Major testing is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, giving most drivers the chance to check out the new asphalt. The entire track — measuring 1.4 million square feet of the speedway — was repaved in the offseason after the infamous pothole scenario that affected the 2010 Daytona 500. But this was a much-needed complete makeover. The track had not been repaved since 1978.

"I think this Daytona 500 will be the best one," said Cup champ Jimmie Johnson, who got a sneak peek at the track prepping for the Rolex 24 race. "We all talk so much about the fall Talladega race and how we don't have any fun because we all have something to lose, but what's fun about the Daytona 500 is that we look at it as a single event."

Bud Shootout field set: The envelope please: Here are your competitors for the 2011 Bud Shootout, scheduled Feb. 12 at Daytona.

Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton qualify because they competed in the Chase for the Championship.

Here is the rest of the field and their qualifying criteria: John Andretti (Coke Zero 400), Geoff Bodine (Daytona 500, Budweiser Shootout), Kevin Conway (Series Rookie of the Year), Derrike Cope (Daytona 500); Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Budweiser Shootout), Bill Elliott (Series champion, Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Budweiser Shootout), Kasey Kahne (Series Rookie of the Year), Bobby Labonte (Series champion), Terry Labonte (Series champion, Budweiser Shootout), Joey Logano (Series Rookie of the Year), Sterling Marlin (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400), Mark Martin (Budweiser Shootout), Jamie McMurray (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Series Rookie of the Year), Juan Pablo Montoya (Series Rookie of the Year), Ryan Newman (Daytona 500, Series Rookie of the Year), Ken Schrader (Budweiser Shootout), Regan Smith (Series Rookie of the Year), Michael Waltrip (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400).

As always, the race will be 75 laps (187.5 miles), consisting of two segments — 25 and 50 laps.

Bittersweet return: One of the many significant notes and storylines as we approach the 10th anniversary of the death of Dale Earnhardt on the last lap of the Daytona 500 involves Waltrip. The race winner from that day, Waltrip will be competing in his 25th consecutive Daytona 500.

— George Diaz