CONCORD, N.C. – The 2015 season is nearly here.
This Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, drivers prepare for the Daytona 500 with the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway. The wild race contains 75 laps of adrenaline-rushing competition, and part of the format is chosen by fans.
Here's a look at what to keep an eye on in the non-points race.
THIS WEEK'S PAINT SCHEMES: Kasey Kahne will drive the No. 5 Great Clips Chevrolet SS, Jeff Gordon will pilot the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS, Jimmie Johnson will man the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet SS, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will race the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS.
SPRINT UNLIMITED FORMAT: This year's 75-lap Sprint Unlimited will be divided into two segments. The first segment contains 25 laps and will be followed by a competition caution. The remaining 50 laps will comprise the second segment, concluding the season kickoff event.
FAN-PICKED POSITONS: Starting positions and pit road positions will be determined on Friday, Feb. 13, at 3:30 p.m. ET through a random drawing by fans paired with participating crew chiefs.
GETTING IN THE FIELD: With the new Sprint Unlimited format, drivers are eligible to compete if they won at least one pole during the 2014 season, are former winners of the Sprint Unlimited event, are a former pole winner of the Daytona 500 or were one of the 16 driver to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup last season.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS AT SPRINT UNLIMITED: All four Hendrick Motorsports drivers will participate in the event. Qualifying as a previous Sprint Unlimited winner (2003, 2008) is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Six-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson qualifies as a 2014 pole winner (Charlotte) and both Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon earned positions as they qualified for the Chase last season.
TUNE-IN INFORMATION: The first NASCAR Sprint Cup practice for the Sprint Unlimited takes place on Friday, Feb. 13, at Daytona International Speedway at 5 p.m. ET. Driver will have one hour on the track before final practice begins at 6:30 p.m. The season kickoff, non-points race will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast on FOX, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.