Daytona 500 2012: Most Exciting Drivers to Watch in the Great American Race

The offseason for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is short and swift. Only a few months ago we saw Tony Stewart win his third championship, finally snapping Jimmy Johnson's streak of five straight titles.

The championship came down to the very last race of the season with Stewart out dueling Carl Edwards as the pair finished first and second in the final race.

The NSCS can only hope to have a season as exciting as 2011, and it all starts this weekend.

Tony Stewart

The reigning champ is always worth a watch. He knows when and where to push his car, and he's as fiery a driver as you'll find in the country.

He backs down from no one and races by the seat of his pants.

Stewart is going to come back this season and look to get off to a strong start.

Kyle Busch

The winner of the 2012 Bud Shootout is too wild at times, and it nearly cost him his job at the end of the season.

He knows he needs to mature this season and he knows, as evidenced by his Shootout win, that it starts immediately.

Busch will still race with attitude, though, and that makes him an exciting watch.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The name alone carries enough weight, but Jr.'s winless 2011 is something he's out to change immediately.

He still made the Chase last year despite that winless season and that is a testament to his talent.

He'll be out to win as often as possible this year.

Danica Patrick

The new full-time NASCAR driver is guaranteed a start in the 500. Every time she takes the track it is something worth watching because she's actually shown a good ability to flash enough to earn a checkered.

This year she'll be out to prove she belongs.