5 DRIVERS I'M WATCHING IN 2011
There’s a reason everyone loves a new year. For those who experienced adversity or failure in the year prior, they get fresh start; a clean slate fresh for writing a new chapter to the story. For the young, it’s an opportunity to further build on the foundation that’s been set; perhaps a rite of passage to maturity is in store.
NASCAR drivers are no different. For Jimmie Johnson, 2010 further built his legacy. For Denny Hamlin, it was a breakout year. Jamie McMurray experienced a season of redemption. Kevin Harvick came back. On the other end of the scale, Jeff Gordon came so close, yet so far. It was another season of frustration for NASCAR’s favorite son -- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2010 was a lost season for Brian Vickers.
There are plenty of story lines ready for 2011. Here are five I have my eye on…..
Carl Edwards. Two season-end victories ended a protracted drought for the 2008 runner-up. The vast majority of Edwards’ season was proof of how a perfectly good driver is running in wet cement without a horse to ride. What happens in the shop during the off-season can change everything, however Edwards may be very well poised to dethrone Johnson.
Denny Hamlin. You NFL fans have heard about the “Super Bowl Hangover”; the phenomenon where a team comes so close and misses it and then is so deflated they struggle the following year. Hamlin takes losing hard, very hard. How will this affect the 2010 runner-up in ‘11? That may be the real test of maturity for series leader in wins (8).
Joey Logano. While most were focused on the tight chase race between Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick, the phenom wrapped up 2010 with five top tens in his last six races. This season will be his third at the Cup level, often the time when we really begin to get a sense of a driver’s potential. Something else to watch where Logano is concerned is how he handles future “incidents” with other drivers. Some say he went from one extreme to another; from a pushover to a pugilist. Will other competitors try and/or succeed at getting in his head?
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. His harshest critics say he’s NASCAR’s 7-Up. You know, “Never had it, never will.” That dismisses what was at one point, a very promising career before stalling out. Rick Hendrick has shaken the HMS etch-a-sketch to try to get any driver not named Jimmie kick-started, with a special emphasis on trying to get Junior going good again. This may be Earnhardt’s last shot at relevance. He can do it, the talent is there. But will he?
Jimmie Johnson. Huh? Sooner or later his run of dominance will end, but will this be the year? Conventional wisdom says “no,” but we’re neither conventional, nor suffer the burden of being wise, so we’ll see. He got raced hard last year, and someday, they’ll catch the five-time champion.
12 Comments
Stumble
Twitter
What about Smoke? He's maybe the best all around driver out there right now. As his company stabalizes under new leadership he can concentrate on driving and go back to the winners circle. Concerning Dale Jr, with the right team he might surprise people. He has the talent, he already has shown potential. Maybe he finaly has the right crew chief
I am a die hard Earnhardt fan, I watched Dale senior race for27 years. I was extremely happy to see Jr come to the series. He had a lot of promise early on, and I was expecting a great run with Hendrick. I have been very disappointed in his past few years. I hope Hendrick continues to help improve Jr's chances. I don't think win or lose that HMS will get rid of JR for many years. He is to profitable in merchandise and sponsor money. His name is huge and that is what he is riding on right now. I hope he gets it together before that gravy train runs out.
You know Jr. better do something and do it in a hurry. Hendricks already said that Kasey is the future of Hendricks Motorsports. So, if Jr. doesn't get his head out of his butt this year mark my words he will be on Monster.com looking for a JOB next season. Rick Hendricks can only take so many years of excuses and with Kahne jumping in the mix next year Jr. is definitly out! Lagano still has a long way to go before he is racing for the cup. I think Hamlin will have another solid year but still will not win a championship. Edwards will also be competitive but not a champion. I think that #4 Red Bull Toyota with K.K behind the wheel will be a sleeper this season. He sure looked tough in testing this past weekend and you can tell he is ecstatic about being out from under RPMs black cloud of speculation.
@MM. There's no arguing his results- especially in 2010- were nothing special. But what do you say about the performance of his earlier career? Do we just dismiss that? What about the well-kown drivers faring worse than he? Using your critera, there'd be a lot of illustrious names relegated to the Saturday night circuit. An even better question- who do you propose should fill his/their seats?
@overr88ted. I did it just to get your attention.;-) You must have r88dar. Answer me this: do you actually root FOR anything (I have no idea who your're FOR.), or do you have a pathetic little existence solely based on h88ting a certain driver, and nothing more. Never was? Apparently your knowledge of NASCAR history must run back to, oh say, 2008, because if it went just few years earlier, then you'd know he has a couple of top five season finishes. My point here, that you seem to have missed, is that whether you like it or not (I think it must be a man crush you're denial about) he is NASCAR's most popular driver for NASCAR's top team, and they're throwing a lot at trying to turn him around. My point is this is the season it's got to start paying off. That's why I'm watching.
@wndale21. Perhaps this will help: I am not watching for historical signifance, because indeed, there's no known history gunning for, as of yet. At the same time, we are talking about NASCAR's most popular driver, who happens to drive for what is arguably NASCAR's top team. Hendrick has thrown a lot at trying to get him on the winning track, and if it works, it makes RH look like a genius. If it doesn't, Jr.'s career continues its down hill slide. I am watching this, because i think for Hendrick, Earnhardt, and his fans, there's a lot on the line here- especially having an idea of how much money is invested in him.
Really? Dale Earnhardt Jr.? That makes no sense, you justified all the other drivers but for Jr you just said he used to be good, so this year he is gonna be good. Well, I have to disagree. Dale Jr. is going to have another year like the last four. So, how about watching someone like Jeff Gordon who is a 4 time champion that has been off his mark the past 2 years? Or how about watching Tony Stewart who is coming into his 3rd year as a driver-owner and finally has his organization running? Or how about watching Greg Biffle who has won both a truck and Nationwide Championship who would be the only one going for getting all three major touring series championships. Or what about Kyle Busch who has gotten close in years past but things have fallen apart for him down near the end. If you're saying what I think you are saying as in 5 drivers to watch for making a run at the Championship or even exciting racing I believe you are highly mistaking with Dale Jr in there.
 | JEFF GORDON: NASCAR'S GAME-CHANGING DRIVER
//MORE
|
 | SUNDAY THE GIANT KILLERS PREVAILED
//MORE
|
 | WHY KURT BUSCH IS GOOD FOR NASCAR
//MORE
|
 | 'SHUT UP & DRIVE" HE SAID!
//MORE
|
 | EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT KYLE BUSCH WELL
//MORE
|
|
ALL RAIN
!