Thursday, January 15, 2009

Random and totally opinion-based 2009 NASCAR predictions.

With the season a mere one month away (Daytona 500 02.15.09), I thought I would go ahead and predict the top 30 finishers for the 2009 NASCAR season.  Remember, after 26 races, the top 12 make the chase and settle the championship.
Some random notes before I begin:
>Look for David Ragan (6) to be the most improved driver of the year, winning a few races, and even competing for the championship.
>Johnson will be tough to deny his 4th consecutive championship (shocker!)
>Tony Stewart will be driving for his own team, and look for him to win a few races.
>The races will be more boring than ever, resulting in NASCAR throwing phantom cautions even more than they have in the past.
>Dale JR. will still not win.
Top 30 (and why)
30.  Travis Kvapil - Same story, some good runs but at the end of the day a lot of DNF's
29.  Scott Speed - Welcome to NASCAR.  It will be a learning curve, but if RedBull gives him time, he can be a good stock car racer.
28.  Juan Pablo Montoya - New DEI/Ganassi entity won't help this open wheeler.
27.  Reed Sorenson  - New team, same lackluster results for Reed.
26.  Michael Waltrip -  He'll have some decent runs, but at the end of the day he is still Michael Waltrip.
25.  Jamie McMurray -  He will continue to be the low point at camp Roush.
24.  Casey Mears - Don't look for much improvement at RCR for Casey.
23.  Martin Truex, Jr. -  He should've gotten out of DEI when he could have.
22.  AJ Allmendinger - Still don't know which car he is driving, but look for him to have better results that a lot of people think.  
21.  Kasey Kahne -  As each year passes, Kahne becomes just an average driver.
20.  Aric Almirola - Too bad he drives for lowlife DEI.  This dude has talent.
19.  Kurt Busch  -  Penske racing will continue to struggle.
18.  David Reutimann - A good driver, but MWR just doesn't cut it.
17.  Brian Vickers - I'd love to see BV do better, but inconsistency kills him.
16.  Jeff Burton -  This will be a down season for Jeff.
15.  Ryan Newman - He will have some ups and downs driving for Tony this year.
14.  Dale Earnhardt Jr.  -  News flash:  Jr will continue to not win races.  With Martin aboard, he will be the low man at Hendrick this year, missing the chase.
13.  Joey Logano - Rookie mistakes will keep him out of the chase, but he will learn a lot this year, and improve as the season goes on.
12.  Tony Stewart - Smoke will barely beat out his old car for a spot in the chase, but it won't be the season he is looking for. (maybe 2010)
11.  Matt Kenseth -  More of the same from Matt.
10. Kevin Harvick -  Another consistent year but still no wins.
09. Clint Bowyer - Clint will be the go to guy at RCR this year, winning on more than one occasion. 
08. Jeff Gordon - He will still be looking for 5.
07. Greg Biffle - Another good year for the Bif, but not quite worthy of a championship run.
06. Denny Hamlin -  JGR will be back with another good season, but Denny still won't quite live up to Kyle's hype.
05. Kyle Busch - He'll have another great year, winning a lot of races, and contending for a championship.
04.  David Ragan  -  He will surprise people this year, winning a few races, and contending for the title.
03.  Carl Edwards - Carl will get even closer to his first championship, but he might still be a year or two out.
02.  Mark Martin - Welcome to HMS!  This will be a dream season for Mark.  The only thing that will stop him from winning his first championship will be his teammate, but he will come very close.
01.  Jimmie Johnson - You just can't bet against this guy.  At the end of the day, he will just flat out beat you.