Many Questions For The Season

Well the time is near for the beginning of another year of racing. There are many questions to be answered. First and foremost is the effect that the Gen 6 cars will have on the racing. The new cars have been configured to more closely resemble their corresponding street models. If testing is any indication, the four restrictor plate races will be interesting. The bump draft and two car tandems are gone. The cars now have rounded bumpers and won't snug up against each other so it should be back to more pack racing. I think the only driver who will still try to snuggle up to the rear of another racer is Dale Earnhardt Jr. He just feels most comfortable there. It is still to be determined how the new cars will work at the other tracks.

Another question will be how Penske Racing does after switching from Dodge to Ford and will Keselowski be able to beat off the other drivers. I don't know if Keselowski can beat off the other racers but Dale Jr. said he would sure give it the old college try. Penske is also welcoming a new driver as Joey Logano joins the team.

We will soon find out how Kenseth does now that he is driving a Joe Gibbs Toyota. It will also be interesting to see if the 18 team of Kyle Busch can return to form after a disappointing 2012. Dale Jr. did volunteer to mentor Kyle Busch, much the same way that a Priest mentors a young man.

Will the 99 team return to form in 2013? After finishing second to Tony Stewart in 2011, Edwards had a very lackluster year in 2012 and failed to make the chase. Ricky Stenhouse will be in the 17 this year and be the front runner to win the Rookie of the Year and could even win a few races with the power of Rousch Racing behind him. It was announced that Stenhouse is dating Danica Patrick. When Earnhardt heard the news his comment was, and I am quoting here, "ooooh that is so gross."

Danica joins Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman as the third car for Stewart/Haas racing. I am still not quite sure if she will be successful. But who cares, she is hot and sells tickets and merchandise.

Michael Waltrip Racing had quite a year and both of their drivers made the chase. The big question will be whether Bowyer and Truex can keep building on the success of last season. And perhaps the most pressing question will be which race that Bowyer decides to seek revenge on Jeff Gordon. My guess is that he will wait for the first Bristol race in March. It's much easier to hide the fact that you have just intentionally wrecked someone at a short track then it is at a super speedway. Dale Jr. was heard saying that he sure would like to rear end Jeff Gordon or Clint Bowyer.

RCR racing may be in trouble this year. They were down last year and I don't forsee much improvement. Harvick is leaving after this season to join Stewart/Haas Racing and while Paul Menard is a good driver, I don't see him winning many races. I think RCR is retooling for next year when Childress's grandson, Austin Dillon join the team.

Some of the other teams really struggled last year. McMurray faded after a good 2011 season and 2012 was a disaster. Montoya is Montoya. Maybe the 42 will set the world on fire this season. Who knows? The 9 car of Marcos Ambrose will do great at the road courses but he still needs to prove himself on the ovals. And Dale Jr. if you are reading this, I said ovals not orals. Kurt Busch will be in the 78 full time this year. That is until he blows a gasket and punches a reporter. Almirola had some good qualifying runs but failed to get in victory lane or even come close to making the chase. I don't mean to hurt any feelings but the rest of the drivers are just an afterthought.

And finally, I bet that Jimmy Johnson feels like the walls are closing in. For God's sakes, he hasn't won a championhip in two whole seaons. I will be curious to see how the 24 team looks out of the starting gate. I just have a hunch that Jeff Gordon's brilliant career is coming to an end. I doubt that the 88 will do much this year. He hasn't done much in the last four seasons so why start now. Not that any of you care, but my pick to win the championship this year is the #5 of Kasey Kahne. He had a strong finish last year and I think this team is primed to win.

Well good luck to everyone this year and don't forget that I need your picks in by Sunday, February 17 at 11 A.M. Qualifying will be held Sunday afternoon. Lets go racin boys!!!