Daytona 500 2015: TV Info, Last-Minute Predictions for the Great American Race

It's finally here. The race the entire NASCAR world waits for every year to kick off the season is finally about to have the green flag wave. Yes, the 2015 Daytona 500 is officially about to get underway after nearly a year of waiting.

For those who missed out on Speedweeks, quite a bit has already taken place.

Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr., three Hendrick drivers, make up the top three. Kurt Busch has been suspended due to his domestic-assault charges and will be replaced by Regan Smith. Kyle Busch, Kurt's younger brother, suffered a broken leg during the Xfinity race, per Bob Pockrass of ESPN. Matt Crafton will take his spot for Joe Gibbs Racing.

This will mark the first time since 2000 that neither of the Busch brothers will participate in the Great American Race.

Though the sport will be without two of its biggest stars, Sunday still promises to be an enthralling one for NASCAR fans. Leading up to the massive event, here's a look at the last-minute predictions and full schedule.

Daytona 500 Information

Where: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida

When: Sunday, Feb. 22

Start Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Radio: Motor Racing Network

Predicted Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Before getting to the reasons why Dale Earnhardt Jr. will win on Sunday, let's take a look at his past on the illustrious track.

Since 2000, when Junior burst onto the scene with his top-10 start and 13th-place finish in his first-ever Daytona 500, it was clear he would be a fan favorite. What he's done since then is win at Daytona. Quite a bit, in fact, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

However, the account also points out just how rare it is to repeat:

Junior is also brimming with confidence after last season. From 2005 through 2013, Earnhardt won just four races and looked like a struggling star. In 2014 alone, the No. 88 car visited Victory Lane four times before coming up short in the Chase.

Needless to say, last season was a bit of a surprise that started with that victory. Now, he comes into 2015 as the driver to beat at the track. He showed that during the Budweiser Duels, going from the back of the pack to win the first twin race.

Having a dominant car gives Earnhardt assurance that he can run near the front again on Sunday, via Jeff Owens of Sporting News:

"

My car just took off like a rocket. That surprised me, the way the car reacted to that. This car's been surprising me left and right.

This car is finishing the passes that other cars haven't been able to finish. Real excited to see what we'll be able to do Sunday. ... It finishes a lot of moves. It kind of surprised me. It does a couple things that surprised me out there in the race. So I felt like the car made the job a lot easier.

"

Even having a new crew chief calling the shots in Greg Ives doesn't appear to be slowing down Junior. After all, both got acquainted with Victory Lane on Thursday night.

Every Hendrick machine will be fast on Sunday. Gordon has the mettle to win, as he's done three times in the past. Johnson is hoping to tie Gordon this season after already winning two of his own.

But no car has been as fast as Earnhardt's during Speedweeks.

If he can simply keep a clean car as he has all week, Earnhardt should be dominant on Sunday. There are a lot of factors outside of the cockpit that can affect him, but it should be Junior collecting another checkered flag from Daytona.

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