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Everyone has looked forward to Tony Stewart’s return for months. On Saturday, Smoke finally returned to the No. 14 Chevrolet for the Sprint Unlimited. Earlier in the day, however, his race car suffered engine failure during NSCS practice, relegating him to the back of the starting field for the Budweiser Duel and Daytona 500. He’d love nothing more than to add a win in the Great American Race to his resume, but his starting position will make it difficult to erase his 0-for-15 record. His fans are encouraged to use #StandWithSmoke throughout Speedweeks.

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Last February, Jimmie Johnson began what became his sixth championship season with a victory in the Daytona 500. Johnson hopes to duplicate both feats this year, starting with a win in the 56th running of the Daytona 500. Only three drivers have won back-to-back Daytona 500s previously: Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Sterling Marlin (1994-95). A third victory in the race would add the California driver to an elite list that includes Petty (seven), Yarborough (four), Dale Jarrett (three), Bobby Allison (three) and Jeff Gordon (three). Johnson posted his first Daytona 500 win in 2006.

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2012 DAYTONA 500 LogoOne thing is guaranteed regarding the Daytona 500 … Austin Dillon and Martin Truex Jr. comprise the front row. That is, of course, if they don’t suffer any complications during the Duels on Thursday night. The remaining will be seeded according to the Duels. The highest 15 finishers in each Duel race – excluding Dillon and Truex – will fill positions 3-32. The top-15 finishers in the first Duel race will line up on the inside row, while the top 15 from the second race will comprise the outside row. The four fastest drivers from qualifying who have not already earned a spot will be slotted in positions 33-36. Positions 37-42 are provisional positions with the final spot going to the car owner with the most recent eligible past NSCS champion.