On Wednesday, 45 drivers will qualify for the 67th annual Daytona 500. Nine open cars - including Helio Castroneves, who is guaranteed a starting spot even if he does not qualify via qualifying or the duels - will vie for four spots in Sunday's 'Great American Race'.

The NASCAR Cup Series’ crown-jewel race, the Daytona 500, is here, with 45 cars entered for the Great American Race. With 45 entered, five will fail to qualify following the Thursday Duel races, barring any entry list changes. In addition to the 36 chartered entries, nine open cars will try to make their way into the field.

The Daytona 500 has NASCAR's most unique — and complicated — qualifying format. And it got more convoluted this year with the largest number of entrants in a decade and a new rule that could add a 41st driver to the 40-car field.

The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Daytona International Speedway this weekend for the 67th running of the “Great American Race,” and the initial entry list shows 45 drivers attempting to make the 40-car field.