Nascar Blogs : ENCToday

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 8 Greg Biffle

I am very often amazed Biffle's inconstancy. And yet, I am picking him to be pretty consistent in 2010. The Biff has been close to being the first guy to win a championship in all three NASCAR Series, he has missed the chase. All and all, he is one of the top 10 drivers in the series, but he is going to have to show me more, before I can consider him a series championship contender. He's good, but I'm just not convicted he's great...yet.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 9 Kasey Kahne

This is a big year for Kasey Kahne and the number 9 team. He's been through a lot of change during his time at what is now Richard Petty Motorsports. As the flag ship driver of the organization, he has held up his end of the bargain, including returning the King to victory lane last season. But if things don't improve for Kahne, he has made it clear that he will look elsewhere when his contract expires at the end of the season. Honestly though, I'm not sure that RPM is up to speed as an organization to give Kahne what he needs to make him happy enough to stay.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 10 Mark Martin

There's not doubt, the old man has still got it. In 2009 he came out of semi-retirement and set the NASCAR world on fire with his runner up performance. But the sport is so competitive, it will be tough for the 5 team to repeat that kind of success in 2010, especially with the likes of Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin sure to step up their game this season. Martin will likely win races, and even if Martin lands at my predicted 10th in the points, 2010 will still be a good season for the old veteran.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 11 Matt Kenseth

Even though the Chase for the Championship was made because of Matt Kenseth and his one win Championship in 2003, Kenseth seemed to be made for the chase. That is until for the first time since its inception, the Number 17 team missed the chase. I really feel like he will be back in 2010, That being said, although Kenseth is good at making in the chase, he has never really been able to do much once he gets in. Kenseth fans would probably like to see the points race go back to the pre-chase format. As it stands, Kenseth is a 7-12 place driver.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 12 Ryan Newman

2009 marked a return to the chase for Ryan Newman. The move to Stewart Haas racing appears to be good for Newman. He looks comfortable and he drives more like the kid who beat Jimmie Johnson for ROY and won the All-Star race that same year. We all know the "Rocket Man" can go fast. He is the best qualifier in the sport. But other than in 2003, Newman has not been able to put together a season with more than 2 victories and he hasn't been to victory lane since the 2008 Daytona 500. If Newman can get back to 2003 form, I am going to look pretty dumb, but I think 2011 will be the big year for Newmie.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 13 Marcos Ambrose

Honestly, I can't put my finger on the reason why I think this could be a big year for Ambrose. I guess you could call it a hunch. I had the same feeling last year about Brian Vickers (who I correctly predicted would make the 2009 chase). The Aussie was impressive last season. And he was in effect a rookie, at least this was his first full season in cup, JTG Daugherty racing is a kind of a one car team, kind of a part of Michael Waltrip racing, which works for Ambrose. I think you will see him in victory lane in 2010, most likely at a road course but maybe at a Bristol or Talladega. If he can put it together at the intermediate tracks, he might just sneak into the chase.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 15 Juan Pablo Montoya and Number 14 Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is talented, maybe the most naturally gifted driver in the garage. But Kyle Busch is still a kid. Sure he is 24 years old and starting his 7th full season on the Sprint Cup level. But he can's seem to figure out the most important formula: You can't win every race, but if you don't finish every race you will not win a championship. To Busch's credit he is backing off some of the "other" racing he does and he also seems to have learned a lot from his Nationwide Series Championship. If he can transfer that to the cut level...watch out!

Juan Pablo Montoya seemed to come out of no where in 2009, but it really wasn't out of no where. The guy is a winner. He has won on every level he has competed at. 2010 will be difficult for him. The competition continues to get tougher and tougher. You have to believe that RCR and Roush-Fenway will be better this season. Montoya has to find a way to win races and he has to find a way to win on tracks that are outside his confront zone. 2009 was a huge step forward for JPM, but 2010 could be a baby step back.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

The Best of the Rest for 2010

The 2010 season starts in just two weeks. And in the days leading up to the Daytona 500, I am going to share my ballot in the 2010 pre-season Media Poll. It's not scientific and if past history is any indiction, it's probably not even close to being right. But it is a little something to talk about leading up to the Great American race. Before we get to the big boys (the top 15) Here's the best of the rest or drivers 16-30.
#30 Robby Gordon: Robby finished 29th in the standings last season and with the loss of one of his sponsors, it becomes even more difficult for him
#29 Bobby Labonte: The former cup champion starts his first full season at TRG Motorsports. The team is under funded, but Labonte will find away to make them competitive at tracks like Talladega and Bristol
#28 Casey Mears: Mears has been the odd man out at Ganassi, Hendrick and RCR. And no team has given him consistency for an entire season. He will likely get that as the driver of Keyed Up Motorsports, but he wont have a guaranteed spot in the first 6 races of the season or the quality of equipment he is used to driving
#27 Elliott Sadler: Salder is excited to be back in a Ford, but Richard Petty Motorsports may not be able to give him the car he needs, to help Salder find the success he found early in his career driving blue ovals
#26 David Reutimann: Reutimann made great strides in 2009, even winning a race. But it will be hard for him to maintain that level of performance in 2010
#25 Joey Logano: The kid showed flashes in 2009, even winning a race. But he really a year or two away from being a true chase contender
#24 Brad Keselowski: The kid has talent, but he had to be the luckiest guy in NASCAR last season. With a win before he ever ran his first full season in Cup, the pressure will be on
#23 AJ Allmendinger: The Dinger showed flashes in 2009, he also had his share of controversy. 2010 will be a big year for AJ and Richard Petty Motorsports to prove they have something
#22 David Ragan: 2009 was a season Ragan would just as soon forget. It will get better in 2010, just not quite as good as it was in 2008
#21 Dale Earnhardt, Jr: Junior says he doesn't know what good chemistry with a crew chief is, cause he's never had it. Unless he can find it with Lance McGrew, it's hard to see him as a chase contender
#20 Jamie McMurray: Jamie was always the E driver at Roush-Fenway racing. He is now back with Chip Ganassi, where he enjoyed his greatest success as a driver
#19 Kevin Harvick: 2010 could end up being a throw away season for Harvick and RCR. It seems more and more likely that Harvick will not be back with Childress in 2011.
#18 Jeff Burton: It's not that Jeff Burton has forgotten how to drive, it just that the competition is that much better. Burton needs to find away to win multiple races in order to be a chase contender
#17 Martin Truex, Junior: The move to Michael Waltrip racing could pay off long term for Truex, but 2010 will likely be a year of growing pains. However look for Truex to make a return to Victory Lane this season
#16 Brian Vickers: Can Brian get his groove back. He was spectacular in his drive to make the 2009 chase. But looked quite pedestrian over the last 10 races

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE
You can also check out the Backstretch Blog Overdrive on Facebook HERE
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

The Backstretch Blog is Back

The Backstretch Blog: Auld Lang Syne to the 2009 NASCAR Season

Should last years races be forgot,
And tv ratings dive,
Should Junior nation be distraught,
And Jimmie drives for five,

For all the park and rides, my dear,
for Carl Edwards' wild ride
we'll toast another Sprint Cup year,
for auld lang syne.

Should Danicia bring ARCA spice,
NASCAR says Mayfield lied,
Keselowski's win was just a fluke,
And Stremme lost his ride,

For all the park and rides, my dear,
for Hamlin's twitter lines
we'll toast another Sprint Cup year,
for auld lang syne.

Mark Martin's runner up again,
And NASCAR's Hall looks fine
Childress has an awful year
But Stewart-Haas sure shines

For all the park and rides, my dear,
for where ever Montoya dines
we'll toast another Sprint Cup year,
for auld lang syne.

Kentucky's lawsuit it drags on
Vickers a chase surprise,
Kahne returns the King to Victory lane,
Ambrose is on the rise,

Logano, Reutimann both get wins
And Mikey Waltrip takes a bow
Kyle Busch is smashing rare guitars
And we have double file restarts now.

For all the park and rides, my dear,
for stories slipped my mind
we'll toast another Sprint Cup year,
for auld lang syne.

You can follow the Backstretch Blog on Twitter by clicking HERE.
(The views and opinions represented here are mine and mine alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of any other employee or the management of WTVC-TV or Freedom Broadcasting Corp.)

Home

Nascar News

Nascar Blogs

Nascar Blogs

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 8 Greg Biffle

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 9 Kasey Kahne

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 10 Mark Martin

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 11 Matt Kenseth

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 12 Ryan Newman

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 13 Marcos Ambrose

Pre-Season Top 15: Number 15 Juan Pablo Montoya and Number 14 Kyle Busch

The Best of the Rest for 2010

The Backstretch Blog is Back

The Backstretch Blog: Auld Lang Syne to the 2009 NASCAR Season

See Archives