1. Kasey Kahne -
Kahne can leave his current team, Richard Petty Motorsports, after the 2010 season. He has not yet made up his mind whether or not he will return, and how well the team runs this season will be the biggest factor.
Either way, I fully expect Joe Gibbs and Tony Stewart to be knocking on his door with a deal for 2011. Kasey has admitted that he really admires Stewart, so it’s reasonable to think a possible ride with Stewart/Haas can distract Kahne this year. I don’t see Kahne in the Chase this season, but I do in 2011 driving the third Stewart/Haas car.
2. Brian Vickers -
Vickers had a fantastic 2009, winning one race and six poles, while putting the 83 in the Chase. Although Red Bull racing made major strides last season, there are simply too many good drivers in top-notch equipment for Vickers to repeat the success of 2009.
3. Ryan Newman –
Newman surprised all of us in 2009 by making the Chase in his first season with Stewart/Haas Racing. But now that we have the full year to look back on, Newman underachieved compared to how well his teammate Tony Stewart ran. The Rocketman does not consistently compete for Top 5’s, which will keep him out of the 2010 Chase.
If Kahne, Vickers and Newman aren’t going to make the Chase, then who will? Be sure to check back tomorrow when I select the 12 drivers who will make this year’s Chase for the Cup and compete for the Sprint Cup Championship.
i could see Biffle or Hamlin with his knee giving him problems being beat out but i’m going to say the 3 mentioned will be the only ones. If Kahne’s team has their stuff together i think he gets in, as he’s an underrated driver in my book.
Kahne really seemed to like his new blue oval after the Shootout!
All three guys could be in danger, I agree.
Kahne may be the toughest one to predict out of the bunch, in my opinion, as he’s always been a tough guy to predict with accuracy how well (or not well) he’s going to do heading into the season. An inconsistent performer week to week, as well as year to year. A hotshot rookie who nearly cracks the top ten in points, looks like a darkhorse contender the next year and then he flops while finishing down in the 20′s. Expectations become lower for him after that, and what does he do the next year? Goes out and wins a suprising number of races the next year. Okay, maybe he will be a contender. Then another big drop off in points follows where he leaves behind a long line of torn up race cars.
Newman and his team have a bunch of work to do on the intermediate tracks, as that was a significant weakness of their’s last year. Those tracks might be his downfall as far as his chances of making the Chase. Was just mediocre on them, although he grabbed a few good finishes on them due to some smart pit strategy and some other drivers’ misfortunes. Lots of things fell into place for him last year and helped him secure a spot. I wouldn’t expect the same sort of “luck” this year for Newman.
Do we really think Roush has improved over the off season and will place both Biffle and Edwards in the Chase in 2010? I think Vickers will be out, but Kahne and a new Ford engine could have early and often success. Newman got in last year on consistent enough results during the regular season and that is what it takes to make the Chase. JMO
Do you see anyone else missing out from last year Kyle?
all 3!