What to watch: Key story lines heading into 2017

Clint Bowyer takes the wheel in the famed No. 14 Stewart-Haas Ford -- a car previously driven by newly retired three-time series champ Tony Stewart. There is undoubtedly no one more ready for the season to begin than Bowyer. He spent last year driving in a mostly uncompetitive car, so he is primed to join the four-car SHR team and intends to remind everyone of the championship-contending form he showed in 2012, when he finished runner-up in the title standings.

NASCAR's favorite son is back. Last month Dale Earnhardt Jr. received medical clearance to return to full time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2017 after missing the last 18 races of the 2016, recovering from concussion-like symptoms. He'll officially be back behind the wheel of his Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet for a test at Phoenix in late January before heading to the season-opening Feb. 26 Daytona 500 to see if he can hoist NASCAR's most famous trophy for a third time.

One of the sport's most powerful teams made stunning news more than a month away from the green flag falling on the 2017 season. Carl Edwards' decision to end his full-time racing career at age 37 triggered a high-profile driver change at Joe Gibbs Racing, elevating Daniel Suarez to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in the team's No. 19 Toyota. Edwards steps away from a 28-win career that included a handful of brushes with the premier series championship. Suarez, 25, becomes one of several fresh faces on a rapidly changing Monster Energy Cup driver roster.

After dominating the second half of the season, but falling short of the ultimate trophy hoist (and undergoing an unexpected driver change), count on Joe Gibbs Racing to come out of the starting blocks fast and determined. JGR driver Denny Hamlin captured a dramatic Daytona 500 victory last year and all of its drivers qualified for the Chase. Two advanced to the final round, however, and were bested by the lone Chevy driven by Jimmie Johnson. This team is highly motivated, talented and focused on not only providing a team sweep of the Chase final round but earning the first title under the Monster Energy banner.

New entitlement sponsor Monster Energy will give NASCAR's premier series a new look and different energy in 2017 with promotions and a new vibe. Competitors and series officials are excited to begin a 'new era' of sorts in the sport.

Can 'Seven-Time' become the first 'Eight-Time?' Many strongly believe reigning champion Jimmie Johnson is poised for a shot at NASCAR history. He won his first five titles consecutively from 2006-2010 -- an unprecedented accomplishment -- so taking back-to-back trophies isn't an inconceivable notion. It's just measurably harder under the new championship format, but a challenge the 41-year-old Johnson says he's up for.

Furniture Row Racing is coming off its best season to date with Martin Truex Jr.'s four-win, Chase-qualifying effort. Last year marked the first time the team had multiple victories, and Truex made history by leading 392 of the 400 laps in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 endurance race. He was obviously a big favorite to hoist the trophy before encountering a mechanical problem at Talladega. Truex will try again for a title in 2017 as the team takes on a new look. The Denver-based FRR team will field two cars -- adding a second car for rookie Erik Jones, a former Camping World Truck Series champion.

The Ford camp will look significantly different -- and bolder -- with 13 Ford Fusions on the starting grid for 2017. Stewart-Haas Racing officially unveiled its move to the manufacturer after New Year's and will field four Fords in 2017 for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick. They will join high-profile partner Team Penske, which advanced to last year's Championship 4 with driver Joey Logano and boasted seven wins between Logano and Brad Keselowski.

Expectations rise again for NASCAR's 'Young Guns' this season. Popular 24-year-old Kyle Larson notched his first career victory last year for Chip Ganassi Racing and made the Chase. Similarly Chris Buescher -- who moves to JTG Daugherty this season -- earned a win and a Chase bid. All eyes will be on Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott, 21, who had five top-three finishes in 2016 and qualified for the Chase but is still looking for his first Cup win. Similarly, Ryan Blaney, 23, had three top-five finishes last year but has yet to hoist a trophy in Victory Lane at the Cup level. Adding to the mix in 2017 is former Camping World Truck Series champ and XFINITY Series contender Erik Jones, who moves up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this year, driving a second car for Furniture Row Racing.