Here's what to expect in Sunday's Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway:
_Expect some confusion about some of the rules changes NASCAR has instituted for 2017. Hey, why are all those cars coming in after 60 laps (the first stage of three stages)? Why aren't they letting that car come back on the track from the garage (can't do that now if it went in because of damage from contact or a wreck). It will take some time to get used to all of it.
_2016 Daytona champion Denny Hamlin won't win. That's not a knock on Hamlin, it's just that's very rare for a driver to go back to back. Only Sterling Marlin, Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough have done it.
_The biggest cheer of the day will be raised when Dale Earnhardt Jr. steps on the stage during driver introductions. Earnhardt is back after missing 18 races last season with a concussion.
_Brad Keselowski will be a factor. Keselowski, although he hasn't won a Daytona 500, has become perhaps the Cup series' top restrictor-plate driver. He'll be strong all day.
_Ryan Blaney will win (I made the prediction last week). I have to stick with it, even though Blaney will start 36th. He's got one of the best teams ever at Daytona _ Wood Brothers Racing _ behind him.
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