Local Look: Daytona 500

Event: Daytona 500

Date: Feb. 15

Location: Daytona International Speedway

Local papers covering: Daytona Beach News-Journal, Orlando Sentinel

Vickers in tune with NASCAR's youth movement

The deal: Steve Elling of the Orlando Sentinel says only 3 1/2 months past his 20th birthday, Brian Vickers hopes to put the "next" in Nextel Cup, the circuit's new title sponsor.

ALSO  •  More from the NASCAR.com Newswire  •  Complete race coverage

"This kid has everything," sports psychologist Jack Stark, who works with the Hendrick drivers, told the paper. "I almost hate to say it at this point, but if he's not the next Jeff Gordon, then I don't know who is."

Why we care: The new baby face of NASCAR has freckles, red hair, a slight drawl and occasionally answers to the all-too-apt nickname "Opie." Given his age, when he talks of his crib back home in North Carolina, he could almost mean it literally. He blew through the sport's developmental circuits at a dizzying rate and signed up to ride on the senior circuit late last year when he was still 19. Truth be told, he doesn't look that old.

For more on Brian Vickers, click here.

NASCAR brethren just say no

The deal: Ken Willis of the Daytona Beach News-Journal says when it comes to snuffing out potential drug and alcohol problems before they get out of hand, NASCAR's unique brand of sporting entertainment once again serves it well. It's the reason you'll never see a widespread problem within the sport, and why it's unlikely that even one or two, here and there, wouldn't get away with a problem for very long.

Why we care: If you're wearing a baseball, football or basketball uniform, and a guy in the opposing uniform is wasted, that's generally to your benefit. If it's a guy in your own uniform, his lack of faculties will eventually be exposed and a roster spot will open while he's off at Betty Ford University.

In racing, however, the doped-up guy in opposing colors can get you killed.

For more NASCAR news from around the country, click here.

Junior has admiration for racing history

The deal: George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a reverence for his late father's generation and the drivers he jockeys with for better track position every weekend.

"I got a huge respect for the sport, where it's been, where it's coming, where it's going," Earnhardt told the newspaper. "I grew up watching my dad race against Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and those guys. They raced hard and here I am sitting on the same pit road with those guys.

Why we care: Earnhardt Jr. continues to stake his claim as one of the freshest faces in NASCAR, a fledging icon to a new generation of fans weaned on power rock and cold beers.

For more on Junior, click here.

Jarrett may be man to beat at Daytona

The deal: Ken Willis of the Daytona Beach News-Journal says Dale Jarrett is no longer just a name in the local history book, but possibly a threat to add to his long list of Daytona glory.

"I'm not saying we're back, but we're gonna be a lot more competitive," Jarrett told the paper after finding himself first under the checkers following Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout.

Why we care: The Shootout always serves as a hint, at least, of what to expect later in the Daytona 500. Jarrett's thrilling last-lap pass for the lead reminds us of so much Daytona history that it's hard to ignore it when looking for a crystal ball.

For more on Jarrett, click here.

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