Predicting the Top 12 Sprint Cup Drivers in 2009

Contributor Written on February 02, 2009

Slide 1 of 15

As we near the start of another NASCAR season it is time for many to really look at what has changed. So this could be considered the year of the merger as you have Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprise came together to form Richard Petty Motorsports.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. joined forces with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Tony Stewart left the only team he ever knew to start his own team and brought Ryan Newman. Mark Martin made Hendricks' super team complete by coming out of partial retirement to try and win a championship.

Overall, there have been 13 major driver changes. Dale Jr. has had an offseason that was very uneventful. But my biggest surprise leading into 2009 is the appearance of Jimmie Johnson's facial hair.

So on we go to who I believe will be the top 12 at year's end.

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Predicting the Top 12 Sprint Cup Drivers in 2009

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