NASCAR Crystal Ball: 2009 Predictions

As the 2009 NASCAR season approaches, let's take some time and see what the crystal ball has hidden inside of it.

1. Will Jimmie Johnson repeat? Is there anybody on a better roll than Johnson and Chad Knaus? The answer to both is a resounding no!

The No. 48 Lowe's home improvement team is as solid as it gets and will be the man to beat again. Chad Knaus may be the best crew chief of all time, only time will tell. If anybody can win four in a row its this team and this driver, but the law of averages eventually catches up with you. Four to six wins is what I see!

2. Does Tony Stewart's RETURN TO CHEVROLET ensure him a shot at the title? Stewart will win at least three races this year and will make the chase. Hendrick is supplying the  motors, chassis's, engineering, crew chiefs and every resource that can give him to ensure that. Smoke will have a legitimate shot during 09. Besides he inherited a seven post rig, his very own wind tunnel, A STATE OF THE ART GARAGE and a partner with unlimited resources!.There are four wind tunnels in North America and he has access 24/7.

3. Will Kyle Busch be dominant again in 09? The answer is yes! Busch will be more motivated to show everybody that last year wasn't a fluke. Rowdy will win between three and eight races and will be as fast and exciting again with another year to develop the Toyota and another year with crew chief Steve Addington.

4. Is this the year Mark Martin finally wins a cup championship? NO, But he will be better than he was last year which was very competitive.Martin moved over to Hendrick Motorsports in the off season and will reap the benefits with  unlimited resources, a great crew chief in Alan Gustafson,great team-mates, and great motors. Martin will be a factor and should have his three teammates in the chase as well,but not this year for the championship, one win for sure for this forever young veteran.

5. Can anybody stop Carl Edwards? With Roush as his team, the answer is no in 09. Edwards will win between three and eight races and when its all said and done will be the 2009 champion.Mr backflip will be doing again this year a bunch.With the new no- testing policy the Aflac bunch will hard to beat.

6. Will Jeff Gordon win a race in 09? Yes, last year he had his chances but something was terribly wrong with the chemistry between himself and his crew chief Steve Letarte.Gordon is a lock to contend at the road courses and should be a factor most anywhere he goes. Three wins and a spot in the chase.

7. Will Dale Earnhardt JR win more than one race?  A loud yes, June-bug will win at least three times this year and junior nation will be at a all-time frenzy.For JR to win a championship he has to listen to what his crew chief Tony Eury JR says and go with it, not argue like two year olds.The resources are there with Hendrick, its time to put up or shut up!

8. Can the Biff win it all? Greg Biffle was as fast as anybody in the garage  last season.Crew chief Greg Erwin has this team upfront every week.Biffle has the skills and the resources from Roush to win it all, but all I see is three wins and a spot in the chase.

2009 Chase for the championship drivers  in order of finish!

1-Carl Edwards=Country Carl grabs the big prize.

2-Kyle Busch=2010 FAVORITE, with a little luck could be 2009 CHAMP.

3-Jimmie Johnson=Bad luck ruins his chance for 4 in a row.

4-Greg Biffle=Climbing the ladder, hoping 2010 will be his year.

5-Dale Earnhardt JR= A TOP 5 in the standings will have JR nation going crazy.

6-Denny Hamlin= Will be top 5 in points all season long but will fall in the chase.

7-Tony Stewart=If he clicks with Darian Grubb early, he will be better than this.Most talented  and most emotional driver on the planet.

8-Kevin Harvick= Owning to many teams has to be a DISTRACTION.

9-Jeff Gordon=IN the twilight of his career, I don't think he has a Championship run in 09,but if he runs more consistent, 2010 with his talent you never know.

10-Matt Kenseth=Another year and another crew chief spells doom to his chances in 09,Bring back Robbie Reiser.

11-Clint Bowyer=New crew chief Shane Wilson will try to rub some of his nationwide magic over to the cup side and if he does Bowyer will finish in the top 5 in 2010.New number(33)  and new sponsor may pay dividends.

12-Mark Martin=4th Hendrick entry in the chase,will win a race in 09 and if there is anybody who could pull the big upset and win it all that man would be MARK MARTIN.Fast in anything he gets in period!

OUTSIDERS LOOKING IN=Jeff Burton,David Ragan,Ryan Newman and Brian Vickers.

Rookie of the year=Joey Logano, Sliced bread himself.

LET'S GO RACING, BOYS!