2009 Predictions

Alright, gang, I head to Daytona Wednesday morning at 0 dark 30. Can’t wait to see the first on-track action of 2009 — I’ll bring you lots of news and photos every day from Speedweeks. .

But first, some predictions about what to look for at Speedweeks and for the rest of the season:

• Kyle Busch will win at least one race during Speedweeks, most likely the Daytona 500.

• Mark Martin will also win a race during Speedweeks.

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. won’t. Neither will Carl Edwards or Jeff Gordon.

• Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman both finish in the top 20 in points in their first year with Stewart-Haas Racing, but neither driver makes the Chase.

• First-time teams to win races in 2009: Stewart-Haas, Red Bull Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing.

• Brian Vickers and David Ragan will make the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time in 2009.

• Kurt Busch will be the only Dodge driver in the Chase.

• Scott Speed bests Joey Logano for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.

• A whole mess of teams that didn’t race full time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series last year will try to race a full schedule in 2009. These include Phoenix Racing, Tommy Baldwin Racing, Prism Motorsports, the Bodine Brothers, NEMCO Motorsports, Kirk Shelmerdine and others. Prediction: Three of these teams will make at least 30 races in 2009.

• Jimmie Johnson sets a NASCAR record with his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup title.