AUTOSPORT's Daytona 500 grid guide

The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup roars into life on Sunday afternoon as 43 drivers go for the one of the biggest prizes in racing - the Daytona 500. AUTOSPORT brings you our expert spotter's guide to the full grid.

Last year's Chase runner-up Carl Edwards took pole position as the Ford's once again showed their strength on the 2.5-mile tri-oval, and starts alongside Roush team-mate Greg Biffle. But two wild Gatorade duels determined the rest of the line-up, and as you will see there are some big names all the way through the field...

1. #99 Carl Edwards
Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 265
Wins: 19
Poles: 10
Daytona 500 form: 2nd (2011), 9th ('10), 18th ('09), 19th ('08), 23rd ('07), 43rd ('06), 12th ('05)

After coming oh-so-close to the 2011 title, Edwards will be desperate to go one better than he did in last year's season opener and clinch his first 500 victory. Starting from pole, and the strength of the Roush/Yates engines, make him a formidable competitor.

2. #16 Greg Biffle
Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 330
Wins: 16
Poles: 9
Daytona 500 form: 35th (2011), 3rd ('10), 20th ('09), 10th ('08), 25th ('07), 31st ('06), 25th ('05), 12th ('04), 21st ('03)

Following a winless 2012, Biffle needs a strong 2012. Claimed his first-ever Cup win at Daytona back in 2003 and ought to be among the frontrunners with the pace he's shown so far this week.

3. #14 Tony Stewart
Stewart Haas Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 464
Wins: 44
Poles: 13
Daytona 500 form: 13th (2011), 22nd ('10), 8th ('09), 3rd ('08), 43rd ('07), 5th ('06), 7th ('05), 2nd ('04), 7th ('03), 43rd ('02), 36th ('01), 17th ('00), 28th ('99)

The reigning Cup champ has a great record at Daytona - 17 wins following his Duel success, although 500 success has always eluded him. Has to be considered one of the favourites this weekend.

4. #17 Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 436
Wins: 21
Poles: 7
Daytona 500 form: 34th (2011), 8th ('10), 1st ('09), 36th ('08), 27th ('07), 15th ('06), 42nd ('05), 9th ('04), 20th ('03), 33rd ('02), 21st ('01), 10th ('00)

Unlike team-mate Biffle, Matt Kenseth had a great 2011 season and has to be one of the favourites to repeat his 2009 success and claim another 500 crown. His passing move to win the second Duel race smacks of a man on form.

5. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 435
Wins: 18
Poles: 10
Daytona 500 form: 24th (2011), 2nd ('10), 27th ('09), 9th ('08), 32nd ('07), 8th ('06), 3rd ('05), 1st ('04), 36th ('03), 29th ('02), 2nd ('01), 13th ('00)

It's been the best part of four years since 'Junior's' last win, but the 2004 500 winner is always a factor at Daytona. Expect the place to erupt if he ends that losing streak this weekend.

6. #78 Regan Smith
Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 131
Wins: 1
Poles: 0
Daytona 500 form: 7th (2011), 39th ('10), 21st ('09), 37th ('08)

Another driver who had a breakthrough 2011 season, and while he's not one of the pre-race favourites, it would be no surprise to see him mix it at the front during the 500.

7. #9 Marcos Ambrose
Richard Petty Enterprises Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 117
Wins: 1
Poles: 0
Daytona 500 form: 37th (2011), 41st ('10), 17th ('09)

The Aussie claimed his first Cup win last year on a road course, as expected, but he and the team have been making big progress on superspeedways so he could be a factor in the 500.

8. #48 Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 363
Wins: 55
Poles: 27
Daytona 500 form: 27th (2011), 35th ('10), 31st ('09), 27th ('08), 39th ('07), 1st ('06), 5th ('05), 5th ('04), 3rd ('03), 15th ('02)

Despite all his championship success of recent years, Johnson hasn't won the 500 since 2006 (when Chad Knaus was suspended). Sure to be a factor this weekend, and is desperate to win one for Chad.

9. #31 Jeff Burton
Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 619
Wins: 21
Poles: 6
Daytona 500 form: 36th (2011), 11th ('10), 28th ('09), 13th ('08), 3rd ('07), 32nd ('06), 29th ('05), 42nd ('04), 11th ('03), 12th ('02), 19th ('01), 2nd ('00), 35th ('99), 40th ('98), 11th ('97), 5th ('96), 24th ('95), 26th ('94)

Burton was a runner-up in the 500 as long ago as 2000 and after a poor 2011 season he'll be itching to kick off this year with a bang. A good each-way bet.

10. #33 Elliott Sadler
Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 429
Wins: 3
Poles: 8

Daytona 500 form: 24th (2010), 5th ('09), 6th ('08), 6th ('07), 4th ('06), 11th ('05), 7th ('04), 23rd ('03), 2nd ('02), 18th ('01), 38th ('00), 40th ('99)

Sadler is no longer a Cup regular but a seat in a Richard Childress Chevy means that there's every opportunity for him to pull a surprise result out of the bag this weekend.

11. #98 Michael McDowell
Phil Parson's Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 84
Wins: 0
Poles: 0

More famous for his spectacular Texas crash than his results, McDowell showed good pace in racing his way into the starting line-up. Ford power means he could pull off a shock result.

12. #20 Joey Logano
Joe Gibbs Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 111
Wins: 1
Poles: 3
Daytona 500 form: 23rd (2011), 20th ('10), 43rd ('09)

The return of pack racing will be an eye-opener for 21-year-old Logano, whose previous Daytona outings came during the 'two-by-two' era. Should have a quick car though.

13. #29 Kevin Harvick
Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 394
Wins: 18
Poles: 7
Daytona 500 form: 42nd (2011), 7th ('10), 2nd ('09), 14th ('08), 1st ('07), 14th ('06), 28th ('05), 4th ('04), 4th ('03), 36th ('02)

'The Closer' is an awesome pack racer and the return of three-wide action could be just the change he needs to add to his 2007 500 victory.

14. #18 Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Toyota Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 257
Wins: 23
Poles: 9
Daytona 500 form: 8th (2011), 14th ('10), 41st ('09), 4th ('08), 24th ('07), 23rd, ('06), 38th, ('05)

Put his controversial end of 2011 behind him by winning the Bud Shoot-out last weekend and will be hoping to carry that form into the 500.

15. #22 AJ Allmendinger
Penske Racing Dodge Charger

NASCAR Cup starts: 152
Wins: 0
Poles: 1
Daytona 500 form: 11th (2011), 32nd ('10), 3rd ('09)

The one-time Red Bull reject has earned a place in the Penske superteam on the back of a couple of strong season. Should break his duck this year, but 500 glory may be asking a bit much.

16. #24 Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 653
Wins: 85
Poles: 70
Daytona 500 form: 28th (2011), 26th ('10), 13th ('09), 39th ('08), 10th ('07), 26th ('06), 1st ('05), 8th ('04), 12th ('03), 9th ('02), 30th ('01), 34th ('00), 1st ('99), 16th ('98), 1st ('97), 42nd ('96), 22nd ('95), 4th ('94), 5th ('93)

Only a fool would discount the chances of a four-time Cup winner and three-time 500 champ, and after an improved 2011 by his recent standards what price 500 number four?

17.# 7 Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon Motorsports Dodge Charger

NASCAR Cup starts: 390
Wins: 3
Poles: 1
Daytona 500 form: 16th (2011), 28th ('10), 34th ('09), 8th ('08), 15th ('07), 13th ('06), 35th ('04), 6th ('03), 13th ('02), 37th ('01), 18th ('00), 16th ('97), 18th ('91)

One of NASCAR's true characters, controversy is never far from Robby Gordon's door. His self-run team is one of the smallest in the series, but on his day he's still capable of the odd giant-killing feat.

18. #39 Ryan Newman
Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 368
Wins: 15
Poles: 49
Daytona 500 form: 22nd (2011), 34th ('10), 36th ('09), 1st ('08), 38th ('07), 3rd ('06), 20th ('05), 31st ('04), 43rd ('03), 7th ('02)

The 2008 500 winner will be playing a key team role for boss/team-mate Tony Stewart but could still be a factor himself if he can keep out of trouble (and keep his engine cool).

19. #1 Jamie McMurray
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 330
Wins: 6
Poles: 8
Daytona 500 form: 18th (2011), 1st ('10), 37th ('09), 26th ('08), 31st ('07), 37th ('06), 32nd ('05), 36th ('04), 31st ('03)

The 2010 Daytona 500 winner is always a factor on the superspeedways (he won the Pepsi 400 held at Daytona in 2007 too), so expect him to be among the front runners on Sunday.

20. #5 Kasey Kahne
Hendrick Motorsport Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 288
Wins: 12
Poles: 22
Daytona 500 form: 25th (2011), 30th ('10), 29th ('09), 7th ('08), 7th ('07), 11th ('06), 22nd ('05), 41st ('04)

Kahne takes over from Mark Martin in one of NASCAR's true heavyweight teams. Doesn't have much form in the Daytona 500, and damage sustained to his race car in practice hasn't helped his cause.

21. #6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 1
Wins: 0
Poles: 0

The reigning Nationwide champion is getting a Cup chance with the Roush superteam. It's not a full-time drive, however with the equipment he has, he's the man most likely to be this year's Trevor Bayne.

22. #55 Mark Martin

Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 830
Wins: 40
Poles: 51
Daytona 500 form: 10th (2011), 12th ('10), 16th ('09), 31st ('08), 2nd ('07), 12th ('06), 6th ('05), 43rd ('04), 5th ('03), 6th ('02), 33rd ('01), 5th ('00), 31st ('99), 38th ('98), 7th ('97), 4th ('96), 3rd ('95), 13th ('94), 6th ('93), 29th ('92), 21st ('91), 21st ('90), 33rd ('89), 41st ('88), 37th ('86), 12th ('83), 30th ('82)

Veteran Martin is only running a part-time campaign this season, so will be eager to star in the big races. A wily racer, could this finally be his year in the 500?

23. #2 Brad Keselowski
Penske Racing Dodge Charger

NASCAR Cup starts: 89
Wins: 4
Poles: 2
Daytona 500 form: 29th (2011), 36th ('10)

Penske's new number one came on strong at the end of 2011, with two wins in the second half of the season. Hasn't enjoyed the best of luck at Daytona to date, and that has been the case again this year so far.

24. #36 Dave Blaney
Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 397
Wins: 0
Poles: 2
Daytona 500 form: 26th (2011), 38th ('08), 34th ('07), 22nd ('06), 14th ('05), 15th ('04), 24th ('03), 25th ('02), 42nd ('01), 27th ('00)

Has a name that sounds a bit like the famous illusionist and it'll take some magic if Blaney to be among the lead pack when the flag falls on this year's 500. But did well to race his way into the starting line-up.

25. #34 David Ragan
Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 182
Wins: 1
Poles: 2
Daytona 500 form: 14th (2011), 16th ('10), 6th ('09), 42nd ('08), 5th ('07)

A maiden win wasn't enough for Ragan to keep his Roush seat for 2012. Will struggle to repeat that showing this year although Daytona is a great leveller, especially when you have a Ford.

26. #56 Martin Truex Jr
Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 225
Wins: 1
Poles: 6
Daytona 500 form: 19th (2011), 6th ('10), 11th ('09), 20th ('08), 29th ('07), 16th ('06), 34th ('05)

While Truex can be considered an outsider among the usual frontrunners, it's impossible to rule anyone out so long as they keep on the lead lap and make the right pit calls.

27. #43 Aric Almirola
Petty Enterprises Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 35
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Daytona 500 form: 30th (2009)

Taking over the most famous number in NASCAR is a great opportunity for Almirola, whose career looked like it was stalling after a promising beginning.

28. #51 Kurt Busch
Phoenix Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 400
Wins: 20
Poles: 15
Daytona 500 form: 5th (2011), 23rd ('10), 10th ('09), 2nd ('08), 41st ('07), 38th ('06), 2nd ('05), 16th ('04), 2nd ('03), 4th ('02), 41st ('01)

Having effectively talked himself out of a drive at Penske, the 2004 champ will be eager to show his skills. Phoenix may be a small team, but the cars come from Hendrick, so don't discount a giant-killing showing.

29. #10 Danica Patrick
Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 0
Wins: 0
Poles: 0

The world's most famous female racing driver is diving into the deepend for her Cup debut, but with a car entered in conjunction with reigning champions Stewart Haas Racing, she'll have the equipment to run at the front. Will be interesting to see what affect her heavy crash in the Duel has had.

30. #15 Clint Bowyer
Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 217
Wins: 5
Poles: 2
Daytona 500 form: 17th (2011), 4th ('10), 4th ('09), 24th ('08), 18th ('07), 6th ('06)

The 500 will be Bowyer's first-ever Cup race not driving for Richard Childress Racing following his off-close move to Waltrip. Could be a darkhorse however.

31. #11 Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 223
Wins: 17
Poles: 9
Daytona 500 form: 21st (2011), 17th ('10), 26th ('09), 17th ('08), 28th ('07), 30th ('06)

After a hugely disappointing 2011 season, Hamlin will want to get 2012 off with a bang. He won the 500-supporting Bud shoot-out as a rookie back in 2006 and needs to get that mojo working again.

32. #47 Bobby Labonte
JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 654
Wins: 21
Poles: 26
Daytona 500 form: 4th (2011), 21st ('10), 22nd ('09), 11th ('08), 21st ('07), 35th ('06), 43rd ('05), 11th ('04), 41st ('03), 34th ('02), 40th ('01), 6th ('00), 25th ('99), 2nd ('98), 21st ('97), 17th ('96), 30th ('95), 10th ('94), 20th ('93)

The 2000 champion hasn't won a race since 2003 and is unlikely to end that run this weekend, but his experience could mean that he's still in the hunt come the end.

33. #38 David Gilliland
Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 186
Wins: 0
Poles: 2
Daytona 500 form: 3rd (2011), 28th ('08), 8th ('07)

Gilliland is a former 500 polesitter, and was third last year, still it will be a huge upset if he repeats that form again this Sunday.

34. #87 Joe Nemechek
NEMCO Motorsports Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 587
Wins: 4
Poles: 10
Daytona 500 form: 39th (2011), 43rd ('10), 41st ('08), 9th ('07), 33rd ('06), 13th ('05), 6th ('04), 22nd ('03), 40th ('02), 11th ('01), 42nd ('00), 36th ('99), 26th ('98), 27th ('97), 39th ('96)

It's been a long time since 'front row Joe' started that far up, but just getting his self-run ex-Red Bull Toyota into the race was an achievement.

35. #42 Juan Pablo Montoya
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 181
Wins: 2
Poles: 7
Daytona 500 form: 6th (2011), 10th ('10), 14th ('09), 32nd ('08), 19th ('07)

Montoya is yet to win a NASCAR Cup oval race, but has run well at superspeedways in the past, and heavy crash in the Duel won't have helped his chances this time out.

36. #13 Casey Mears
Germain Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 308
Wins: 1
Poles: 3
Daytona 500 form: 15th (2009), 35th ('08), 20th ('07), 2nd ('06), 26th ('05), 14th ('04), 27th ('03)

Rick's nephew has been a NASCAR nomad for the past few seasons, but he's got a solid deal with Germain now and has shown impressive speed in the run up to the 500.

37. #27 Paul Menard
Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 183
Wins: 1
Poles: 1
Daytona 500 form: 9th (2011), 13th ('10), 38th ('09), 22nd ('08)

Following on from his best-ever Cup season Menard will be hoping to improve upon his top 10 finish in last year's 500. But he starts on the back foot following a car-wrecking Duel crash.

38. #93 David Reutimann
BK Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 171
Wins: 2
Poles: 4
Daytona 500 form: 30th (2011), 5th ('10), 12th ('09), 18th ('08), 40th ('07)

Left without a drive by Waltrip, Reutimann has joined BK racing and it's band of ex-Red Bull racers. Likely to struggle to make much of an impression.

39. #83 Landon Cassill
BK Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 48
Wins: 0
Poles: 0

Once a GM protege Cassill has landed a seat with the BK team and made the field for his first ever 500. That's probably as good as it's going to get.

40. #21 Trevor Bayne
Wood Brothers Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 18
Wins: 1
Poles: 0
Daytona 500 form: 1st (2011)

Last year's surprise winner will have to go some to repeat that amazing feat. He's made the cut and looked to have a strong car again in the Duel. Surely lightning won't strike twice?

41. #26 Tony Raines
Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 162
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Daytona 500 form: 33rd (2007), 33rd ('03)

Practically the definition of journeyman driver, Raines and Front Row have done well to make the field.

42. #30 David Stremme
Inception Motorsports Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 137
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Daytona 500 form: 33rd (2009), 11th ('07), 28th ('06)

Back in 2009 Stremme was racing for Penske and came close to winning in Talladega. His sights will be set a bit lower on Sunday.

43. #32 Terry Labonte
FAS Lane Racing Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 877
Wins: 22
Poles: 27
Daytona 500 form: 15th (2011), 24th ('09), 17th ('06), 20th ('04), 30th ('03), 20th ('02), 24th ('01), 7th ('00), 38th ('99), 13th ('98), 2nd ('97), 24th ('96), 8th ('95), 3rd ('94), 11th ('93), 7th ('92), 13th ('91), 2nd ('90), 9th ('89), 5th ('88), 18th ('87), 2nd ('86), 25th ('85), 12th ('84), 6th ('83), 4th ('82), 40th ('81), 6th ('80), 16th ('79)

The double champion has been running limited campaigns for years now. A champion's provisional means he's got a chance at taking that elusive 500 win.

NON-QUALIFIERS

#40 Michael Waltrip
Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 765
Wins: 4
Poles: 4

Waltrip has always been a superspeedway specialist, but a spin merging onto the banking in the Duel ended any hope he had of taking a third 500 win.

#23 Robert Richardson Jr
R3 Motorsports Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Cup starts: 6
Wins: 0
Poles: 0

Entering in a family-run team against the established players meant making the field was always going to be a big ask, and so it proved to be.

#97 Bill Elliott
NEMCO Motorsports Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 826
Wins: 44
Poles: 54

'Awesome Bill from Dawsonville' will have to wait another year to try to add to his two 500 wins after Terry Labonte took the champion's provisional and Elliott wasn't quick enough to make it on speed.

#37 Mike Wallace
JD Motorsports Ford Fusion

NASCAR Cup starts: 190
Wins: 0
Poles: 0

Lost any chance of sneaking into the field when his car developed technical issues in the Duel.

#09 Kenny Wallace
RAB Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 344
Wins: 0
Poles: 3

Was on course to race his way in through the Duel when his car developed a fuel pressure problem, which dropped him off the lead lap. Cruel.

#49 JJ Yeley
Robinson-Blakeney Racing Toyota Camry

NASCAR Cup starts: 143
Wins: 0
Poles: 1

Yeley was once a hot young property, but these days his biggest challenge is securing a place among the starting 43, which he failed to do.

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