Daytona 500 2012: Danica Patrick and Star Drivers to Watch on Sunday
The 2012 Daytona 500 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and intriguing races in recent memory.
Well, at least since the finale of the 2011 NASCAR season at Homestead, where Tony Stewart surpassed Carl Edwards on the track and in the standings to win the Sprint Cup.
But aside from Edwards, who earned pole position at qualifying this past Sunday, who should you keep track of at the "Great American Race"?
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Danica Patrick
Much of the buzz surrounding the Dayton 500 has emanated from Danica Patrick, and rightfully so. The former IndyCar Series star is on hiatus from open-wheel racing to pursue a full-time run in NASCAR, with Sunday's season opener serving as a second debut of sorts.
Patrick has driven in 25 NASCAR events in her career, though she's yet to get behind the wheel at the Great American Race. A strong finish at Daytona may well serve as a slingshot of sorts to launch her stock-car career in the right direction.
Tony Stewart
Patrick will be driving the No. 10 GoDaddy.com car for Stewart-Haas Racing on Sunday, alongside none other than team owner Tony Stewart.
Stewart has never won the Daytona 500, but does have six top-10 finishes in 13 tries under his belt, including three top-five finishes. He'll look to begin his Sprint Cup title defense on the right foot (or is it wheel?) at Daytona, with his sights set firmly on starting the season just as he finished the last.
That is, by edging out Carl Edwards.
Trevor Bayne
As much excitement as the big-name drivers will bring to the field on Sunday, let's not leave Trevor Bayne without at least some modicum of respect. The newly-minted 21-year-old is the defending champ at Daytona after becoming the youngest to finish first at the Great American Race at the age of 20 and one day last year.
That proved to be Bayne's only top-10 finish of the season, though it was still enough to earn him a spot in this year's field. He'll be out to prove that last year's surprising win was no fluke, even if it may have looked like one after slumping through the rest of the schedule.
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