NASCAR Fans, The Wait Is Over as Daytona Roars Back to Life

The wait is over for NASCAR racing fans.  Daytona Speedweeks’ kicks off Friday night. We have the schedule highlights for you.

The first on-track action takes place on Friday evening with two practices in preparation for Saturday night’s annual non-points event, The Sprint Unlimited.  FOXSports 1 will carry the race live.  Coverage starts at 7:00 p.m. (CT).

A total of 18 drivers are entered in The Sprint Unlimited: Jamie McMurray, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Marcos Ambrose, Danica Patrick, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Terry Labonte, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards.

On Sunday, NASCAR sets the front row for the Daytona 500 during Coors Light Pole Qualifying (12:00 p.m. CT on FOX). Last year, Danica Patrick became the first female driver to win a pole in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history, while also becoming only the fourth Sunoco Rookie of the Year to win the pole for the Daytona 500. Eight drivers are competing for rookie honors this season, and all are expected to qualify on Sunday.

Qualifying Sets Daytona 500 Front Row … Sunday’s Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole qualifying is unique in that only the top two positions will be guaranteed. Remaining qualifiers are seeded by qualifying speed into Thursday’s Duel.

For the first time in the race’s history, the Duel at Daytona – twin 60-lap, 150-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 – takes place in primetime. On Thursday, Feb. 20, the remainder of the 43-car Daytona 500 starting grid will be set, starting at 6 p.m. CT (FOX Sports 1).

Championship points racing begins Friday, Feb. 21 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 (6:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports 1). The NASCAR Nationwide Series takes the spotlight Saturday, Feb. 22 in the DRIVE4COPD 300 (12:15 p.m. CT on ESPN).

And finally, on Sunday, Feb. 23, engines crank on the most prestigious race in NASCAR – the Daytona 500. FOX will broadcast the race live at 1 p.m. ET (FOX NASCAR SUNDAY starts at 11:00 a.m. CT on FOX.

Visit NASCAR.com for full the complete Speedweeks schedule

Qualifying Procedure for the Daytona 500: The front-row qualifiers and the highest 15 finishers in each Duel – excluding the front row from qualifying – will earn a spot in the Daytona 500. The next four fastest Coors Light Pole qualifiers will make up positions 33-36. Six provisional starting positions (37 through 42) will be awarded to the highest eligible car owners in final 2013 standings not otherwise qualified for the race. The 43rd position will be filled by the most recent past champion participating in a 2013 event. Should no past champion be eligible, the final position goes to the next highest owner in 2013 points.