Mike Brudenell is keeping tabs on Daytona 500 pole sitter Danica Patrick, who is attempting to become the first woman to win a NASCAR event. She is the talk of the town in Daytona.

Wednesday: Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing) took the track twice in the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet, ending up fourth in final practice to Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports).

Thursday: Patrick will lead the first of two Bud Duel races to the green flag as drivers attempt to lock up their starting positions in Sunday's "Great American Race." Barring a wreck in the Duel which would cause her to need a backup car, Patrick will start head of the class on Sunday.

Overheard: "She has shown through the Nationwide Series that she is competitive and she can get in there and mix it up," five-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said Wednesday. "Kind of hold a straight wheel in the most important situations and has led laps and has been up front. I think through a large degree she is great. She is there, she is fine. It's really about when you get close to the front and if you make a move and (it's) the wrong move and lose 15 spots."

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