Some Things To Ponder

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

Johnson Looks to Make History – Again

Last season, Jimmie Johnson became the first driver in 30 years to win three consecutive championships and of course we're all watching for him to make a run at Cup Number 4!

With crew chief Chad Knaus back atop the pit box, all the ingredients are there. One problem: The bull's eye on the No. 48 team is even bigger. Plenty of teams are looking to knock them off.  For instance…

Edwards and Kyle Busch were Near the Goal

This close. That could've been the catchphrase for both Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch in 2008. Only a couple missteps – errors eventual champ Jimmie Johnson avoided – derailed their respective championship hopes.

Edwards won a series-high nine races during 2008, finishing second in the points standings. Only an accident at Talladega (Courtesy of a mistake by Carl) and engine troubles at Lowe's Motor Speedway during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup kept him from hoisting the championship trophy.

A winner of eight "regular season" races, Busch came into the Chase as the top seed – and runaway favorite. But engine trouble in the first to Chase events derailed his title hopes.
Will they rebound in 2009?

Gordon Wants Himself a New Streak

Last season stumped a win streak for four-time series champion Jeff Gordon. He had won at least two races a year for 14 consecutive year. Last year he won none. Despite this one foible, Gordon ended up in seventh in championship points.

New Faces In New Places

A number of drivers will have new homes this season. Here are a few:

    * After a 10-year run with Joe Gibbs Racing that included two series championships, Tony Stewart starts his own team in 2009 – Stewart-Haas Racing. He'll drive the No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet.

    * Joining Stewart at his two-car operation will be Ryan Newman, the 2008 Daytona 500 champion. Newman spent the last seven full seasons driving a Dodge with Penske Racing. This season he'll be in the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet.

    * Mark Martin returns for one more shot at an elusive championship. He joins a powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports team that has captured the last three series titles with Jimmie Johnson – and eight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships in all. Martin will drive the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet.

    * Richard Petty doesn't have a new home, but has a few new partners. Petty Enterprises joined forces with Gillett Evernham Motorsports to form a four-car operation. One of the stable's drivers, though, is new – Reed Sorenson. Previously with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Sorenson will drive the No. 43 Dodge this season.

    * The same holds true for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The two companies merged, with drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Martin Truex Jr. and Aric Almirola under the Earnhardt/Ganassi umbrella.