Tomorrow is the Great American Race, the Daytona 500, and with it the beginning of the NASCAR season. So, without further ado, here's my NASCAR season preview. I will go through all of the racing teams first and offer my two cents before releasing my top 35 standings predictions for 2010.
BAM Racing
#49 car- Various Drivers, Warner Brothers
BAM Racing is returning after taking the 2009 season off. David Gilliland was in the car for Daytona qualifying, but this team does not have a full-time driver.
Braun Racing
#32- Reed Sorenson, Dollar General
After losing his ride with Petty, Sorenson signed on with Braun Racing, where he will run at least 6-7 races. Only a part-time schedule for the number 32 team this year.
Brian Keselowski
#92 Mike Wallace, None
Mike Wallace signed with the unsponsored #92 team to try and qualify for the Daytona 500. He didn't make it, there's no future plans for the team.
Derrick Cope
#75- Derrick Cope, Asset Protect
Cope attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500 in his #75 Asset Protect Dodge, he may go and attempt a few more races as well in 2010
Dusty Whitney
#46 Terry Cook, None
Terry Cook is one of two rookies looking to run full-time in the Sprint Cup Series this year. However, he is running into sponsor issues and running with a brand new team owned by Dusty Whitney. If Cook wants to win Rookie of the Year, it will take some sporsor help and an extraordinary effort.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
#1 Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops
#42 Juan Pablo Montoya, Target
My man Jamie McMurray is reuniting with Ganassi this season as he takes over the #1 ride from Martin Truex Jr. McMurray has struggled the past few years with Roush and had his best seasons with Ganassi, so maybe this will be a good move for him; he did finish third in the Budweiser Shootout last week and had such a solid finish last season that I actually watched a few end of year races over NFL football, something I rarely do.
Meanwhile, Juan Pablo Montoya looks to make his second chase after a breakout 2009 season. Montoya is a fiery and agressive driver and has a
great #42 crew to boot. With Earnhardt Ganassi having just two cars on their agenda now, these teams should get more funding and attention, making them both possible top 15 cars.
Ed Ash
#02 Brandon Ash, Spirnter Trucking
No official word on the Ash family's plans this season, but Brandon typically drives in West Coast races and we could see him at Auto Club next week
Front Row Motorsports
#34 Travis Kvapil, Long John Silver
#37 Kevin Conway, Extenze Men's Health Supplement
#38 David Gilliland, Taco Bell
Front Row Motorsports, basically the remnants of Yates Racing, has shuffled drivers for Daytona, but the above should be the normal lineup. Travis Kvapil has always been saddled with a lack of sponsorship, however he is back in the #34 with Window World and Long John Silver's as sponsors for some races. Kvapil is a skilled driver who makes the most of his equipment, but qualfiying for races could be a challenge. The other full-time rookie, Kevin Conway, is the rookie of the year favorite. I haven't seen the inexperienced Conway drive, so not much to say here. David Gilliland will be the main driver for the Taco Bell #38 again this year. Gilliland is a little sloppy and over-agressive, but like Kvapil makes the most of the equipment he has.
Furnitrue Row Racing
#78 Regan Smith, Furniture Row
Smith is back with Furniture Row this year. Smith has so much potential, but frequently lets his emotions and agression take over when he's in contention with the big guys, ala Talladega in 2008. In any case, Smith should do as good as possible with the small Furniture Row team.
Germain Racing
#13 Max Papis, GEICO
Papis will try to run around 20 races this season. He will likely be a mostly start and park driver, with GEICO on as a sponsor.
Hendrick Motorsports
#5 Mark Martin, GoDaddy.com
#24 Jeff Gordon, DuPont
#48 Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's
#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Amp Energy Drink
Hendrick is the king of NASCAR right now and has four of the best drivers known, three of them having made the chase last year.Mark Martin is again back in the five after coming oh so close to his first championship last season. Martin wants to go out on top and should be in contention again this year. JEff Gordon is Mr. NASCAR, he is always hanging round the top and is very consistent, but lacks the wins in recent years. Jimmie Johnson, of course, has won four straight championships and continues to dominate, he is favored to possible win an unprecedented fifth straight title. Dale Earnhardt Jr. struggled mightily last season despite being on the on much better financed team than he had at DEI. Junior must pick up the pace to shake off his overrated reputation this season.
James Finch Phoenix Racing
#09 Aric Almirola, None
Poor Almirola has never gotten a fair shot at NASCAR as he continually drives for doomed teams. He is driving for supposedly a full-time schedule for James Finch this season, however, without a sponsor Almirola and the team may not be around for long.
Joe Gibbs Racing
#11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx
#18 Kyle Busch, M&M's
#20 Joey Logano, Home Depot
Joe Gibbs Racing has quickly turned into a major powerplayer in recent seasons and will continue with a solid three car operation this year. Two drivers, Hamlin and Busch, could dethrone Johnson this year. Hamlin will drive with a torn ACL this year, but it shouldn't hamper his superb driving skills as he has the best shot outside of Johnson to win the title. Busch also is a very agressive but highly skilled driver who wins at all types of tracks. However, he still lacks maturity and poise needed to win a Sprint Cup Championship. Logano impressed during his first Sprint Cup season at just 18 and has a lot of time to grow into a solid driver. Given
a few years, he will be a perennial Chase contender.
Joe Nemechek
#87- Joe Nemechek, None
#97- Jeff Fuller, None
Nemechek will drive full-time in his #87 car this season and will also premiere the #97 car at times this year, with Jeff Fuller behind the wheel. Nemechek is an old but familian face on the Sprint Cup circuit and one of the nicest drivers you'll ever see, still, it will be difficult for him to build a contender.
John Carter
#08 Terry Labonte, None
Not a full-time team here, but Carter may have old Terry on to run a few races this season. Don't expect any more though.
JTG Daugherty Racing
#47 Marcos Ambrose, Little Debbies
Ambrose really opened eyes last season with consistent runs and was arguebly the best driver for a single car team in 2009. Expectations will be much higher on Ambrose this year, possibly unrealistically high. Still, there is a lot of promsie from this solid dirver from Australia.
Keyed Up Motorsports
#90 Casey Mears, None
This new team has signed on Casey Mears to drive its #90 car this year. Mears struggled badly with Childress last year in the now defunct #07 car and is now a driving for a small operation. Mears prospects are not good in this situation.
Kirk Shelmerdine
#27, Kirk Shelmerdine, None
Everyone's favorite start and parker, Kirk Shelmerdine, could run and qualify for some races this year. And if does make the show, he will, you guessed it, start and park.
Latitude 43 Motor Sports
#26 Boris Said, Window World Cares
This #26 car, formerly from Roush, will qualify for the first five races on points and could be a start and park team ala the #66 team last year. If they do go for wins though, Said has shown solid performances on road courses and superspeedways in the past, so watch out tomorrow if Said can move up through the field.
Michael Waltrip Racing
#00 David Reutimann, Aaron's Dream Machine
#51 Michael Waltrip, NAPA
#56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA
Waltrip's team is steadily growing and improving with each passing season. Reutimann especially showed prowess last season and won his first ever race in the Coca Cola 600, he could be a Chase contender this year. Michael Waltrip has "retired" as a driver but will run art-time races, inclduing Daytona tomorrow. Martin Truex Jr. comes over from Earnhardt Ganassi to take Waltrip's old spot, he should alone improve a #56 that struggled previously with Waltrip behind the wheel. Expect two top 20 teams this year.
Norm Benning Racing
#57 Norm Benning, None
Skip this part, Benning attempted and failed to qualify for Daytona. Benning will not likely try another race in 2010.
Penske Racing
#2 Kurt Busch, Miller Lite
#12 Brad Keselowski, Verizon
#77 Sam Hornish Jr. Mobil 1
Penske is looking to improve after a disappointing 2009 from the 12 and 77 cars. Busch is clearly the class of Penske, the former champion is a perennial Chase contender and always a threat to win in the #2 car, however, he has lacked in wins recently and must step up his game to contend with the big guns. Keselowski is one of the top prospects in NASCAR today, he did well in limited equipment last year and won in that wild Talladega finish last year. Hornish has been a bust since he joined the Sprint Cup Series, however he is back again to drive the #77 car.
Prism Motorsports
#55 Michael McDowell, None
#66 Dave Blaney, None
This team could barely field one car last year without a sponsor, now they have two. Expect a lot of start and park performances from Blaney and McDowell and not much else.
Red Bull Racing
#82 Scott Speed, Red Bull
#83 Brian Vickers, Red Bull
Red Bll Racing is a tale of two drivers. On one side, Brian Vickers is maturing and becoming a more patient but skilled driver, much of overagressiveness is gone for the better. On the other side, Scott Speed bombed in his first year in the Sprint Cup Series. He must perform better if he doesn't want to lose his Red Bull ride as he is definitly capable of so much more than what he showed in 2009.
Richard Childress
#29 Kevin Harvick, Shell/Penzoil
#31 Jeff Burton, Caterpillar
#33 Clint Bowyer, General Mills/Cheerios
RCR must have a better 2010 season, 2009 was nothing short of a disaster for a prominent organization. Harvick is the crown jewel, but could be in his final year behind the wheel of the #29, he has a lot to prove with free agency looming. Burton and Bowyer are both in the same boat, they had disappointing 2009 season have a lot of pressure on them to pick up the pace in 2010.
Richard Petty Motorsports
#9 Kasey Kahne, Budweiser
#19 Elliot Sadler, Stanley Tools
#43 A.J. Allmendinger, Best Buy
#98 Paul Menard, Menard's
Pettym with the help of George Gilllet, has built a suddenyl solid racing team.. Kasey Kahne is the number one at RPM, he is a consistent Chase contender and usually pulls out a few wins a year, but lacks the consistent top 5 finishes needed to win a championship. Sadler remains in the #19 car, he appears to be nothing more than an avergae driver at best. Up and coming Allmendinger drove well in an unsponsored car last year and takes over the #43 ride from Reed Sorenson this year. Meanwhile, Paul Menard is on board with his #98 car, Menard is still yougn and has never gotten a solid chance to be a title contender on the Sprint Cup Series, this may be the year.
Robby Gordon Motorsports
#7 Robby Gordon, Monster Energy Drinks
Gordon is again a driver/owner in his #7. It is a very underfunded team with a lack of good equipment, results will continue on that direction for Robby.
Roush Fenway Racing
#6 David Ragan, UPS
#16 Greg Biffle, 3M
#17 Matt Kenseth, Crown Royal
#99 Carl Edwards, Aflac
Roush continues to contend with Hendrick to be the premiere NASCAR organization. David Ragan beat McMurray for the fourth spot in Roush last year, he still has room to develop at Roush, but he must also show results soon. Biffle is unhearalded and underrated driver, he is a Chase contender every year but lacks the extra jump to become a championship contender. Kenseth, a former champion, is Mr. Consistency, however, like Biffle, he doesn't win enough races to win a championship since then. Carl Edwards if the crown jewel at Roush, he has a solid chance at dethroning Johnson as champion, but must be more consistent than last season if he wants a Sprint Cup title.
Stewart Haas Racing
#14 Tony Stewart, Office Depot
#39 Ryan Newman, U.S. Army
The first year for Tony Stewart's team last year was successful, he will be back with Newman this year. After a year of growing with the new team, Stewart should be in championship contention again this year, now accustomed to to the owner/driver role. Meanwhile, Newman had some growing pains in the new #39 car, not as well funded as his old #12. Still, Newman is the best qualfier around and can hopefully use good starts to result in good finishes.
Tommy Baldwin Racing
#35 Johnny Sauter,None
#36 Mike Bliss, Wave Energy Drink
Baldwin Racing is looking to have Mike Bliss as a full-time driver this year in the #36, Bliss drove a coupl full-time seasons in the old #0 car. Meanwhile, a sponsorless #35 could also run part-time, with Johnny Sauter behind the wheel.
TRG Motorsports
#71 Bobby Labonte, Taxslayer.com
Ex-champion Bobby Labonte is again with a small team,. this time TRG Motorsports, driving full-time in the a taxslayer.com sponsored car. Labonte's former champion provisionals will help with qualifying for races.
Wood Brothers
#21 Bill Elliott, Motorcraft
Driving a part-time schedule has helped Wood Brothers big time, as Elliott looked solid in the #21 in 2009 driving part-time. They will be back to a part-time schedule in 2010 and are hopign for more top 20 appearences.
My 2010 Top 35 NASCAR Final Standings
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Carl Edwards
4. Kyle Busch
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Mark Martin
7. Tony Stewart
8. Kasey Kahne
9. Kurt Busch
10. Kevin Harvick
11. Juan Pablo Montoya
12. Greg Biffle
13. Matt Kenseth
14. Ryan Newman
15. Jeff Burton
16. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
17. David Reutimann
18. Clint Bowyer
19. Jamie McMurray
20. Joey Logano
21. David Ragan
22. Marcos Ambrose
23. A.J. Allmendinger
24. Brad Keselowki
25. Martin Truex Jr.
26. Elliot Sadler
27. Sam Hornish Jr.
28. Paul Menard
29. Robby Gordon
30. Bobby Labonte
31. Travis Kvapil
32. Regan Smith
33. Kevin Conway
34. Boris Said
35. Bill Elliott
Sprint Cup Champion- Jimmie Johnson
It's a safe pick, but a common sense one. Johnson is by and far the top driver in NASCAR today and while Hamlin and Edwards could make it close and come down to the final race at Homestead, I think Johnson wins an incredible 5th straight driver.
Rookie of the Year- Kevin Conway
It's a very weak year for rookies, with Kevin Conway and Terry Cook the only rookies looking to run full-time. I personally don't see Cook making it the full season, so Conway is rookie of the year by default.
Manufactuers Championship- Chevrolet
Chevy must be careful, as Toyota is growing every year and could soon challenge Chevy for this title, but for now, Chevrolet remains the king in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series.
Most Popular Driver- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He could start and park and just wave to the crowd and he'd get this title. Now, if he could only win an actual championship....
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