RIDING WITH … Dave Blaney

Today: The Hartford native will start in the 12th position for the Coke Zero 400 tonight at Daytona International Speedway. The track hasn’t been kind to Blaney, who sits No. 30 in the driver standings. In 17 career starts at the famed oval, Blaney has a high-finish of 14th and four times he’s failed to complete the race. However, in 2007, Blaney, competing in the Nationwide series, finished second in February and third in July. In the Daytona 500 Blaney led one lap but failed to finish the race, finishing in 38th place.

Season to date: After last weekend’s disappointing 33rd place finish in New Hampshire, Blaney fell one spot in the driver standings. He’s 58 points behind No. 29 Michael Waltrip.

TV: Today’s coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on TNT, with the green flag scheduled to drop at 8.

The Vindicator, nascarmedia.com