|
Rank |
Driver |
Notes |
|
1. |
Matt Kenseth |
Consistent driver will improve with full usage of COT. |
|
2. |
Jimmie Johnson |
Johnson will fall just short of repeating his titles in
’06 and ’07. |
|
3. |
Jeff Gordon |
Nothing out of the ordinary here, few wins, few poles. |
|
4. |
Kurt Busch |
If Busch keeps his head out of the ‘Oval Office’, he will
be a dominant force. |
|
5. |
Jeff Burton |
Charismatic driver is the leader at RCR, despite what the
TV media says. |
|
6. |
Tony Stewart |
The learning curve to Toyota won’t be as detrimental as
some may think for Tony. |
|
7. |
Clint Bowyer |
Look for him to lock up the most top 10s. Unfortunately,
top 5s are what wins
championships. |
|
8. |
Kevin Harvick |
Harvick, like Kurt Busch, needs to settle down and focus
on racing. |
|
9. |
Carl Edwards |
Edwards still needs to be more consistent before he can
race for championships. |
|
10.
|
Ryan Newman |
Driver in dire need of a win/chase entry this season.
Look for a possible defection if
it doesn’t happen. |
|
11.
|
Kyle Busch |
Busch will find success at JGR, a couple wins, but also a
few DNFs as he adjusts to a new
team. |
|
12.
|
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
Jr. just cracks the top 12 thanks to his new equipment. |
|
13.
|
Martin Truex Jr. |
Truex becomes the odd man out this year thanks to Jr. |
|
14.
|
Greg Biffle |
Look for driver to move on after ’08 when Roush fails to
provide necessary support. |
|
15.
|
Denny Hamlin |
Hamlin needs to keep his emotions in check and calm down
a little before becoming a
dominant force. |
|
16.
|
Casey Mears |
Driver will breakout with a couple of wins in ’08. |
|
17.
|
Juan Pablo Montoya |
Driver had only one finish better than 16th on
a short and plate track last
year. |
|
18.
|
Bobby Labonte |
Don’t be surprised if car 43 gets back in victory lane
this year. |
|
19.
|
Kasey Kahne |
Look for Kahne to reenter victory lane, but not the
Chase. |
|
20.
|
Reed Sorenson |
Sorenson only completed 86.2% of his possible laps last
year. Look for that to improve. |
|
21.
|
Jamie McMurray |
Sometimes, driving for Roush just isn’t a good fit. See
Benson, Johnny and Little, Chad. |
|
22.
|
David Ragan |
Running a full Nationwide Series schedule is a detriment
to bettering yourself in cup. |
|
23.
|
David Gilliland |
One win in the then-Busch series doesn’t automatically
make you a Cup driver. |
|
24.
|
Elliott Sadler |
Look for the GEM cars to slowly work their way back to
the top. |
|
25.
|
Dave Blaney |
Blaney may surprise people and is probably the best
Toyota driver not affiliated
with JGR. |
|
26.
|
Dario Fanchitti |
Former open-wheel star may surprise people. |
|
27.
|
Mark Martin |
Martin will impress with his part-time schedule. |
|
28.
|
Robby Gordon |
Starting out ’08 as the only driver with an illegal part
is an ominous sign. |
|
29.
|
Regan Smith |
Rookie will have a couple of top 10s, but don’t expect
anything spectacular. |
|
30.
|
Michael Waltrip |
Will have a solid, but not spectacular ’08…but anything
is an improvement after ’07. |
|
31.
|
Jeremy Mayfield |
Making your former car owners angry lands you in lesser
caliber rides. |
|
32.
|
Scott Riggs |
Will have the usual Haas racing season—a couple of top
10s, and maybe a top 5. |
|
33.
|
Sam Hornish Jr. |
Hornish will be hit and miss—expect a few wrecks as he
transitions to “stock” cars. |
|
34.
|
J.J. Yeley |
Yeley will struggle in equipment of a lower caliber than
he had at JGR. |
|
35.
|
Brian Vickers |
Vickers will crack the top-35 and get himself prepared
for ’09. |
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