Daytona 500 Predictions: Power Ranking Favorites to Win NASCAR's Biggest Race

The 2012 Daytona 500 is sure to be exciting this Sunday, and there a few drivers that certainly have an upper hand over their competition. 

Anybody can win the big race, but those with great experience and a solid pole position have a fantastic chance at starting off the NASCAR season in a perfect way by ending the race in victory lane. 

It's rare for a sport to have it's biggest event of the year to kickoff the season, but NASCAR is able to thrive off of it. 

The drivers spend the entire offseason looking ahead to the Daytona 500, and every one of them is ready to rock. 

With that said, here are the favorites to win the 2012 Daytona 500. 

Carl Edwards 

After capturing the pole position for the first time in his career at Daytona 500, Edwards' confidence is sky high. 

In the history of the race, the winner has come from the top pole spot nine times. Edwards has never won it, but this year is his best shot. 

He's a huge rising star in NASCAR and being out front to start the race will give him a major advantage on Sunday. 

Tony Stewart 

After winning the Gatorade Duel, Stewart will start in the third position behind Edwards and Greg Biffle. As the reigning NASCAR champ for last season, Stewart is entering this year with superb confidence.

Stewart has won 17 times at the Daytona 500, but none of those victories have come on the right day, Sunday. He knows how to race there and he will use his Gatorade Duel victory as momentum for Sunday. 

Those who start the race in the front row, which is where Stewart will be, typically finish strong. In the history of the race, 17 winners have come from the front row, so look for Stewart to shine. 

Jeff Gordon 

Having won the Daytona 500 three times in his career, Gordon's experience in the big race will help him thrive on Sunday. 

Even though he hasn't won since 2005, Gordon is still a strong contender to win Sunday's race. Gordon knows how to take care of business at Daytona and he'll do just that the minute the drivers start their engines.

This is a huge event for Gordon, as he could win his fourth Daytona 500, which would help him inch closer to the all-time leader, Richard Petty.