Carl Edwards fell bitterly short in last season's bid to win the NASCAR championship. He's starting 2012 out front.
The pack is back. And so is the Big One.
The Kentucky Speedway and the Ky Transportation Cabinet are on schedule to finish improvements to Hwy 35 and new parking lots for the Quaker State 400.

From track length to the bathrooms, read up on everything you could want to know about the new Ky. Speedway.
Need directions? Want to find where to park? Click to get familiar with the layout of the new Kentucky Speedway.
9 News anchor Kathrine Nero holds a NASCAR 101 class.
Want to know what's happening when on the inaugural Sprint Cup race weekend? Find it here.
Thousands of people will be in Sparta for the inaugural Quaker State 400 this weekend. Are you down there? Share your photos from the Kentucky Speedway with us by emailing them to webteam@wcpo.com.
Get biographies, race stats and find out who's qualified for each race here.
Speedway History
Explore how Kentucky Speedway got to hosting its first ever Sprint Cup Series race.
9 News reporter Jay Warren was given insight by a few female fans on why NASCAR appeals to them.
Nearly $500,000 will be raised for charities.
Drivers qualified for the race as more people arrived at the track.
Reds News
Dusty talks about Jay Bruce, the bullpen and keeps his rotation under wraps.
Former top pick of the Reds wants to end career in a Cincinnati uniform.
Bengals News
The man who helped the Bengals become one of the best offenses in the NFL several years ago is returning to Cincinnati.
College Sports News
Shootout hangover or lack of talent?
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 18 points, Anthony Davis added 13 points and 11 rebounds and No. 1 Kentucky rallied to beat Mississippi State 73-64 Tuesday night.
High School Sports News
The Lady Bearcats pounced on the Demons early by putting on a 3-point shooting clinic.
Simon Kenton to play Walton-Veorna in district final Thursday. Grant County and Williamtown's seasons are finished.