| Rank |
Driver |
Comment |
 |
|
1
|
 |
Jimmie Johnson |
Four-peat? Maybe so, but it's hard to pick
against the most consistent team in the business. |
|
|
|
2
|
 |
Carl Edwards |
Nine wins in '08 make the No. 99 a definite
hard charger. Now if he can just avoid the Big One at Talladega … |
|
|
|
3
|
 |
Kyle Busch |
Started as hottest thing on four wheels last
year, but ended with Chase pitfalls. Can 'Shrub' pace himself? |
|
|
|
4
|
 |
Jeff Gordon |
Hendrick operation is too good to let four-time
champ endure another winless season. |
|
|
|
5
|
 |
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
Adjustment period with new team is over; could
first multiwin season since 2004 be far behind? |
|
|
|
6
|
 |
Greg Biffle |
Found consistency in latter part of 2008; returns
with all the major pieces intact |
|
|
|
7
|
 |
Denny Hamlin |
Made Chase last year, but needs to shed the
handful of back-of-the-pack finishes |
|
|
|
8
|
 |
Matt Kenseth |
Remains a reliable source of top-10 finishes,
but wins were hard to come by in '08. |
|
|
|
9
|
 |
Mark Martin |
Over the hill? No way. Return to full-time
Cup schedule, joining Hendrick team make Martin a first-rounder again. |
|
|
|
10
|
 |
Kevin Harvick |
Showed improvement on the 1.5-mile tracks that
dominate the schedule, but hasn't won in 71 races. |
|
|
|
11
|
 |
David Ragan |
Near-concensus pick for NASCAR's most improved
last year on the verge of scoring first Cup victory |
|
|
|
12
|
 |
Jeff Burton |
As close to clockwork as you'll find; flat
tracks, short tracks remain his strong suit. |
|
|
|
13
|
 |
Tony Stewart |
Smoke' likely to encounter growing pains in
transition to driver-owner, but it's hard to imagine him not competing |
|
|
|
14
|
 |
Clint Bowyer |
Shifting to new Childress team unlikely to
help, at least in the short term; still a great short-track pick |
|
|
|
15
|
 |
Kasey Kahne |
Will most certainly carry the flag for Dodge
again, but streaky nature may scare off some fantasy owners |
|
|
|
16
|
 |
Martin Truex Jr. |
Has the most to offer for any driver under
new Earnhardt Ganassi banner; needs to show well in contract year |
|
|
|
17
|
 |
Joey Logano |
Heralded rookie easily worth a second-round
flyer, especially now that he's in the No. 20. |
|
|
|
18
|
 |
Kurt Busch |
Finished on the lead lap in only half the races
last year, his worst showing since 2001. |
|
|
|
19
|
 |
Jamie McMurray |
Roush Fenway driver in crossroads season, with
just one win, one pole in last three years with team. |
|
|
|
20
|
 |
Brian Vickers |
A solid selection for intermediate speedways;
crew chief change may help uneven performance elsewhere. |
|
|
|
21
|
 |
Ryan Newman |
Stewart's new sidekick aims to adjust quickly
to new team, crew; still one of the best qualifiers in the game. |
|
|
|
22
|
 |
Juan Pablo Montoya |
Crashed out of eight races last season, making
him a semi-shaky pick; you'll want him on the road courses, though. |
|
|
|
23
|
 |
Casey Mears |
Comes to Childress' No. 07 team with plenty
to prove, but last season doesn't inspire confidence. |
|
|
|
24
|
 |
David Stremme |
Inherits Newman's ride after one-year hiatus
from Cup tour, but can Nationwide Series success translate? |
|
|
|
25
|
 |
Elliott Sadler |
Odd near-divorce with Gillett Evernham team
may not bode well for long-term success. |
|
|
|
26
|
 |
Bobby Labonte |
Former champ's move to Hall of Fame team (partnered
with Yates) could pay dividends. |
|
|
|
27
|
 |
David Reutimann |
Showed some form during waning weeks of last
season, but needs to develop consistency quickly |
|
|
|
28
|
 |
Paul Menard |
Brings sponsorship over to Yates Racing; both
team, driver have shown they can handle superspeedways. |
|
|
|
29
|
 |
Robby Gordon |
Road-course expert, one of few independents
left, actually had best finishes at Daytona, Talladega last year. |
|
|
|
30
|
 |
Reed Sorenson |
Departed Ganassi for Petty's 43, but many still
waiting on him to recapture Nationwide success of four years ago. |
|
|
|
31
|
 |
Marcos Ambrose |
Plucky Aussie is a slam-dunk starter on road
courses, an unknown quantity still learning on ovals. |
|
|
|
32
|
 |
Michael Waltrip |
Last season's lone top-five finish came on
pit strategy in rain-shortened race; a risky play at most tracks |
|
|
|
33
|
 |
Sam Hornish Jr. |
Topped USA TODAY's annual crash database in
rough rookie season; still looking for first top-10. |
|
|
|
34
|
 |
Scott Speed |
Ex-F1 driver has shown he can wrangle a stock
car in trucks, but Sprint Cup is different ballgame. |
|
|
|
35
|
 |
Brad Keselowski |
Could be a spot starter in part-time schedule
(seven races for Hendrick, 10 for Phoenix team). |
|
|
|
36
|
 |
Scott Riggs |
An underdog driver for an underdog team (Tommy
Baldwin Racing); steep odds here. |
|
|
|
37
|
 |
Dave Blaney |
Will take over for start-up team owned by Phil
Parsons after Daytona; sponsorship concerns raise red flag. |
|
|
|
38
|
 |
Joe Nemechek |
Plans on running full schedule in cars he owns,
but will need steady sponsor to make it go. |
|
|
|
39
|
 |
Aric Almirola |
Part-timer from last year has shown promise,
especially on short tracks, but no sponsor equals trouble. |
|
|
|
40
|
 |
A.J. Allmendinger |
Sponsorless Petty team hoping for a backer
to carry it beyond first eight races. |
|
|
|
41
|
 |
Bill Elliott |
Wood Brothers picking their spots with 12-race
schedule for semi-retired Awesome Bill, just like it did with Pearson. |
|
|
|
42
|
 |
Regan Smith |
Last year's top rookie heads to scaled-back
Furniture Row team; can take care of equipment. |
|
|
|
43
|
 |
Travis Kvapil |
Uncertain future, but will try to make gains
in first five races for yet-to-be-sponsored Yates team. |
|
