NASCAR Cup Series

A look at the real stories of 2009

Published Feb. 2, 2009 10:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

The road to Daytona is paved with good intentions. But if the Money Grab 500 — er, the Daytona 500 — is any indication of how the 2009 season will unfold, then the sport is in for a wild ride.

How many teams are likely to enter the Great American Race? With the last-place finisher earning a minimum check of $260,000 from the purse, TV money and Gatorade Duel prize, it's no wonder that 50-plus entries is the latest guesstimate. Money like that will make even the faintest of hopefuls get inside second-hand cars during Speedweeks.