Starting grid and comments for Sunday's Daytona 500

Earned his first pole at Daytona and led the first front-row sweep at the 500 for Roush Fenway Racing.

Led much of the second 150-mile duel race Thursday before falling back on the final lap.

Defending Sprint Cup champion has won everything there is to win at Daytona except the 500.

Comes off a strong season in which he won three races and finished fourth in Sprint Cup points.

NASCAR's most popular driver is coming off a third consecutive winless season.

Coming off a career-best 26th in Sprint Cup points and a Darlington win for his team.

Has looked stronger on ovals and had 12 top-10 finishes last season, his first for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Five-time Sprint Cup champ won the 500 in 2006 but has had nothing but trouble in the race since.

New crew chief Drew Blickensderfer arrives on the heels of three consecutive winless seasons.

Looked strong in his 150-miler Thursday but does not have a full-time Sprint Cup ride.

Raced his way in in a 150-mile duel for what was mostly a start-and-park team last year.

The 21-year-old, in the final year of his contract, has a new crew chief, Jason Ratcliff.

Hopes to start a title push after finishing third in Sprint Cup in consecutive years.

Won the Budweiser Shootout after two spectacular saves prevented wrecks.

Makes his debut for Penske. Won the 24-hour race at Daytona this year.

Has won this race three times but hasn't had a top-10 finish in the 500 since 2007 (10th).

Raced in in a duel for his own team, which lacks the cash to run the full season.

Rejuvenated with Stewart-Haas, had 17 top-10 finishes last year, most since 2003.

Won this race in 2010 after leading two laps. Had a rough 2011, finishing 27th in Sprint Cup points.

Has two top-fives in 16 Daytona starts, not the ideal place for his Hendrick Motorsports debut.

Has one chance to try to win sponsors for a team Jack Roush otherwise plans to shut down.

Cutting back his schedule, won't run all Sprint Cup races this season. Makes his 28th start in the 500.

Coming off a breakthrough season, with three wins and a spot in the Chase.

Has never finished in the top 10 in 22 starts at Daytona; raced his way in in a duel.

Despite getting first career win in July at Daytona, was bounced from Roush Fenway and moved to Front Row.

Enters his third season at Michael Waltrip Racing still looking for his first victory with the team.

Tampa native makes his first start in the 500 since 2009, when he finished 30th.

Has been second three times in the 500 but has yet to win a Cup race at Daytona.

Arrives from IndyCar to make her Sprint Cup debut today. Perhaps you have heard.

Qualifying speed was wiped out after his car failed inspection in his debut for Michael Waltrip Racing.

After a poor season by his standards, Joe Gibbs pulled a coup by landing title-winning crew chief Darian Grubb.

Finished fourth in last year's 500, nearly pulling off an upset for his small JTG-Daugherty team.

Was 30th in Sprint Cup points last year but was outstanding in restrictor-plate races, including third in the 500.

Ex-Lakeland driver mostly starts and parks. Started all 36 Cup races in 2011, finished only at Daytona in July.

Has a new crew chief, Chris Heroy. Has no top-fives in 10 Daytona starts.

Failed to qualify for last year's 500 but ran the rest of the races for Germain Racing.

Isn't a fan of pack racing and expressed as much after a wreck in a Thursday 150-mile duel race.

Zephyrhills native is with BK Racing here but mostly will spell Patrick with Tommy Baldwin's No. 10 team.

Makes his 500 debut for BK Racing, which bought the assets from defunct Red Bull.

Defending 500 champion started pretty far back last year, too, 32nd.

Made the race on qualifying speed for the third Front Row Motorsports entry.

Made the field on speed for Inception Motorsports, which ran a part-time slate last year.

Oldest driver in the field, 55; made the race on a past champion's provisional.