Top 5: Key Changes for 2012

This past off-season has been on of the silliest seasons in NASCAR history. From driver changes to sponsorship deals the off-season has been packed with excitement and drama. Here are the top 5 changes that will be significant during the 2012 off-season.

1. Kahne Moves to Hendrick

This deal was made way before the 2011 Daytona 500, but without a doubt it is the most drastic change for 2012. Rick Hendrick knew he wanted young Kasey Kahne to drive for his team. Kahne already had the deal sealed when Kahne's former team, Red Bull Racing, announced that they would be closing their doors for 2012. Kahne will take over the No. 5 Farmer's Insurance car previously driven by veteran driver Mark Martin who scaled down to a part-time schedule for 2012. We already know of Kasey's ability in the racecar, but it's the equipment that allows
a driver to be consistent. Hendrick will give him exactly what he needs.



2. Allmendinger leaves The King for Penske

Perhaps a first Sprint Cup win is in A.J Allmendinger's future? The driver who drove a tough few seasons for the King in the legendary No. 43 car is still looking for victory. Allmendinger struggled in 2010 and improved tremendously in 2011. Just when we thought this would be A.J's year, RPM lost the primary sponsor, Best Buy, for the No. 43 car. Around the same time Kurt Busch and Penske parted ways and left an opening in the Shell Penzoil No. 22 Dodge. A.J. was their first candidate. Just weeks after Busch and Penske separated, A.J. was signed to drive the 22 car in 2012. Penske is exactly what A.J. needs to snatch his first Cup victory and is looking into a promising 2012 year with Penske.





3. Darian Grubb and Denny Hamlin

Yes, the championship winning crew chief was let go by, well, the championship winning team. Before the 14 team had the Sprint Cup in their hands Tony Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, told Darian Grubb they would be letting him go. It came to a shock for everybody when Stewart and Grubb announced that they would not be working together in 2012. Joe Gibbs, on the other hand, thought this of an opportunity for his team. Mike Ford, crew chief for Denny Hamlin (No. 11), was recently released from JGR and left Hamlin without a crew chief. When Grubb was left without a job for 2012 Joe Gibbs was quick to put him at the top of the No. 11 pit box. Hamlin, who struggled in the Chase in 2011 needed a crew chief for 2012. The two will be able to win a lot of races and be a contender in the Chase come the 2012 season. Grubb, as a championship crew chief, will be the perfect fit for earning Denny's redemption.


4. Kurt Busch Catches a New Ride

After a year filled with foul language and rude gestures Penske and Busch made an agreement; to part ways. It is not called "firing" but a "mutual agreement." Kurt and the team decided to pull him out of the 22 car (later replaced by A.J. Allmendinger as I mentioned above) to take a break and get his act together. He soon got a ride at Phoenix Racing in the 51 car, replacing Landon Cassill. Sprint Cup champions do not usually leave a big racing team at NASCAR's highest level everyday and this was shocking news for most fans, drivers and teams. On a positive note, Kurt Busch will give the small team what they need to be recognized and maybe win a few races for them. Busch will have to adapt to racing in a smaller team in slower equipment.





5. Clint Bowyer to MWR

One of the most shocking news stories in 2011 was when Clint Bowyer and Richard Childress Racing announced they would be going separate ways. RCR scaled down to a 3 car team, after sponsorships woes, and Bowyer was left without a ride. With the efforts of Michael Waltrip Racing and 5-Hour Energy they were able to arrange a ride for the former 33 Cheerios driver. Bowyer will pilot the No. 15 5-Hour Energy car in 2012. His teammates include Martin Truex Jr. (56) and Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip (sharing a ride part-time). I don't know if Bowyer will be a Chase contender, but they will probably win a few races and be consistent. They did have trouble during Daytona testing when practicing two-car draft with Mark Martin. They hit the wall and had some damage to the test car. Bowyer is a talented driver and may be what MWR needs to succeed in the Cup series.