- Jeff Burton*: he'll finish just outside the top 10, but will make it based on his three wins going into the Chase. But there are too many other good drivers ahead of him for him to make serious noise in the Chase. Predicted finish: 12th.
- Clint Bowyer: he'll be more consistent than last season. Predicted finish: 11th.
- Tony Stewart: I'm probably going to catch some flak from Smoke fans, but I see him having one bad race early in the Chase that will have him trailing the field. That one bad race will cost him a chance to win his third title. He'll do his best to catch up, but I only see him gaining three spots. But, if he avoids that, he'll be in contention. (I hope he's consistent, and he's in contention heading into Homestead.) Predicted finish: 10th.
- Jeff Gordon: we'll see him in Victory Lane this season. Paired with Alan Gustafson, I won't be surprised to see him contend for the title. However, I see him falling a bit short. Predicted finish: 9th.
- Kyle Busch: he'll be the only Busch Brother in the Chase. It's either going to be hit or miss. He'll have a few misses along with a lot of hits. He'll run better than last year, but the competition is very intense, and he'll fall short. Predicted finish: 8th.
- Greg Biffle: we'll see Biff in Victory Lane a few times this season, and he'll be strong heading into the Chase. But I see a late season fade. Predicted finish: 7th.
- Denny Hamlin: last year had to be demoralizing, when he had the championship lead going into Homestead, but made that crucial error allowing Jimmie Johnson to overtake him. I see some hangover this year. Predicted finish: 6th.
- Matt Kenseth: he'll be his usual consistent self in the Chase. He'll finish where he started in the Chase. Predicted finish: 5th.
- Jamie McMurray*: he'll finish behind Burton in the regular season standings, but get in based on his three wins going into the Chase. I see him getting on a roll and winning a couple more races in the Chase. He'll be in contention heading into Homestead, but struggles at Homestead will cost him a chance at a championship. He'll learn and grow from this. Predicted finish: 4th.
- Carl Edwards: he ended last season on a roll, winning the final two races and establishing himself as a contender. IF he finishes as strong as he starts, he COULD end up dethroning JJ. But I don't see it happening, at least not this year. He'll be stout, but fall just short. Predicted finish: 3rd.
- Kevin Harvick: he had arguably the best season of his Cup career. He led the points for much of the season. Due to the bonuses in the Chase, he started in third and finished there. He'll start in third and improve a position. Predicted finish: 2nd.
- Jimmie Johnson: he'll be here until someone dethrones him. I look for him to win a very tight battle between him, Harvick, and Edwards. Your 2011 Sprint Cup Champion: JIMMIE JOHNSON. Predicted finish: 1st and still Champion.
Those are my 12 Chase drivers for this year. It was very hard deciding on WHO was going to make the Chase, as I think 15 drivers could be Chase contenders. Just as I see these drivers I think could win it all: Johnson, Harvick, Edwards, McMurray, Stewart, Gordon, Kyle Busch, and Hamlin. LET'S GO RACIN' BOYS!
9 comments:
Hey Jon!
You been hibernating?
Interesting list in that it pretty much duplicates what should have happened last year although I think there may be a couple of surprises in the 2011 Chase make-up... I know, I know... I'm thinkin' maybe one or two Roush drivers may not be there. Now who might replace 'em? How about one of the Red Bull drivers or how about Bad Brad?
Good to see you back in here!
WhayoutalkinboutWillis!??! No Kurt? No JUNYER?!?! LOL
Kurt makes it - Junyer 13th. Not feelin' Clint or Burton - RCR might be hurt by adding a 4th. You are being awful kind to Cupcake - I dont think he can repeat last year's efforts despite hoping so!
My top 12 in no particular order:
JJ
Gordon
Harvick
Kyle
Kurt
Hamlin
Edwards
Smoke
Kenseth
Logano
Newman
Vickers
Long shots a few!
Jeff Burton and Jamie Mac winning six of the first 26 races? Can't see it. maybe one win between them, for the whole year.
Kurt will make it... doubt all three RCRs will again.
Hey Dwindy! Yes I have, now I'm refreshed and ready to go! As far as the Red Bull drivers, it would be a real good feel-good story if Brian Vickers were to make the Chase. The Roush guys were very strong at the end of the season, and that usually carries over into the next season.
Hey Kristen! I'm just not feeling it with Kurt this year. Yes he did win the Shootout (congrats to Kurt and the Double Deuce Krew), but it was as a result of Harvick and Burton being split up. When Harvick and Burton were drafting together, they were DOMINANT. Harvick and Jeff Gordon drafted together and they were strong. As for Cupcake, marriage and fatherhood will agree with him, and I see him making the Chase and doing damage.
Gene, of the RCR cars in your scenario, I think Harvick and Bowyer make it. But I see a renewed focus and determination in Burton's eyes, and I DO see him returning to Victory Lane. Kurt struggled to make the Chase last year, and he struggled in the Chase. While he didn't have any real bad races, he wasn't running near the top, either.
I dunno Jon seemed like it was whoever was with Burton was good. Why do you think Burton wanted #33 instead of #29? Wonder if he was worried #29 would dump him at the finish for the 3 in a row situation and the #33 would stick with...
anyway...WOOHOOO 22! I'll agree to disagree re: Kurt making the Chase - he'll be there.
Kristen, I think Burton remembered how Harvick dumped McMurray last spring at Talladega. But he needs to realize that it's every man for himself with one to go. Even Jeff Gordon, who wasn't running particularly well, got out in front when drafting with Harvick. I think Derrike Cope could have been out front if he were paired with Harvick; Harvick was that stout. But when Burton was with Bowyer, they dropped like a stone. As for Kurt, I see him running strong early (he always does), but I see a mid-season swoon that will be too much for him to overcome. Plus Penske is the only major team that's running Dodges, and they won't have lateral support like the other makes.
Too early to tell just yet who will be in the chase.
The big factor will be who gets the most sponor ship money for the full season. I see some favored teams struggling for sponors on a full time basis this year
reckon we'll get any new winners this year, Jon? Menard, AJ and Ambrose would be my picks...Ragan has a shot if he can recapture his 2008 form.
Photogr, you could be right, particularly if the economy gets even worse than it is now.
Tez, here are my first-time winners this year: Ambrose, Menard, and Ragan. I see Ragan returning to his 2008 form, buoyed by the resurgence of the rest of his RFR teammates. I think AJ just falls short with a second place finish. Menard's winning scenario is that he and Harvick end up drafting together late in a Talladega race and Harvick pushes Menard to the win.
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