Penske Racing has been arguably the second best team in the series over the past two years. The young combo of Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski have been able to consistently win races and compete week in and week out. With one championship in 2012, the team came so close to grabbing its second of the chase era last season with Logano.
I expect the duo to continue to win races and run up front throughout the year. Both drivers should make the chase easily. I really think they have a solid chance at a title. If they can avoid some wrecks in the chase and maybe some other bad luck, they will compete late in the season.
The best single car team in the field is now a two car team. Furniture Row Racing enjoyed an extreme amount of success last year. The move to Toyota looked like a genius move for the Denver based organization. With the addition of Erik Jones, who I think could be the best rookie in the series since Kevin Harvick, the team is on the verge of greatness. Look for multiple wins from both teams this season. There might be some growing pains early in the year, but once the new car smell wears off the team will be a force.
The Ganassi boys made a little noise last season with Kyle Larson grabbing his first ever Cup win. Jamie McMurray made the chase and all seemed to be going well for the two car team. I think they achieved all they can hope for in a season. If McMurray grabs a win this year, which I think the chances are slim, the team will have to be satisfied. Expect maybe one win from the team, grabbing multiple is far stretch. I think the team just does not have what it takes to drive with the other top teams.
As far as the rest of the field, I don't expect much. Petty has struggled to compete this decade. JTG racing will have its competitiveness hurt with the addition of another team. Roush continues to fall. I expect the Ford team to struggle for top 10's. Especially with the loss of their veteran driver Greg Biffle.
The playoff field will be very similar to last year's. Look for Kyle Busch to lock up the regular season title. The fact that Harvick will be switching manufacturers and the 18's ability to dominate races sets up the perfect formula for him to earn those extra playoff points. The rest of the field will fall just about as expected. All four Gibbs cars should be in, despite the rookie Daniel Suarez joining the team. Both Penske cars, the 24, the 48, and the 88 from Hendrick, both Furniture Row cars, Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick from SHR, Jamie McMurray, and my dark horse playoff pick A.J. Almendinger.
When the dust settles in Miami Kyle Busch with hoisting the first ever Monster Energy Nascar Cup. I know it's not a risky pick, but the Vegas product is just too good to pick against.
The first cars hit the track Thursday. I can already feel it. It's time. Let's go racing.
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