Speedweeks preview: Johnson wants more

It's time to load up the haulers and head back to the beach for the 49th Daytona 500 -- and don't forget the swimsuit, the sunscreen and the sandbags.

Just like salt spray, seashells and sunburn, sandbagging is a tradition at Daytona International Speedway. After two weeks of testing last month, we're left to wonder: Who has something they aren't showing?

To use a poker metaphor, Hendrick Motorsports and Chip Ganassi Racing looked to have the best hands, based on single-car testing speeds in January. However, could there be another team that's bluffing in hopes of raising the stakes?

	TESTING JANUARY 15-17
Day 3 Cup Speeds Day 2 Cup Speeds Day 1 Cup Speeds

	TESTING JANUARY 8-11
Day 4 Cup Speeds Day 3 Cup Speeds Day 2 Cup Speeds Day 1 Cup Speeds

That's part of the allure of Speedweeks, which kicks into high gear Friday with Budweiser Shootout practice, culminating in the 500-miler a week from Sunday.

Can Jimmie Johnson repeat as champion? Will Toyota be competitive in its first Nextel Cup season? Which team will benefit most from offseason changes?

Those are all questions that could be answered in some way or form during the next two weeks.

A year ago, Jimmie Johnson's championship run started with a victory in the Daytona 500 -- something that was on his mind when he returned to the speedway last month.

"I rolled in thinking, man, I won last time we were here for this race, and same time I thought [about the championship]," Johnson said. "So it's been a great emotional ride for myself and the team.

"We really just want to go out and fall back on the confidence that this race team has. I mean, we've always been confident. But winning the championship I feel will really change the way we approach the year."

No driver has repeated as champion in NASCAR's top-tier series since Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon backed up his 1997 title with another one the following season. However, Johnson thinks his team will remain focused on that goal.

"I want to do it again, and that's the thing all the guys are saying," Johnson said. "It's like, man, one was great, but I want to sit at the table again in New York, I want to go through the photos, the different places, I want to go through the celebration again and that's the motivation for 2007."

Michael Waltrip and Dale Jarrett know the feeling of winning the Daytona 500. Things will be different in 2007, as both veterans -- in addition to five other drivers -- will be driving Toyotas. Dave Blaney and Jarrett (based on the past champion's provisional) are guaranteed starting positions in the 500, but Waltrip and the others must race their way in.

"It has been challenging, but it has been really fun, and at times rewarding, with all the different hurdles we've cleared and all the on-track testing that we have conducted so far has been positive," Waltrip said.

"It is a great race and certainly when the whole world is watching, you like to be successful at Daytona. Just to have the opportunity to go out and race for a win in the Daytona 500 is an honor and to pull it off, that's really special."

In addition, Ricky Rudd returns to Robert Yates Racing, Casey Mears moves over to Hendrick and Formula One star Juan Montoya takes on the challenge of driving a stock car for old pal Chip Ganassi.

On Saturday night, it's the Budweiser Shootout exhibition race, which was won by rookie Denny Hamlin last season. Unfortunately, winning the Shootout hasn't necessarily guaranteed success the following weekend. Of the last six Shootout winners, four have finished 30th or worse in the Daytona 500 -- including Hamlin, who wound up 30th in 2006.

In fact, only five winners have gone on to also capture the 500, with Jarrett doing it twice.

Qualifying on Sunday will set the front row for the Daytona 500, and the lineups for Thursday's 150-mile Gatorade Duels. Drivers without enough owner's points from last season will be forced to take gambles in those sprints that may pay off with one of the seven remaining Daytona 500 spots -- or leave the team having to load up the hauler for the long trip home.