This Sunday marks the start of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, with the top drivers already gathered in Florida for “The Great American Race,” the Daytona 500. With two days still to go until the race itself, there has already been a lot of news about the events leading up to Sunday, from the new qualifying process to the arguments between drivers.

One of the more prominent stories is the fact that 2015 is the final full-time season for Jeff Gordon. The man whose name has been synonymous with NASCAR for over a decade is already the sentimental favorite to win his fourth 500 title, and having won the pole during qualifying, it appears as if the stars may align for #24 to begin his swan song with a win in the most important NASCAR race. Here are some of the highlights from last Sunday’s qualifying run, uploaded by Fox Sports’ YouTube channel.

There’s just something special about the Daytona 500 (and the Indianapolis 500, too, for that matter) that allows it to appeal to casual racing fans, and non-racing fans as well. Is it Daytona being on the popular racing game one sees at arcades around the country? Or when one watches the race on television, most years viewing a bright and sunny Florida day in February? In 2015, it could be Gordon starting the year with a win at the first race of the season, one that’s regarded as the most prestigious race.

Will Gordon complete the narrative with a win? What about defending 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., or reigning Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick? Leave a comment below!