The opening race of the 2012 NASCAR season gets underway this Saturday with the Daytona 500, The Great American Race.

Qualifying for the race began this past weekend, with Carl Edwards winning the pole position for the Daytona 500.

Edwards picked up where he left off after a successful campaign in 2011, in which he led the majority of the season on the points standings until the final race when Tony Stewart came from behind to win the Sprint Cup Title.

Coming into this season, Edwards is right near the top of the list of favorites to play a major role on 2012 Sprint Cup Betting Odds.

But it’s five-time Sprint Cup championship winner Jimmie Johnson who leads the way as the overall favorite.

Johnson saw his string of five-straight season titles come to an end last season, but oddsmakers believe that he will pick back up with a great 2012, going off at 5/1 to win the title.

Then comes Edwards, just behind Johnson at 6/1 to win the championship.

Rounding out the top-five favorites this season are Kyle Busch and the defending champion in Stewart, both set at 7/1, with Kevin Harvick at 8/1.

The 2012 Daytona 500 begins at 1pm ET on Sunday, Feb.26 with coverage on FOX.

Prior to the race will be two more qualifying races, the Gatorade Duels beginning at 2pm ET on Friday, Feb.24, with coverage on the SPEED Channel.

Odds To Win 2012 Sprint Cup Championship