Well, it's almost that time of year again --- and I'm not talking about the Superbowl. The Daytona 500 in a mere 37 days away (not that I am counting or anything.) I thought since the new season is starting up that I would share my 2012 Sprint Cup Championship thoughts. I know it may be hard to top the end of 2011 with the remarkable season ending tie between Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards, but I feel that 2012 will be one of the best seasons in NASCAR. Here is who I think 2012 will crown it's champion.
1. Carl Edwards
After a disappointing ending to 2011 Carl kept it all together and showed the most class any driver has in this sport. Carl's personality will light up the room, or pit road I guess. Carl has so much talent in a race car and I predict he will win many championships in years to come, he is a true champion. With a new primary sponsor, Fastenal, I think Carl will win many races and have a shot at winning the Sprint Cup. He is the master at consistency and after last year's performance I think this is Carl's year. They say that the runner-up doesn't have a successful year the next season, but I think Carl has got what it takes to win.
2. Kasey Kahne
I know, you may be thinking "Kasey?" Well, he did only win 1 race in 2011, but after all he is beginning a new season with a new team. May I add that it's the best team in NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports. The 2011 Kahne we saw wasn't all he has to offer. Red Bull was caught in the middle of shutting down the team in NASCAR and the equipment wasn't anything compared to the Hendrick machine Kahne will drive in 2012. I know Kasey has a lot of talent and he just needs the right cars to show it off. I think Kasey Kahne has what it takes to be a Chase contender. Maybe I am rushing it and should give him a year at Hendrick to figure it all out, but Kasey has what it takes to win a lot of races.
3. Jimmie Johnson
Yes, he is a 5-time champion and I don't think it's the end of his reign yet. He and Chad Knaus have chemistry like no other driver-crew chief relationship. They shocked fans last season when there were not performing like they usually do, winning races and leading the point standings. Jimmie Johnson only won one race in 2011, the first time in his career. The woes of 2011 will not stop the 48 team from being competitive in 2012. They are going to turn around and come out stronger for 2012 and maybe win a sixth championship.
4. Kevin Harvick
The Closer will definitely be "closing" in on the championship in 2012. Ok, that was corny, but I do believe Harvick won't give up until he is holding up that Sprint Cup at the season finale. Harvick is long over-due for a first championship. He wins enough races, but can never reach the top of the points chart. After selling Kevin Harvick Inc. a weight is lifted off his shoulders and he can focus 100% on the Cup series. This is going to be a good year for the 29 team and Harvick will be right up there come Homestead.
5. Denny Hamlin
Let's put 2010 behind us and focus on 2012. Denny may have lost the championship in '10, but that was 2 years ago. Hamlin has grown as a driver and has had a year to recover. After having the glory taken away from him by Johnson, Hamlin will come back in 2012 and dominate. JGR suffered with blown engines and bad luck last season and all that will be resolved in 2012 and all 3 will have successful years. Denny was so close in 2010 and I think 2012 will be the year he finally is competitive enough to race for the trophy.
Mentionable contenders:
Kyle Busch: He had a rough season full of set-backs. Penalties and what not. Kyle focuses on the Nationwide and Truck series' so much that he can't always focus on Cup each weekend. But, he has tremendous talent that allows him to win races and possibly win a championship, but I feel like there will be bumps in the road to the championship
Tony Stewart: He won the 2011 championship, but can he repeat it? Stewart had an awful beginning to 2011, but was able to turn that around as we all know. I know he will win races in 2012 for sure, but maybe not a back-to-back championship. We may see Stewart-Haas Racing win another Sprint Cup, but give them a year or two.
A.J Allmendinger:
I though 2011 was going to be the year A.J. won his first race, but it never happened. 2012 is offering so much for the former Champ Car driver. A new team with a new crew chief. After Kurt Busch left Penske, A.J right away hired to fill the empty spot at the famous team owned by Roger Penske. Hats off to A.J. I know he will succeed in 2012.
Write it down in your calenders, February 26th starts the 2012 season! I can't wait to see if anyone can top last year's Daytona 500 and who the first-time winners will be. Who will be in victory lane come November? We'll have to wait and see.
So long friends, I'll see you in Daytona!
After a disappointing ending to 2011 Carl kept it all together and showed the most class any driver has in this sport. Carl's personality will light up the room, or pit road I guess. Carl has so much talent in a race car and I predict he will win many championships in years to come, he is a true champion. With a new primary sponsor, Fastenal, I think Carl will win many races and have a shot at winning the Sprint Cup. He is the master at consistency and after last year's performance I think this is Carl's year. They say that the runner-up doesn't have a successful year the next season, but I think Carl has got what it takes to win.
I know, you may be thinking "Kasey?" Well, he did only win 1 race in 2011, but after all he is beginning a new season with a new team. May I add that it's the best team in NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports. The 2011 Kahne we saw wasn't all he has to offer. Red Bull was caught in the middle of shutting down the team in NASCAR and the equipment wasn't anything compared to the Hendrick machine Kahne will drive in 2012. I know Kasey has a lot of talent and he just needs the right cars to show it off. I think Kasey Kahne has what it takes to be a Chase contender. Maybe I am rushing it and should give him a year at Hendrick to figure it all out, but Kasey has what it takes to win a lot of races.
Yes, he is a 5-time champion and I don't think it's the end of his reign yet. He and Chad Knaus have chemistry like no other driver-crew chief relationship. They shocked fans last season when there were not performing like they usually do, winning races and leading the point standings. Jimmie Johnson only won one race in 2011, the first time in his career. The woes of 2011 will not stop the 48 team from being competitive in 2012. They are going to turn around and come out stronger for 2012 and maybe win a sixth championship.
The Closer will definitely be "closing" in on the championship in 2012. Ok, that was corny, but I do believe Harvick won't give up until he is holding up that Sprint Cup at the season finale. Harvick is long over-due for a first championship. He wins enough races, but can never reach the top of the points chart. After selling Kevin Harvick Inc. a weight is lifted off his shoulders and he can focus 100% on the Cup series. This is going to be a good year for the 29 team and Harvick will be right up there come Homestead.
Let's put 2010 behind us and focus on 2012. Denny may have lost the championship in '10, but that was 2 years ago. Hamlin has grown as a driver and has had a year to recover. After having the glory taken away from him by Johnson, Hamlin will come back in 2012 and dominate. JGR suffered with blown engines and bad luck last season and all that will be resolved in 2012 and all 3 will have successful years. Denny was so close in 2010 and I think 2012 will be the year he finally is competitive enough to race for the trophy.
Mentionable contenders:
Kyle Busch: He had a rough season full of set-backs. Penalties and what not. Kyle focuses on the Nationwide and Truck series' so much that he can't always focus on Cup each weekend. But, he has tremendous talent that allows him to win races and possibly win a championship, but I feel like there will be bumps in the road to the championship
Tony Stewart: He won the 2011 championship, but can he repeat it? Stewart had an awful beginning to 2011, but was able to turn that around as we all know. I know he will win races in 2012 for sure, but maybe not a back-to-back championship. We may see Stewart-Haas Racing win another Sprint Cup, but give them a year or two.
A.J Allmendinger:
I though 2011 was going to be the year A.J. won his first race, but it never happened. 2012 is offering so much for the former Champ Car driver. A new team with a new crew chief. After Kurt Busch left Penske, A.J right away hired to fill the empty spot at the famous team owned by Roger Penske. Hats off to A.J. I know he will succeed in 2012.
Write it down in your calenders, February 26th starts the 2012 season! I can't wait to see if anyone can top last year's Daytona 500 and who the first-time winners will be. Who will be in victory lane come November? We'll have to wait and see.
So long friends, I'll see you in Daytona!
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