Just like the expected crowded restrictor-plate racing this afternoon, the field of potential winners is jam-packed. Too many favorites and an even field that had testing reduced in the off-season to cut costs might level the competition at Daytona International Speedway.
Nearly 20 drivers seem to be contenders.
"There's just no way you can pick anyone to be the favorite," said Jeff Gordon, a three-time 500 champion. "I think there's just so many opportunities to pass; there's opportunities to move from the back to the front."
The race is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. and could be at the mercy of the weather – there is a 50 percent chance of rain.
Interference from Mother Nature aside, here are five things to watch in today's Daytona 500:
Johnson has dominated NASCAR in recent years, winning three consecutive Cup championships, tying legend Cale Yarborough for the series record. But Johnson enters the year looking for respect because Carl Edwards is the hot pick to take the crown.
In his seven Daytona starts, Johnson's average finish is 13.6, the best among full-time drivers with more than one 500 start.
The ageless driver may have found a late-career revival with Hendrick Motorsports. Martin, 50, will start on the front row with Martin Truex Jr. and has the horsepower to find Victory Lane.
Martin was heartbroken in 2007, when Kevin Harvick passed and edged him at the finish line.
"I think this is the year of opportunity for him to do things that he's never done before," said Jeff Gordon, his teammate.
Even Gordon wasn't as hyped as Logano, NASCAR's next phenom. Logano has been on the radar for years and was cast as the can't-miss kid. His potential showed over the week, when he made his first appearance at the track.
Logano, 18, will start ninth and drive a familiar car – Stewart's old No. 20 Home Depot Toyota. But Logano doesn't have it all figured out; teammate Kyle Busch took over his car in practice to help with the set-up.
Saturday flipped Stewart's new Stewart-Haas Racing team upside down. Stewart wrecked into teammate Ryan Newman, who blew a tire in practice ahead of him. Newman went to a third car for the weekend, and Stewart will use his Bud Shootout car.
His attempt to win his first 500 got a lot tougher, but Stewart (using Hendrick motors) is showing he has a special start-up team. Stewart's best Daytona 500 finish was second in 2004, and he has five top-10 finishes in his last six starts in the race. He'll also have A.J. Foyt offering advice in the pits.
Gordon has lost his way to Victory Lane as well as his status as an intimidator. He hasn't won a points race since October 2007, but he did win a Gatorade Duel on Thursday. A four-time Cup champion, Gordon will start third. He has won three times at Daytona.
Matt Kenseth, who will start 39th with a backup car, is another former series champion who went winless last season. Kenseth will fight against his 500 history, which includes only two career top-10 finishes.
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