Sprint Cup 2015: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Daytona 500 Qualifying

For the first time in its history, the Daytona 500 will switch from single-car qualifying to group qualifying Sunday. While that change doesn't exactly seem to be a popular one—more on that below—there will be a sort of novelty to the entire thing for spectators. 

So with that in mind, below, you'll find the viewing information and a preview of this year's qualifying below. It certainly promises to be something new for NASCAR's signature race.

When: Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:35 p.m. ET (preview show begins at 1 p.m. ET)

Watch: Fox

Stream: Fox Sports Go

Preview

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

This year, the traditional format for qualifying has been altered. Whereas in the past the front row was established through single-car time trials, this year, knockout qualifying will determine the front row.

In essence, the drivers will be separated into two groups for the first round of qualifying. The fastest 24 qualifiers will then be invited to the second round, and the fastest 12 of that group will qualify for the final round. The fastest two drivers from that final group will comprise the front row at the Dayton 500.

In many ways, that completely changes the strategy of qualifying, as drivers are very reliant on the pack they find themselves in for drafting purposes, among other reasons. The old system was all about the driver versus the track. Now, the group of other racers looking to post a time has been added to the fray.

Suffice to say, the change has not been very popular among drivers. Kyle Busch summed up the thoughts of many, per Kenny Bruce of NASCAR.com: 

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I think teams spend all winter long trying to massage a Daytona 500 car to go out there and sit on the pole. The engine builders build strong engines to try to sit on the pole. ... It's all car and engine.
 
Now it's all circumstantial. It doesn't even (take) any driver skill to qualify on the pole for the Daytona 500. It's strictly being able to get out there in the right pack, transfer through and then make it in the right spot when it comes down to the end.

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"There is not really any skill to it," Jamie McMurray added, per Bruce. "I think [winning the pole] is probably most important here because it is the Daytona 500. This is the one time at a plate race that being first or second has some meaning."

And what is expected to transpire is absolute chaos on the track, as Jeff Owens of Sporting News wrote:

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And starting on the front row for the Daytona 500: Josh Wise and J.J. Yeley.

Or maybe: Alex Bowman and Cole Whitt. How about Landon Cassill and Johnny Sauter?

Never heard of them? You might.

It could happen. That's how crazy qualifying for the Daytona 500 is expected to be Sunday after NASCAR has switched to group qualifying at Daytona.

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The thing is, that chaos promises to be wildly entertaining for fans. And that's the rub, the compromise between what is exciting and fresh and fun and what holds up the traditions of the most revered race in NASCAR. 

Drivers will tell you they prefer the traditional system. NASCAR purists probably feel the same. But for more casual fans just there for the show, well, the group qualifying could end up being pretty wild and exhilarating. That's certainly what NASCAR is banking on. 

And what the drivers all seem to be lamenting.