted. Here are my highly educated, knowledgeable thoughts.

Whisky River JAX Closing: DALE Guys Crushed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (via http://www.firstcoastnews.com) -- First Coast News has confirmed that Whisky River Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center has closed its doors.

Employees who reported to work on Friday were greeted by locked doors, the location's website bears a message that says "Whisky River Jacksonville has closed" and the director of communications at JR Motorsports, confirmed that the location has closed. JR Motorsports is NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s company.
A statement to sent to Whisky River employees obtained by First Coast News said:
"By now you may have heard that we are closed. I want to personally thank you for everything that you have done for me and for WR (Whisky River). I will be getting payroll when it comes in and holding it Librettos/Suite. Tonight you are all welcome to come and hear DJ Irie at Suite and enjoy come complimentary cocktails for Suite's anniversary party. The mngr at Suite/Blackfinn have been told you may come looking for work and will do what they can to accommodate you. Your employee discounts will continue to be valid at both places. If you need a recommendation, don't hesitate to ask. Thank you again, Slim"

 WOW! Talk about a boner killer on a Friday night. As most of you probably know, the DALE guys are making their return trip to Daytona Beach this February, hopefully to actually see a 500 this year. Since plane tickets into Daytona were sky high, we chose to take a flight into Jacksonville. After much debate about where to stay in JAX the Friday before the race, we decided to get away from the area of the airport and stay in a place in the same parking lot as Whisky River. Obviously the only reason for doing this was to head back to WR again this year.

Now this news. A lease disagreement? Are you shitting me. Where is the 'D' supposed to pick up cougars now? Where is the 'A' supposed to get his Dale Jr. burger this year? Now we're gonna end up settling for a circle jerk in our cheap hotel room while the '!' watches the door for rapists and murderers. Awesome, what a great way to get pumped up for the greatest weekend of our lives.

Anyway, happy to start blogging again. Look for us to kick it into high gear getting ready for this season. Should be a great year, 2014, YEAR OF DALE.

Fantasy Recap: Ford Ecoboost 400 (Homestead)

And there we have it. Jimmy wraps up another title and the 'A' wins the inaugural DALE! Guys Fantasy Pick 'Em. With the unconventional Truex pick, the 'A' nips the 'L' at the line and consistency wins out over picking winners. The 'A's picks finished in the top 10 in every race that we picked. This week's results and the final overall standings are listed below. Come back next year for a full season of Dale Guys Fantasy picks. Daytona is right around the (lefthand) corner.

	Pick	Place	DALE! Guys Pts.	Cup Points	Laps Led
D	Harvick	10	1	35	8
A	Truex	4	3	40	0
L	Logano	8	1	36	0
E	Jimmy	9	1	35	0
!	Dale	3	4	42	28

Full Updated Stats:

	D	A	L	E	!
Points	240	279	244	254	247
Wins	1	0	2	1	0
Top 5	2	5	3	1	4
Top 10	4	7	4	5	5
Laps Led	332	39	341	154	164
DALE! Guys Points	11	20	18	11	17

and...

The FINAL OVERALL STANDINGS
--	1	A	20
v	2	L	18
--	3	!	17
--	4	E	11
--	4	D	11

Fantasy Picks: Ford Ecoboost 400 (Homestead)

Order of picks, based on reverse overall standings, is: D, E, !, L, A

D: I'm pickin' the guy that wants this race the most and has the least to lose: Kevin Harvick. I'm not in a position to win the DALE! Guys Fantasy, so I just want to pick the winner. I don't care about points and Harvick is racing for nothing less than a win. Maybe he can CLOSE the season on a high note.

A: I'm going to go off the beaten path here and take a local boy with something to prove. It's his last race with MWR after Clint fucked him back at Richmond. Marty Truex from Stafford NJ gets it done today. Jr. cam't win, JJ doesn't need to win, and Kenseth is going to try to hard to win. I see this one playing out for ole Truex.

L: Last race and I'm in a tie for the lead. Sure a win would be nice and it would seal the deal but I think a top 10 will get the job done. Now I know I shouldn't pick Little Joey because he's burned me before but he's fast and I think he can get the job done. And even though I couldn't pick him, let's go Jimmie! It's six pack time.

E: JJ is gonna take his chase victory lap and get his first win at homestead all at the same time. This man can not be stopped

!: Basically, I've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Dales gunna win, plain And simple. GO DALE GO GET ME THAT CHAMPIONSHIP AND YOUR FIRST WIN THIS YEAR!

Fantasy Recap: Advocare 500 (Phoenix)

The Dale Guys pick yet another winner. That's three weeks in a row if you're scoring at home. The 'L' scores big with Harv and regains a share of the lead.
Here are this week's picks and results:

	Pick	Place	DALE! Guys Pts.	Cup Points	Laps Led
D	Hambone	28	0	17	18
A	Dale Jr.	4	3	41	1
L	Harv	1	7	48	70
E	Logano	9	1	36	33
!	Jimmy The Johnson	3	4	42	1

With one week remaining, everyone is still technically in the hunt, but it looks to be a three man race between the 'L', the 'A', and the '!'. It'll be a race to follow, so...
read more for full updated stats and the overall standings