It has finally come.  Nearly three months of sitting at home, not hearing any rumbling of motors, no rubber being burned on asphalt, and no fans roaring at the top of their lungs.

Sunday afternoon, the anticipation is over.  A field of 43 drivers have come together to compete for NASCAR's most prized and rewarded trophy besides the championship.  Past drivers waited years to get this win, others have tasted in on many occasions, and other still long to have their name etched on the trophy.

On a newly-paved Daytona International Speedway, it is being billed as the most anticipated race since this track was built.  The speeds are up, the concerns are many, but the excitement is overwhelming.

What will happen on Sunday is one driver will have the honor of taking home the greatest prize in this sport.

But, just who is going to win the "Great American Race?"  Well, we have 12 writers who are ready to make their decision.  Yes, this is the first official week of the Fan Vs. Fan Victory Pool.  Points now count toward a season-ending championship.

So, without any more hesitation, here's the picks for the 53rd Annual Daytona 500.

 

Misan Ayuka (The Misan Ayuka Report):  Tony Stewart

Darrell Waltrip had to try 17 times to win his Daytona 500.  Dale Earnhardt had to try 20 times to his Daytona 500. How about Tony Stewart?Smoke has done everything at Daytona but win the 500.  He has won theJuly classic three times, two Iroc races at Daytona, five nationwideraces (three of which are in a row) three budshootouts and twogatorade duels.  That is 15 races won at Daytona.Stewart is due and he really wants to win the 500.  This will be his13th try and it could be his year.

 

James Broomhead (The Checkered Flag):  Kevin Harvick

Despite all NASCAR's best efforts, the two-car drafts still ruled the Duels, so for the 500 expect to see the same cars up front as in the 150's and in the Shootout last weekend.  That said Kurt Busch is the obvious pick, but a sweep of Speedweeks is going to be tricky to complete, so I'll pin my hopes on Harvick.

The man has been among the best in both races so for at Daytona, has proved he can run in the two-car tango as well as anyone, has plenty of potenial partners on the track and, well, is just sorted on 'Plate tracks.

But we're all picking blindfolded, despite the biggest build up of any race.  We have a new Daytona and the racing is subtly changing and it is STILL a restrictor plate race, so anything can happen.

 

Kelly Crandall (Speedway Media):  Kurt Busch

I've gone back and forth between a few drivers and wasn't going to go with Busch until just now. He's won the Budweiser Shootout and his Duel race and finally seems to have found the mojo to break his restrictor plate winless drought.

That Dodge is just fast and I gotta go with the favorite for Sunday, he has three second place finishes already in the Daytona 500, he's going for it now.

 

Summer Dreyer (Next Time By):  Clint Bowyer

I'm picking Bowyer because I feel he is one of the most underrated restrictor plate drivers. Remember that, before the Shootout, Bowyer was the last restrictor plate winner after pulling off the victory at Talladega last Halloween. Plus, Bowyer has been running at the finish of every single points race he has run at Daytona, which is something even some of the sport's best drivers can't say.

In fact, of his 10 starts, he has only finished outside of the top 10 four times. Call me crazy, but I definitely think this Kansas native will be a contender this Sunday.

 

Billy Fellin (Bleacher Report):  Kurt Busch

He had success in the 2-car and apparently now double 2's is just as good. Busch has been one of the strongest cars the entire Speedweeks with winning the Shootout and the first Duel race.

I foresee a drag race to the end with Busch, Harvick and possibly Kenseth. I think Busch will come out on top though.

 

Michael Hirshbein (FanVsFan):  Kevin Harvick

RCR has been strong at Daytona.  I don't expect anything different.

 

Christopher Leone (Fan Huddle):  Jeff Burton

RCR's going to be good again this year, and he won his duel. He's got his teammates up there, and they're all going to be strong. Richard Childress is confident in his team's ability to knock Jimmie Johnson off this year - with just about any of his drivers - and Daytona would be a good start.

 

Kara Martin (Speedway Media):  Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I'm not going with any strategy or stats, my first pick of the new season comes straight from the heart. We all know the reason why, so there is no need to elaborate. Go Junior!

 

Ryan O'Hara (Speedway Media):  Jeff Gordon

Starting up front, and most Hendrick cars are up front.  Should be a good race.

But, we'll celebrate in the end, no matter who wins.

 

Dustin Parks (All About Horsepower):  Jeff Gordon

I guess this is a sentimental pick because he is my driver, but Gordon showed he was very fast in his duel.  Sure he was spending most of his time being pushed by Trevor Bayne, but it showed that he is able to hold his line and pull the car behind him without losing momentum.

He's got a new sponsor on the hood, a deterined attitude, and with his wife and kids in attendance, I have to believe it's the perfect storm to see Gordon get back to victory lane.

What a way to welcome the Drive To End Hunger as a sponsor.

 

Sal Sigala Jr. (3 Wide and 1 To Go):  Tony Stewart

No reason given.

 

Rob Tiongson (FanVsFan):  Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I'm more than sixty percent certain that despite all the adversity for Driver 88 and in spite of everything thrown at this racer and team, the 2004 Daytona 500 champ will come through on Sunday afternoon.

Show me a racer who's got a bigger chip on their shoulder than Dale Earnhardt Jr. and by the time you do, it'll be the AMP Energy car crossing the line first before you finding a driver more hungrier than "Little E."

 

LAST WORD:  One way or another, Sunday will see one driver either add another chapter to a storied career or start a new one with the biggest win of his career.  Jamie McMurray launched a phenomenal season in 2010 with his win in this race, so what can happen next?

Tune in on FOX at 1 p.m. ET to find out.  Someone is going down in history as the 2011 Daytona 500 champion.

 

Summary of Picks:

Kurt Busch-2

Dale Earnhardt Jr-2

Jeff Gordon-2

Kevin Harvick-2

Tony Stewart-2

Clint Bowyer-1

Kurt Busch-1