2015 NASCAR season preview

It's time for another ride around the oval.

The NASCAR season begins in earnest with Sunday's Daytona 500. Here's what to expect from the next 38 races all the way to the finale in November. 

Jeff Gordon's last ride

It will be more than just a victory lap this season for Jeff Gordon.

The 43-year-old NASCAR veteran ensured he'll kick off his final full-time Sprint Cup Series season in the spotlight by securing the pole to Sunday's Daytona 500.

Gordon won't be playing nice either. He's a four-time series champion, has won the Daytona 500 three times and finished sixth in points last season with four victories.

There will be plenty of tributes, but Gordon will also take a few checkered flags along with him before the season is over.

Kevin Harvick goes for No. 2

He needed every lap of every race to win his first championship by just one point. For all that, now Kevin Harvick gets to do it all over again.

Harvick begins his championship reign at the Daytona 500, which he previously won in 2007. Momentum is at the whim of the race gods, but for what it's worth, Harvick capped 2014 with a second-place finish followed by a pair of victories.

If the No. 4 car hasn't lost a step, Harvick won't either.

Redemption for Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart

Jimmie Johnson is hoping for better results after being bounced from the Chase in the second round last year. Tony Stewart just wants to forget 2014 ever happened.

Both drivers are ready to turn the page following disappointing campaigns. An 11th place overall finish wasn't satisfactory for Johnson, who entered the season fresh off his sixth championship.

Stewart, meanwhile, suffered a nightmare season that included his role in the accidental death of Kevin Ward Jr. last August. He slumped to a 25th-place finish overall.

It's weird to state that two drivers with nine championships between them are in need of a return to form. But here we are.

Kyle Larson's hype is real

NASCAR's next big star will try to take a leap forward following a breakout year.

Kyle Larson's first full Sprint Cup season ended with Rookie of the Year honors and plenty of expectations for the future. The 22-year-old finished 17th overall with one pole and eight top-five results for Chip Ganassi Racing.

The next step is a checkered flag for the kid who only began racing stock cars three years ago. Once Larson gets his first taste of victory, watch out.

The Kurt Busch saga continues

It's fair to ask whether Kurt Busch will even drive in the Sprint Cup this season.

The 36-year-old former champion was ordered Monday to stay away from ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll after Busch allegedly assaulted her in September.

There's still a possibility Busch is in the car Sunday. If he isn't, he'll have bigger problems to worry about than when to make a pit stop.