The News
Unlike other races, teams may change engines prior to Happy Hour practice for the Daytona 500 and not forfeit their starting position, according to Jayski.com.

Our View:NASCAR allows teams to change engines without penalty because of the added track time during Speedweeks. Teams face four practice sessions as well the Gatorade Duel 150s prior to Happy Hour.

The News
Scott Lagasse Jr. will drive for Barker Curb Racing in the Nationwide Series in 2010, according to SceneDaily.com.

Our View:Lagasse Jr. recorded for top 10s in 21 Nationwide starts last season, with a best finish of eighth at Talladega. The team plans to run a full schedule this year, assuming sponsorship can be secured.

The News
After locking himself into the Daytona 500 field during qualifying, Joe Nemechek hopes to secure enough sponsorship to run a full season in 2010, according to SceneDaily.com.

Our View:"We've got a lot of folks out there that are working on all our marketing programs and trying to find us some partners to find us some funds to let us race more and more," Nemechek said. "This is a big step towards that."

The News
According to Jayski.com, Max Papis will attempt to run 20 Cup Series events in 2010.

Our View:His schedule begins with this weekend's Daytona 500 and includes both road course events, the Sprint Showdown and more. Papis will also run the Truck Series event at Daytona this weekend.

The News
Tommy Baldwin Racing signed a deal with Wave Energy Drinks that will allow Mike Bliss to run 14 in 2010, according to NASCAR.com.

Our View:Baldwin already had Bliss sponsored for 10 races, meaning Bliss has the opportunity to attempt at least 24 complete races this season. TBR is slowing growing, and a year after being a start-and-park operation, the team is approaching full-time status. It is now up to Bliss to put the No. 36 in the top 35 in points.

The News
According to FoxSports.com, Miccosukee Resort and Gaming will no longer serve as a sponsor for Phoenix Racing.

Our View:The decision to end the sponsorship came after a change in tribal leadership. Aric Almirola was slated to run a full schedule in 2010 in the No. 09, but those plans could now change. Team owner James Finch still plans to try to qualify for the Daytona 500, but the long-term state of the team is in doubt.

The News
Danica Patrick will make her Nationwide Series debut in the season opener at Daytona, according to MRN.com.

Our View:She finished sixth in her ARCA debut last weekend, and that was apparently enough to convince Patrick and JR Motorsports that she is ready for Nationwide competition. The Daytona 500 may be the main event of Speedweeks, but Patrick's Nationwide debut is going to draw just as much hype.

The News
According to ESPN.com, Kyle Busch and his girlfriend Samantha Sarcinella are now engaged.

Our View:The 24-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver popped the question Thursday night. It looks like NASCAR's bad boy has a heart after all. Maybe the engaged Busch can find his way back to the Chase in 2010.

The News
According to Yahoo! Sports, Bill Elliott and three other drivers secured spots in the Daytona 500 after Saturday's qualifying session.

Our View:Elliott was the fastest qualifer not in the top 35 in owner points followed by Scott Speed and Joe Nemechek. All three are guaranteed spots in the field, along with Bobby Labonte who has the Past Champion's provisional to fall back on. This leaves four transfer spots up for grabs in Thursday's Gatorade Duel 150s.

The News
Kevin Harvick emerged from a wild final two laps with his second straight Budweiser Shootout victory, according to MRN.com.

Our View:Harvick hadn't turned a lap in the car prior to Saturday's race because of a bout with the flu. He took the lead from Greg Biffle with two laps to go as the No. 16 car was sent spinning by a tap from Jeff Gordon. Harvick became the fourth driver to win the event in consecutive seasons. Last year, he followed up his win with a second place finish in the Daytona 500.