20. 43-Bobby Labonte, Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge Charger
Team- Petty Enterprises
Bobby Labonte could emerge as the most significant piece of the silly season puzzle in 2008. He is entering a contract year with Petty Enterprises, and there could be several teams in search of an established veteran, who, by the way, owns a championship. Of course, the Petty’s are not going to let Labonte walk without a fight. The Petty and Labonte collaboration has been a popular one, but not as successful as they were hoping for. Still, Labonte has provided the 43 team with some of its best performances in over a decade. If Labonte returns to victory lane, it will likely be at a track such as Bristol or Richmond, but even at that, he is a long shot.
2007 prediction- 20th
2007 result- 18th
19. 26-Jamie McMurray, Crown Royal/IRWIN Industrial Tools Ford Fusion
Team- Roush Fenway Racing
It is safe to say that Jamie McMurray’s two-year tenure at Roush Fenway Racing has not been as successful as he envisioned. The 2007 Sprint Cup season was an improvement from 2006, and he ended his five-year winless skid, but Jack Roush expects more out of the driver that he fought so hard to sign back in 2005. McMurray will begin the 2008 NASCAR season on the hot seat, and if he does not improve, he may be the odd-man out when Roush Fenway Racing downsizes to four teams. McMurray’s best shot another victory will be at either Daytona or Talladega, as he is exceptional at the restrictor plate tracks, but he is simply not a Chase for the Championship contender right now.
2007 prediction- 21st
2007 result- 17th
18. 9-Kasey Kahne, Budweiser Dodge Charger
Team- Gillett Evernham Motorsports
Which Kasey Kahne is going to show up in 2008? The one that won six races in 2006, or the one that posted only a single top five in 2007? Kahne is a tough driver to rank simply because he is either a top five driver, or a driver fighting to stay among the top 20. There seems to be no in between. Gillett Evernham Motorsports struggled as a whole in 2007, so Kahne cannot be fully to blame, but his frustration was evident. The typically serene driver allowed his emotions to get the best of him on several occasions throughout the year. If he and his team can get a handle on the new car, Kahne could emerge as the comeback driver of the year. However, most of Kahne’s past success occurred in the car of yesteryear, so I would not count on him dominating the intermediate style tracks as he did in 2006. We will know by April if the new Budweiser spokesperson is going to be a consistent frontrunner or if he is going to spend another season as an also-ran.
2007 prediction- 6th
2007 result- 19th
17. 42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Texaco Havoline Dodge Charger
Team- Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
Juan Pablo Montoya’s transformation from an open-wheel veteran to a NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie was impressive and several opponents will attest to that. Montoya started the season off as a dart without feathers as he ticked off just about every driver you can imagine, but as the season progressed, he gradually became more patient, and he appeared more comfortable in the significantly heavier stock cars. Actually, the turning point seemed to be at Watkins Glen when he and Kevin Harvick nearly came to blows following an incident late in the race. Since that infamous confrontation, Montoya’s attitude improved and he began to respect his competitors and he would cruise to the Rookie of the Year title. Montoya will likely earn his first win at an oval track, but he is another year or so away from contending for the Sprint Cup title.
2007 prediction- 28th
2007 result- 20th
16. 16-Greg Biffle, 3M Ford Fusion
Team- Roush Fenway Racing
With the exception of Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Greg Biffle was the most disappointing driver of the 2007 season. After winning the season finale at Homestead in November of 2006, many analysts felt as if Biffle had momentum on his side. Unfortunately, he slumped through the first half of the season, which raised questions regarding his future at Roush Fenway Racing. Due to sponsorship woes, many felt as if Biffle was the odd-man out at Roush Fenway. However, Roush officials have repeatedly affirmed that they want to lock Biffle into a long-term agreement. Biffle wants to see how the season plays out before he signs a contract extension. This team seems to lack the consistency that Matt Kenseth and the 17 team possess, which may keep them out of the Chase for the Championship for a third consecutive season. It seems as if the problems within this team began when Roush released Doug Richert as the team’s crew chief prior to the 2007 season.
2007 prediction- 3rd
2007 result- 14th
NASCAR Driver Rankings (25th to 21st)
NASCAR Driver Rankings (30th to 26th)
NASCAR Driver Rankings (35th to 31st)
NASCAR Driver Rankings (43rd to 36th)
