Race fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway in record numbers for 2012 Speed Weeks as the green flag nears for the annual kick off known as the Rolex 24, America's longest sports car race.

Thursday's qualifying session produced the first of what could be a weekend of surprises when Ryan Dalziel claimed the pole for the 24 hour long endurance race that begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Dalziel drove his No. 8 Ford Riley around the 3.56-mile road course at 126.742 mph to beat out five Chevrolet Corvette Prototypes for the coveted starting position, a major upset en route to his first Grand-Am pole win.

With the new sleek designs and the return of Corvette, Audi and Ferrari to the field, the 50th running of the Rolex 24 will be interesting to say the least. 

SPEED TV will begin a live broadcast at 2:30 p.m. that includes a one hour pre-race show and continues until 11 p.m. Saturday night. SPEED will then resume live coverage at 9 a.m. Sunday and carry the audience all the way to the checkered flag at 3:30 p.m. with 30 minutes of on air interviews scheduled after the race.

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