Daytona 500 Schedule 2012: Veterans with New Teams to Watch on Sunday

With the Daytona 500 nearly upon us, the NASCAR Sprint Cup season is ready to get into full swing. While many of the usual suspects will be returning with the same teams and paint schemes, others made switches during the offseason by choice or necessity.

Changing teams has proven very fruitful for drivers like Kyle Busch in the past, but Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is a prime example of the grass not always being greener on the other side. It will certainly be interesting to see how the same old suspects fare, but how the newly-acquired free agents race will be something to look out for as well.

Here are three veteran drivers with new teams to keep an eye on this Sunday.

Kurt Busch

After constantly berating his pit crew and displaying a severe attitude problem, Penske Racing got fed up with Kurt Busch and decided to go in a different direction with the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge. This left Busch looking for work elsewhere, but teams weren't exactly knocking on his door. This caused him to settle on little-known Phoenix Racing, with which he will control the No. 51 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet.

It obviously seems like a huge step down for the former Sprint Cup champion, but it's important to consider that Phoenix purchases cars from Hendrick Motorsports and uses Hendrick engines as well, so his equipment shouldn't be significantly worse than the likes of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Busch figures to fly under the radar this year and isn't expected to do much, but he has a chance to put Phoenix Racing on the map with a strong Daytona 500 showing.

Kasey Kahne

Despite driving for the under-funded Red Bull Racing team last season, Kasey Kahne made lemonade out of lemons by finishing a respectable 14th in the final standings. Kahne was simply biding his time last season, though, as he struck a deal to join Hendrick Motorsports and take over Mark Martin's No. 5 Chevrolet in 2012. Kahne is a supreme talent, so it will be very intriguing to see what he'll able to do with the best equipment and team he's ever had.

Drafting has always been a huge part of the Daytona 500, but last year, that became even more apparent when it essentially turned into a pairs race. The only person Kahne could count on last season was Brian Vickers, but on Sunday, there is the possibility of working with several talented teammates in the form of Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Kahne may be the black sheep of Hendrick Motorsports for now, but he could be in for a banner year.

A.J. Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger has slowly but surely gotten better over the past few seasons, resulting in a 15th-place finish last year. Allmendinger has always been overmatched, driving the iconic No. 43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports, but he takes a big step up this season as he takes over Kurt Busch's old ride with Penske Racing. Allmendinger has plenty of talent and has always gotten the most out of it, so racing fans are excited to see what he can do this year.

If Allmendinger's history of improvement continues, then there is a chance that 2012 could bring him his first career victory, and perhaps a spot in the Chase. In terms of a new contender emerging this season, Allmendinger is clearly the prime candidate. Perhaps he isn't a driver with the same stature as Kurt Busch, but he should do Penske proud.

 

Daytona 500 TV Schedule

Sunday, Feb, 26 at 12 p.m. EST on FOX