2012 NASCAR Cup Preview

[DownNDirty]

Just throwing my .02 out here for the upcoming season since we are so close to testing at Daytona.

#1 Jamie McMurray - EGR was way down last year. I see them bouncing back somewhat this year but just don't see them rising as high as they did in 2010. I think Jamie Mac will win one race this year. 2012 points finish - 17th

#2 Brad Keselowski - Breakout year last year. Can he keep up the momentum this year? I think he stands a good chance at having a very solid 2012 season. He has the right attitude and the right backing at Penske. I think having Allmendinger as a teammate will also be beneficial to Special K. 2012 Wins (2) points - 7th

#5 Kasey Kahne - moving over to Hendrick will be big for Kasey in 2012. He'll be at the front more than midpack this year but I think it will take a little getting use to the Hendrick cars for him and Kenny Francis. But, by mid season he'll be very strong. He'll get a big shot in the arm early in the year with a win at the All Star Race in May. 2012 Wins (2) points - 6th

#9 Marcos Ambrose - He'll be competitive some, running midpack quite often once again. As always the Tasmanian Devil will be hell on wheels at the road courses. Marcos will pick up a win again in 2012 but IMO not at a road course. I see him winning a race like Texas or California. 2012 Wins (1) points - 16th

#11 Denny Hamlin - Darian Grubb comes over to give Denny a shot in the arm at Gibbs. The JGR cars faltered down the stretch last year so it will be interesting to see if they can regain their foothold as one of the cars to beat weekly in 2012. Denny will be solid with Darian on the box and I see him making the Chase but not the splash he did in 2010. 2012 Wins (1) - points 9th

#13 Casey Mears - team switches to Fords and he'll still have Bootie Barker on the box. Love the new scheme with more green and blue. With the two Red Bull cars out of the sport as well as the 71 car shutting down this team will be a solid top 30 team in 2012. Casey will show flashes of speed but ultimately just be on the higher end of the low tier teams. 2012 Wins (0) - points 29th

#14 Tony Stewart - Can Smoke back up that amazing run in the Chase again this year? I highly doubt he will make that kind of run again but I do see him doing well and being a factor as the season winds down. He'll be like the Tony of always - start slow and pick up steam through the summer when the tracks get hot and slick. 2012 Wins (4) - points 3rd

#15 Clint Bowyer - MWR picks up a franchise driver and a decent sponsor for Clint. But, with this being a new team - and a MWR team at that - I expect plenty of growing pains. Clint will run towards the front at times but also just be an afterthought many of the races in 2012. 2012 Wins (0) - points 19th

#16 Greg Biffle - The Biff had a rough 2011 season. With Matt Puccia on the box who knows what 2012 holds for him. He just seems to be gradually declining at Roush but does have the solid 3M backing. Don't really know what to expect out of the Biff. 2012 Wins (0) - points 15th

To be continued.......

[badkarma]

Nice take, I look forward to seeing them crank the engines up!

[Nerd-Vol]

Great stuff. What do you think of my boy Jeff's chances this year?

[rbroyles]

I expect Gordon to essentially repeat last year, see no reason for any significant change. I think his Cup Titles are all behind him.

[jhen713]

Originally Posted by Nerd-Vol

Great stuff. What do you think of my boy Jeff's chances this year?

You a Burton fan???? I expect him to challange for a chase spot. They seemed to have their stuff together towards the end of the year.

[rbroyles]

Which Jeff are we talking about?

[SURFSIDEBEACHVOL]

Originally Posted by rbroyles

I expect Gordon to essentially repeat last year, see no reason for any significant change. I think his Cup Titles are all behind him.

Blasphemy

Seriously, I really think he could win one more.

[DownNDirty]

Will finish off my predictions tomorrow.........still doing a bunch of odds and ends associated with our move.

[doozer]

Originally Posted by SURFSIDEBEACHVOL

Blasphemy

Seriously, I really think he could win one more.

It's possible, but statistically speaking, the odds are not in his favor.

[cd12]

Look forward to see what Allmendinger can do with some wheels under him. Always thought he had potential so I guess I'm about to find out.

[jhen713]

Originally Posted by rbroyles

Which Jeff are we talking about?

I was being silly... does the mayor have any fans? I don't dislike him, just never made my list of favorite drivers.

[Burhead]

Originally Posted by jhen713

I was being silly... does the mayor have any fans? I don't dislike him, just never made my list of favorite drivers.

I like him but he isn't my number one driver. He is just a seat warmer till Austin is ready for Cup.

[rbroyles]

Originally Posted by cd12

Look forward to see what Allmendinger can do with some wheels under him. Always thought he had potential so I guess I'm about to find out.

Pretty much sums it up for me as well.

[Yankee_Vol]

This is the year Kyle gets it done......book it!!!!

[rbroyles]

Originally Posted by Yankee_Vol

This is the year Kyle gets it done......book it!!!!

You are saying he will follow his brother's example?