Spotters guide: The 2013 Daytona 500
On Sunday, the biggest race on the NASCAR calendar, the Daytona 500, takes place. Andrew van de Burgt previews the event and runs through the field ahead of the season opener
With almost $20 million of prize money up for grabs, not to mention the honour of adding their name next to the likes of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, it's the race every driver wants to win.
The event also marks the first point-paying outing for NASCAR's Gen 6 racer. The most obvious change to the previous model is that the cars now look like their road-going cousins. Putting the stock back into stock cars is the mantra, and so far everyone seems to agree that they are prettier beasts than the templated cars they replace.
But it's under the skin where the cars are most different, with the introduction of carbon-fibre parts for the first time in NASCAR history. This has made the cars lighter than before, and coupled with a longer nose and shorter tail the handling characteristics have changed a lot.
But some things never change, and it's the same 358ci V8 motor under the hood of the Fords, Chevrolets and Toyotas, Dodge having left the series despite winning the 2012 title with Penske.
What happened last year?
Heavy rain on race day meant for the first time ever the Daytona 500 started on a Monday. The weather was still a factor, which led to one of the race's most enduring images following Juan Pablo Montoya's fiery collision with a track drier.
Ultimately, the race came down to a two-lap dash to the flag. Roush Fenway team-mates Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle linked up at the front, with the Hendrick Chevy of Dale Earnhardt Jr stuck to Biffle's bumper. Kenseth opened up a small but crucial gap as Earnhardt pulled out of Biffle's slipstream to bag a second win, while Junior just snuck by into second.
What's new this year?
Aside from the Gen 6 cars, the other major change has been to the qualifying system. Danica Patrick captured pole with a great lap to pip fellow front row starter Jeff Gordon, but the rest of the order was decided by the results of the Duels, which ran on Thursday.
Here's how the cars will line up for Sunday's race:
Front Row
Stewart-Haas Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 10; wins 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 38th (2012)
Her pole position is already the big story of the 500, but she'll need to show better resolve in the pack than she did last year to turn that into a headline-grabbing finish.
Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 689; Wins: 87; Cup champion 1995, '97, '98, '01; Daytona 500 wins: 3 (1997, '99, '05)
Ended 2012 with a win after being lambasted for his premeditated attack on Clint Bowyer in the previous race.
Still a very fine Cup driver who could yet add to his 500 win tally if not his four Cup titles.
Second Row
Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 430; Wins: 19; Daytona 500 wins: 1 (2007)
'The closer' set out his stall with victory in the non-championship Unlimited race and the opening Duel, and it will be a shock if he's not duking it out for the win on Sunday. One of the very best restrictor plate racers out there.
Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 293; Wins: 24; Best Daytona 500 result: 4th (2008)
After the disappointment of missing the 2012 Chase, Busch will be keen to hit '13 running, but his record in the 500 is pretty dismal for a 24-time race winner. Victorious in the second Duel, which could be a great omen.
Third Row
Roush Fenway Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 366; Wins: 18; Best Daytona 500 result: 3rd (2010, '12)
Always there or thereabouts, Biffle goes into the 500 as one of the favourites. Has come close twice before - could this be his year?
Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 342; Wins: 14; Best Daytona 500 result: 7th (2007, '08)
After an underwhelming start to his Hendrick career, Kahne came on strong during the second half of 2012 and should be among the fancied runners for 500 glory.
Fourth Row
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 217; Wins: 2; Best Daytona 500 result: 6th (2011)
Montoya is a great pack racer and drafting partner, but hasn't got the results to show for it. The Ganassi car didn't look like it had the legs in the Unlimited race, but was strong in the Duel.
Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 2; Wins: 0; First Daytona 500 start
The grandson of his team owner Richard Childress, Dillon is one of just two Daytona 500 rookies in the field.
He's on a steep learning curve, but at least knows the team is behind him.
Fifth Row
Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 399; Wins: 60; Cup champion 2006, '07, '08, '09, '10; Daytona 500 wins: 1 (2006)
For all his Cups, there's just one Daytona 500 trophy in Johnson's cabinet. It would be foolhardy to write him off, but Hendrick's unreliability must be a concern.
Michael Waltrip Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 253; Wins: 8; Best Daytona 500 result: 4th (2010)
Transformed into a title contender by his switch to Waltrip, Bowyer should be right in the mix for the 500. If he can link up with his team boss in the draft they could be formidable.
Sixth Row
Furniture Row Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 435; Wins: 24; Cup champion 2004; Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (2005, 08)
Another team and another fresh start for NASCAR's bad boy. He's quick enough, the car has Childress support, but will he keep his temper - and the car out of the wall?
Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 472; Wins: 24; Cup champion 2003; Daytona 500 wins: 2 (2009, '11)
The defending Daytona 500 champion has switched to Joe Gibbs Racing, and his form in the Unlimited race showed this hasn't blunted his competitiveness. A sure-fire contender.
Seventh Row
Stewart-Haas Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 500, Wins: 47, Cup champion (2002, '05, '11); Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (2004)
The three-time Cup champion has won 18 times at Daytona but success in the 500 continues to elude him. Surely this anomaly will end, but is this the year for that?
Michael Waltrip Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 854; Wins: 40; Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (2007)
This veteran has lost none of his speed nor his desire despite his 54 years. The car should be quick enough for him to run at the front, could this be the fairytale story of the 500?
Eighth Row
Penske Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 125; wins 9; Cup champion 2012; Best Daytona 500 result: 29th (2011)
Keselowski won the Cup title last season, but his record in the 500 is nothing to write home about. Roush Ford power should make him a contender this weekend however.
Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 219; Wins: 1; Best Daytona 500 result: 6th (2012)
After a breakthrough season in 2011, '12 was a disappointment for Menard. But he ran well to sixth in last year's 500, and could once again be a dark horse this time around.
Ninth Row
Germain Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 344; Wins: 1; Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (2006)
Mears is still capable of springing surprise results despite his race-winning days becoming a dimming memory. How good the Germain Gen 6 car is will determine where he runs.
Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 655; Wins: 21; Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (2000)
Veteran Burton hasn't won a race since 2008 and endured an underwhelming '12. Surely he won't have many more chances to win the 500.
Tenth Row
Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 469; Wins: 19; Daytona 500: wins 1 (2004)
Still the most popular driver in NASCAR, he rediscovered his mojo in 2012 and was a regular frontrunner. Just listen to the roar if he claims a second 500 on Sunday - something he's very capable of delivering.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Cup starts 366, Wins: 6, Daytona 500 wins: 1 (2010)
Winner of the 500 in 2010, McMurray is a restrictor-plate racing specialist. After a terrible 2012, a strong run in the 500 is needed to get him and Ganassi back on track.
Eleventh Row
Penske Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 147; Wins: 2; Best Daytona 500 result: 9th (2012)
Booted out of Gibbs to make room for Kenseth, Logano joins champion Keselowski's Penske team to form an exciting young line-up. Should be in the mix up at the front.
Front Row Motorsports (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 218; Wins: 1; Best Daytona 500 result: 5th (2007)
Ragan took his sole Cup career win in the summer Daytona race in 2010 and will be looking to spring a surprise for the unfancied Front Row outfit.
Twelfth Row
JTG/Daugherty Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 690; Wins: 21; Cup champion 2000; Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (1998)
The 2000 Cup champion is no longer one of the fancied runners, but JTG/Daugherty builds a good car and he could feature among the lead pack, as he did in '11 when he took fourth.
Richard Petty Motorsports (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 155; Wins: 2; Best Daytona 500 result: 13th (2012)
The two-time V8 Supercar champ is more than just a road-course specialist, as shown by his top 10 qualifying position for last year's 500. Could be a dark horse for a top 10 run.
Thirteenth Row
Front Row Motorsports (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 222; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 3rd (2011)
A solid and experienced racer who can spring a surprise when given the opportunity. A repeat of his third place in 2011 would be a shock, but decent top-20 finish wouldn't be.
Richard Petty Motorsports (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 71; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 30th (2009)
The man sporting the most famous number in NASCAR has a lot to live up to. Doesn't have much in the way of form in the 500, but has the car to potentially allow him to shine.
Fourteenth Row
NEMCO Motorsports (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 618; Wins: 4; Best Daytona 500 result: 6th (2004)
The 'front row' days are long gone, with start-and-park now the fate for a man who was once one of the fastest out there. A sorry state of affairs really.
Roush Fenway Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 5; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 20th (2012)
Reigning Nationwide Series champion Stenhouse takes over the 2012 500 winning #17 entry of Kenseth. Will be aiming for top rookie honours and a top-10 finish.
Fifteenth Row
Swan Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 770; Wins: 4; Daytona 500 wins: 2 (2001, 03)
All of Waltrip's four wins have been in plate races, but after failing to make the field last year he may feel his chances of adding to that are fading. Has been very quick in practice.
Tommy Baldwin Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 431; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 14th (2005)
The introduction of the Gen 6 car has made things even tougher for minnow outfits like Tommy Baldwin's team. A repeat of last year's top-20 finish would be a great result.
Sixteenth Row
Leavine Family Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 106; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 19th (2010)
From Formula 1 to start-and-park in just a few short years. Motor racing is a fickle sport as Speed's unfortunate and rapid descent demonstrates.
Front Row Motorsports (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 34; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: n/a
Wise has been around the Cup scene for a few years now, but this is the first time he's made the field for the 500. Don't expect fireworks from the 30-year-old.
Seventeenth Row
Wood Brothers Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 34; Wins: 1; Daytona 500 wins: 1 (2011)
Bayne was a shock winner in 2011, but has shown himself to be a fine plate racer subsequently. It won't be such a shock if he wins the 500 again. Expect him to feature at the front.
Stewart-Haas Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 404; Wins: 16; Daytona 500 wins: 1 (2008)
A great plate racer, Newman should be right in the mix to add to his 2008 title. But with Harvick on his way to Stewart-Haas, will he be thinking of helping his boss or his own race?
Eighteenth Row
Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 259; Wins: 22; Best 500 finish: 4th 2012
The fastest driver in NASCAR? Maybe, but despite his undoubted pace, success in the 500 has eluded him. Should be at the sharp end, but can he make it stick?
Roush Fenway Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 301; Wins: 19; Best Daytona 500 result: 2nd (2011)
After a stellar 2011, Edwards had a dire win-less '12. Has the car, the skills and the desire to start 2013 with a bang, but a heavy crash in the Duel wasn't an auspicious beginning.
Nineteenth Row
Michael Waltrip Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 261; Wins: 1; Best Daytona 500 result: 6th 2010
Truex has been threatening to add to his single Cup win for the past couple of seasons, without cracking it. His 500 form isn't great, but he has the machinery to run at the front.
Phil Parsons Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 114; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 30th (2012)
Another driver and another team making up the numbers. Did well to qualify, will do well to feature on the television coverage.
Twentieth Row
FAS Lane Racing (Ford Fusion)
Starts: 881; Wins: 22; Cup Champion (1984, '96); Best 500 finish: 2nd (1986, '90, '97)
Labonte was once a NASCAR superstar. Those days are long gone. Now he's more likely to start-and-park than he is to crack the top 20. You have to wonder why he bothers.
Phoenix Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 165; Wins: 1; Best Daytona 500 result: 7th (2011)
After drive-swapping with Kurt Busch, Smith will be keen to show his new employer what he can do (and his old one what it is missing). Hendrick links mean it's a good car...
Twenty-first Row
Tommy Baldwin Racing (Chevrolet SS)
Starts: 167; Wins: 0; Best Daytona 500 result: 12th (2007)
Once a bright young thing, now making up the numbers towards the back of the grid. Unlikely to be pulling up any stumps on Sunday.
BK Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 196; Wins: 2; Best result 5th (2010)
BK is the team that rose from the ashes of the Red Bull effort, but it's far cry from a well-resourced race-winning outfit. Reutimann is a solid pedaller though.
Twenty-second Row
BK Racing (Toyota Camry)
Starts: 210; Wins: 0; Best 500 finish: 19th (2005)
In every race in every series, someone has to make up the tail-end. This, unfortunately, is the fate that awaits Kvapil on Sunday.
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