2013 Daytona 500 entry list features 45 drivers competing for 43 spots

NASCAR has released the entry list for the 55th Annual Daytona 500, and it features 45 drivers competing for spots in the 43-car field.

Among the drivers entered are nine former winners of the “Great American Race,” including defending champ Matt Kenseth, who also won in 2009, Jeff Gordon (1997, ‘99, ‘05), Trevor Bayne (‘11), Jamie McMurray (‘10), Ryan Newman (‘08), Kevin Harvick (‘07), Jimmie Johnson (‘06), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (‘04) and Michael Waltrip (‘01, ‘03).

Austin Dillon, driving a fourth car for Richard Childress Racing, and Josh Wise, driving a third entry for Front Row Motorsports, are the only two drivers attempting to make their first 500 start.

The front row for the Daytona 500 will be determined during qualifying Sunday, with the balance of the field -- 30 cars -- to be set via two qualifying races to be held Thursday, Feb. 21. The rest of the starting lineup will consist of the next four-fastest drivers getting in on their qualifying speeds, with the remainder of the lineup to be filled out by the seven teams highest in owner points from the 2012 season.

The 55th running of the Daytona 500 will take the green flag on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. ET.

Here is the complete entry list for the 2013 Daytona 500 (with car number in parentheses):

(1) Jamie McMurray / Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet

(2) Brad Keselowski / Penske Racing, Ford

(5) Kasey Kahne / Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

(7) Dave Blaney / Tommy Baldwin Racing, Chevrolet

(9) Marcos Ambrose / Richard Petty Motorsports, Ford

(10) Danica Patrick / Stewart-Haas Racing, Chevrolet

(11) Denny Hamlin / Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota

(13) Casey Mears / Germain Racing, Ford

(14) Tony Stewart / Stewart-Haas Racing, Chevrolet

(15) Clint Bowyer / Michael Waltrip Racing, Toyota

(16) Greg Biffle / Roush Fenway Racing, Ford

(17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / Roush Fenway Racing, Ford

(18) Kyle Busch / Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota

(19) Mike Bliss / Humphrey-Smith Racing, Chevrolet

(20) Matt Kenseth / Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota

(21) Trevor Bayne / Wood Brothers Racing, Ford

(22) Joey Logano / Penske Racing, Ford

(24) Jeff Gordon / Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

(26) Michael Waltrip / Swan Racing, Toyota

(27) Paul Menard / Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet

(29) Kevin Harvick / Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet

(31) Jeff Burton / Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet

(32) Terry Labonte / FAS Lane Racing, Ford

(33) Austin Dillon / Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet

(34) David Ragan / Front Row Motorsports, Ford

(35) Josh Wise / Front Row Motorsports, Ford

(36) J.J. Yely / Tommy Baldwin Racing, Chevrolet

(38) David Gilliland / Front Row Motorsports, Ford

(39) Ryan Newman / Stewart-Haas Racing, Chevrolet

(42) Juan Pablo Montoya / Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet

(43) Aric Almirola / Richard Petty Motorsports, Ford

(47) Bobby Labonte / JTG/Daugherty Racing, Toyota

(48) Jimmie Johnson / Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

(51) Regan Smith / Phoenix Racing, Chevrolet

(52) Brian Keselowski / Brian Keselowski Racing, Toyota

(55) Mark Martin / Michael Waltrip Racing, Toyota

(56) Martin Truex Jr. / Michael Waltrip Racing, Toyota

(78) Kurt Busch / Furniture Row Racing, Chevrolet

(83) David Reutimann / BK Racing, Toyota

(87) Joe Nemechek / NEMCO Motorsports, Toyota

(88) Dale Earnhardt Jr. / Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

(93) Travis Kvapil / BK Racing, Toyota

(95) Scott Speed / No. 95, Leavine Family Racing, Ford

(98) Michael McDowell / Phil Parsons Racing, Ford

(99) Carl Edwards / Roush Fenway Racing, Ford