2008 NASCAR Preview- Driver Rankings (25th to 21st)
25. 96-J.J. Yeley, DLP HDTV Toyota Camry
Team- Hall Of Fame Racing
Following two unproductive seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing, J.J. Yeley will stay somewhat close to home as he has signed on to drive for Hall of Fame Racing, a team that is provided engine support through Joe Gibbs Racing. In his two seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing, Yeley only scored one top five along with six top tens. To make matters worse, he could not escape comparisons to his rookie counterpart, Denny Hamlin, who posted amazingly exceptional stats for a driver with his experience. Yeley never stood a chance. Fortunately, for Yeley, he will remain under the Joe Gibbs Racing umbrella so to speak, and he will benefit from solid sponsorship. More importantly, he will no longer have to stand in the shadows of Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin. Yeley’s results will not radically improve from his days with Joe Gibbs Racing, but the pressure of having to perform at the same level as Stewart and Hamlin will dissolve.
2007 prediction- 25th
2007 result- 21st
24. 22-Dave Blaney, Caterpillar Toyota Camry
Team- Bill Davis Racing
Dave Blaney’s 31st position in the final 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup standings was not indicative of how this team performed. With the exception of Brian Vickers, Blaney and the 22 team were consistently the fastest of all of the Toyota teams. Consequently, eight DNF’s marred what could have been a solid season for Blaney and his Bill Davis Racing team. Only Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Ryan Newman had more DNF’s. Three of the eight DNF’s occurred in the season’s first three races, relegating the 22 team well outside the all-important top 35 in the owner’s standings. Blaney had to play catch-up, and eventually, he guided the team back into the top 35 in owner’s points. A top ten team they are not, but it would not be surprising if they were to run near the top fifteen on a consistent basis.
2007 prediction- 33rd
2007 result- 31st
23. 19-Elliott Sadler, Best Buy/Stanley Tools/McDonald’s Dodge Charger
Team- Gillett Evernham Motorsports
The 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup season was not what Elliott Sadler had in mind when he left Robert Yates Racing to replace Jeremy Mayfield at Gillett Evernham Motorsports. So far, Sadler has yet to prove that he is an upgrade from Mayfield, who led the team to consecutive Chase for the Championship appearances in 2004 and 2005. In all fairness to Sadler, the entire organization underachieved in 2007, which forced a number of personnel amendments. Rodney Childers will take over as team director, or crew chief, of the 19 team. This team is not where they need to be in order to vie for a spot in NASCAR’s Chase for the Championship, as the field is just too deep, but it is hard to imagine the performance getting any worse.
2007 prediction- 19th
2007 result- 25th
22. 6-David Ragan, AAA Ford Fusion
Team- Roush Fenway Racing
Last year’s rookie of the year runner-up displayed flashes of potential throughout the season, especially at Richmond and Homestead where he finished third and tenth respectively. However, there were times when he appeared as if he was out of his league. Ragan had the unenviable task of replacing Mark Martin in the famed number 6 car, so the pressure had to be overwhelming. With that being considered, Ragan did a respectable job and he should continue to progress as a driver. Nevertheless, it would be surprising if he emerged as one of the twelve drivers competing for the championship in 2008.
2007 prediction- 34th
2007 result- 23rd
21. 41-Reed Sorenson, Target/Polaroid Dodge Charger
Team- Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
The time has come for Reed Sorenson to step out of mid-pack status. The 22-year old driver has not developed at the same pace as his former rookie opponents, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, and Martin Truex, Jr. Of course, Sorenson is much younger and less polished, and many would argue that Chip Ganassi Racing has provided inferior equipment. Still, a driver’s results are what measure his success and even respect among his peers. Obviously, the Georgia native has the ability; he just needs to step up his game. Sorenson could materialize as the surprise driver of the year. It is safe to say that this season is pivotal when it comes to Sorenson’s future at Chip Ganassi Racing. Expect a marginal improvement from 2007.
2007 prediction- 22nd
2007 result- 22nd
NASCAR Top 43 Countdown (5th to 1st)
NASCAR Top 43 Countdown (10th to 6th)
NASCAR Top 43 Coundtown (15th to 11th)
NASCAR Top 43 Countdown (20th to 16th)
NASCAR Top 43 Countdown (30th to 26th)
NASCAR Top 43 Countdown (35th to 31st)
NASCAR Top 43 Countdown (43rd to 36th)
