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Danica Patrick is in the Daytona 500. Finally.

Years of speculation about Patrick’s skill, or lack of it, will be on full display in North America’s largest race. Sorry Indianapolis 500.

With Patrick’s announcement comes a surprising amount of winners and losers, plus some people who find themselves stuck in the middle. Here’s a breakdown, Bert Convy style.

Amidst all the hype at Daytona last week, there were three things that brought a smile to my face: A.J. Allmendinger’s victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the announcement that Elliott “Rabbit Release” Sadler would be running the 33 car for Richard Childress Racing in the Daytona 500, and the announcement that John Edward Burton III would be running in the Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona. All is not lost with the world.

Of course, you serious fans know that last driver mentioned is better known as Ward Burton, 2002 Daytona 500 winner and older brother of Jeff. As a driver with five career wins in 13 seasons, he may not be the most decorated racer in the world, but if you ask this fan, Ward Burton embodies the “good old boyness” of NASCAR that made it so endearing.

With all the movement of the 2011 off-season, there’s ample opportunity for fresh starts in 2012. It may even pave the way for a breakout star in the mold of Brad Keselowski in 2011. Interestingly enough, 2012’s breakout racer may very well be his new teammate.

He appears to have it all now: he’s got a racer’s name, a racer’s look, a pretty wife at his side, and an improving performance. All he needs now is to to start producing wins, the same way Keselowski did last summer. A.J. Allmendinger now stands in the best position he’s ever been in to have a breakthrough in 2012.

2012 Sprint Cup odds...oh how I've missed you.

The numbers are out. And even though there have been three whopping days of testing at Daytona, the numbers will surprise you. Here are three driver ranked too high and too low.

What an offseason! There hasn't been this much movement since lightning hit the revival tent. With all the postseason silliness and some of the goings on out on the track, there’s plenty of suspense going into 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

With great interest, here's what this observer is watching….