Outside Looking In: A Look at the Non Top 35

There are a lot of Sprint Cup Teams out there that have yet to establish themselves, and therefore are sitting outside the top 35 and not guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500.

No. 08 Carter Racing

Carter is best known for the 2000 season with D.W, now a part-time start and park team, that will put the oldest man ever to compete, James Hylton, in the car and is also rumored to have Kyle Petty behind the wheel in 2009.

No. 09 James Finch Racing

Finch Racing has shown up at restrictor plate events, with Sterling Marlin and Mike Wallace.

No. 4 Morgan McClure Motersports

This team was planning on racing when Stewart-Haas was wanting to use the No. 4, but now, who knows, since Larry was just convicted of tax invasion.

No. 13 Germain Racing

Germain Racing used Max Papis to try and get in races last year, and was the slowest car at the track. So don't expect much.

No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing

With "Smoke" himself being a past champion, he should fare well. And being in a Hendrick Motorsports supplied team, he should be just fine; expect wins from this team in 2009. Stewart also will be fine making the first six races (with his past champions provisionals, but I don't expect him having to use many, if any).

No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing

Rumor has it Awesome Bill Elliot (who hasn't been that awesome lately) may be attempting a few races with low fields expected to turn out each week.

No. 25 Hendrick Motorsports

Brad Keselowski will pilot this car for seven races in 2009. It's a Hendrick team, which seems to win every race they try and has claimed the championship three years in a row. This team will make the races and may even compete some places.

No. 33 Richard Childress Racing

Clint Bowyer enters 2009 in a place he's never been before, outside the top-35.  After making the Chase two times, he may even miss the Daytona 500 if a lot of entries show up. An missed race in the first five races and he could be in trouble, possibly not making the Chase this year.

No. 34 Front Row Motorsports

Please stay at home, we are tired of start and parks, let someone make the field that will go at least 10 laps into the race.

No. 36 Tommy Baldwin

Dave Blaney is rumored to this car and a lot of Bill Davis Racing folks appear to be heading over Baldwin's way. Huh? I wonder if director of competition will be ol' Bill Davis himself.

No. 46 Long Racing

See the No. 34.

No. 49 BAM Racing

This team disappeared last year and hasn't been heard of since. No word on whether they will return to the track in 2009 or not.

No. 50 Stanton Barrett Racing

This team is the only start and park team with a good sponsor in NOS Energy Drink. The former Hollywood stuntman (Stanton Barrett) has packed his bag and went to the IRL; he'll be back.

No. 60 No Fear Racing

All you Said heads, he will be around, but not full-time. In 2009, Jack Roush has tried to help get him full-time sponsorship; it just hasn't happened. 

No. 75 Cope/Keller Racing

Former Daytona 500 winner Derrick Cope will be behind the wheel of this ERG Dodge. But let's be real, Cope, you got lucky that Sunday afternoon when Dale Earnhardt blew a tire.

No. 78 Furniture Row Racing

Regan Smith, 2008 Rookie of the Year, shouldn't be too bad in 2009. I mean the guy did win at Talladega, and yes I did say that SMOKE Fans, deal with it. If "Front Row Joe" can get a pole, Smith can. It's sad to see him in a under-funded team.

No. 96 Hall Of Fame Racing

My only advice for you, hire Tony Rains back. He had it in the top-35 in 2007, before J.J. Yeley had a horrible year in 2008.

No. 98 Yates Racing

Paul Menard, with Yates Racing. It's a bona fide Roush Team. I expect top five finishes this year and top 15 in points. I also expect a win.

By the way: I'm a big fan of Menard!

Some other teams: Phil Parsons says he is bringing a team to Daytona, and it's not a start and park team.

We'll also see R3 Motorsports, who plans to run part-time. Possible drivers are Robert Richardson Jr. or Ken Butler III.

Lots of outsiders this year looking in. Can they make it in, and if they do, who will fall out?