The smell of fresh rubber tires grinding against asphalt along with thousands of screaming drunken fans only means one thing...that NASCAR is about to begin! America's fastest growing sport has seen its popularity decline the past few years, but due to some off-season rule changes and letting the drivers "race" sets up this year to be the one of the best in a very long time.
The tradition continues with the first race being held at the birthplace of NASCAR, Daytona Beach, Florida. This years race has some interesting story lines already as Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. starting 1 and 2 and Jimmie Johnson crashing during practice.
This is a year Earnhardt Jr. will need to be a banner year. After he finished out of the top 20 in last year standings. This is after his teammates finished 1-2-3- in the final standings. Earnhardt Jr. was suppose to be the next great in the sport just like his late father Earnhardt Sr. But after last season's debacle it seems Earnhardt Jr. has become more of a name than a good driver. Winning only one race in two years doesn't make a driver even an average driver, more like a bottom of the barrel driver. I hope to see Earnhardt Jr. come back alive and dominate this season and put his name back up their with names like Johnson and Gordon. Only time will tell to see if he will be able to do this.
Another story line to be looking for in this year's circuit has to go to the Home Depot car of Joey Logano and how many wins will he get this year. After a rookie campaign where he had one victory at New Hampshire, can he build on that success and get into the win column multiple times this year? The answer should be yes as I see him getting at least two wins this season. You better jump on this kids bandwagon early because he is going to be a great one!
The most intriguing story-line coming into this season will be if Jimmie Johnson can five-peat for the championship, something that has never been done or thought of being capable of doing. No one thought it was possible to four-peat a championship and Jimmie proved them wrong last season and is poised to bring the Lowes car another Sprint cup championship this year. I will be shocked if he doesn't win it this year but having said all that here is my prediction for the Race for the Chase standings:
1. Mark Martin- after coming close so many times, you would think the NASCAR gods will give him one championship
2. Jimmie Johnson- Sense a little Florida/Alabama reversal here
3. Kyle Busch- Remember Me? I still have what it takes to win
4. Joey Logano- Coming out party and yes im old enough to have a license to drive
5. Jeff Gordon- steady as always
6. Carl Edwards- I can do more than flips
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr.- I can still drive people
8. Denny Hamlin- I'm faster than FED-EX
9. Juan Pablo Montoya- Surprise I'm here?
10. Tony Stewart- Proved last year i still have what it takes
11. Ryan Newman- Hello Newman
12. Martin Truex Jr.- I hope Braden is right and I get into the chase
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