Carl Edwards: 2009 Nationwide Series Champ (Plus First-Time Winners)

With the NASCAR season just weeks away, I figured I'd give you my predictions on winners for the up coming Nationwide Series.

First off, we will see a few first-time winners, some of which will have no Cup affiliation.

Here we go:

The 10 time winner Kyle Busch will definitely win a few, not 10, but maybe five this year. Carl Edwards is a given to take home his first Nationwide Championship this year. Clint Bowyer (the defending champ) is always a threat.

Denny Hamlin will score a win midway through the season en route to a disappointing year. Jeff Burton (in RCR equipment) is a definite threat in '09 for a few wins. Ryan Newman (driving a Kevin Harvick owned car) will pull off an early season win already, being a six time winner without ever running a full season.

Matt Kenseth will pull a fuel mileage victory out of his pocket in a Roush-Fenway Ford. Brad Keselowski will be impressive this year and have the most wins in the series with seven.

Joey Logono should be a threat about every race, but the sophomore slump will take its toll on him.

Next, as announced last night Paul Menard makes his return to the Nationwide Series with Yates Racing. With the affiliation to Roush, he will also pull about two race wins.

 Scott Wimmer, also driving the No. 5 JR Motorsports Chevy (the car had a pole with Landon Cassel last year). Wimmer pulled out a win at Nashville, so  look for him to do well in Hendrick equipment.

I bet your saying by now, "Where's the first-time winners at?"

So here we go:

Scott Pruet will win at one of the road course races in an RCR Chevy. He has two top-fives and four top-10 finishes in seven starts. He is bound to win one sooner or later.

Here another shocker, Steven Wallace will calm down and pull his first victory off.

Roush will also produce the first series victories for Cup regular David Ragan and rookie Colin Braun. Another young-gun who will visit victory lane in 2009 is the No. 11, driven by Scott Legasse Jr., with support from Joe Gibbs Racing.

And last but not least, up and coming rookie Justin Alligaier (in a Penske Racing Dodge), the former 2008 ARCA champ will win about four en route to a top-10 points finish if Penske runs the car full-time.

These are my predictions, barring a David Gilliland doesn't happen.

Final Points:

1. Carl Edwards

2. Brad Keselowski

3. Kyle Busch

4. Mike Bliss

5. Joey Logano

6. Jason Leffler

7. Clint Bowyer

8. Justin Alligaier

9. Steven Wallace

10. Jason Keller