Sprint Cup Preview: Truex, McMurray, Hamlin, Bowyer

Before looking at the 13th-16th ranked teams, a couple pieces of news from today:

-Burger King will sponsor Tony Stewart at Daytona in July and Dover in September. Rumors have been flying around since last summer that BK would be joining SHR, although I figured it would be as the sponsor for Newman when the Army was not on the 39 car.

Now would be the perfect opportunity to turn this into a joke, but after picking Tony to finish 20th in points yesterday, I think I'll lay off of the slightly rotund driver today.

The paint scheme is horrendous, at least compared to past BK cars (i.e. Nemechek and Park in the 90s and Reutimann two years ago). No flames?

Come on, your signature is the flame-broiled Whopper! Look on the bright side: at least the King isn't anywhere on the car to cause a 30-car wreck at the Coke Zero 400.

-Armando Fitz apparently will live on and not have to worry about his creditors hunting him down and beating him to death in an alley anymore, as he sold the majority of his team to Chicago businessman Arthur Shelton.

No word yet on who will drive the Nationwide car, but Chase Austin will pilot a Truck for the team, and Jarit Johnson (Jimmie's baby bro) will be behind the wheel for the team in Camping World East competition.

13. MARTIN TRUEX JR.

Age: 28
Hometown: Mayetta, NJ
No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevy
Crew Chief: Kevin Manion
Owner: Teresa Earnhardt/Chip Ganassi/Felix Sabates

After qualifying for the Chase in his second year, Truex's third year at the Cup level did not live up to expectations. Many people believed he would take the next step, win multiple races, and contend for a title, even without the presence of teammate and good pal Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Instead, Truex fell to 15th in points, and never tasted victory lane. Grudgingly, he resigned with DEI/EGR for at least one more season, although you have to believe if the performance does not improve, he will take Bass Pro elsewhere.

Martin would have been in Chase contention right down to the wire in Richmond if it were not for a huge points penalty handed down at Daytona in July. The Truex/Manion combination clearly works well, and I look for them to bounce back and win a couple races in 2009.

Qualifying for the Chase will be difficult, but it is not out of the question. Aside from no longer being at the mercy of Teresa Earnhardt and Max Siegel's questionable decision-making, the merger with Ganassi will not really impact this team, but Truex should enjoy the working partnership with Juan Pablo Montoya.

14. JAMIE McMURRAY

Age: 32
Hometown: Joplin, MO
No. 26 Crown Royal/Irwin Tools Ford
Crew Chief: Donnie Wingo
Owner: Jack Roush/John Henry

Entering his fourth season at Roush-Fenway, the pressure is certainly on Jamie McMurray to take the next step and contend on a weekly basis. While Kenseth, Biffle, and Edwards win races and contend for the championship, McMurray is great some weeks and off others.

If the performance doesn't improve in 2009, especially with the drivers available at Jack Roush's fingertips from his development pool, McMurray will likely be out of a job.

But even with that grim reality, Jamie is set up to succeed this season. He will be reunited with Donnie Wingo, who was his crew chief for the three years he spent at Ganassi; seasons that finished in 13th, 11th, and 12th places.

Plus, McMurray became much more consistent down the stretch in 2008 with Larry Carter as crew chief, finishing third in each of the final three races. Look for Jamie Mac and Wingo to hit on all cylinders in '09, and do not be surprised if they are in the Chase.

15. DENNY HAMLIN

Age: 28
Hometown: Chesterfield, VA
No. 11 FedEx Toyota
Crew Chief: Mike Ford
Owner: Joe Gibbs

After finishing third in points his rookie season, Denny Hamlin has followed that up with two very good seasons, but inconsistency has doomed him to the back half of the Chase each time.

When he came out of the gate so strong in 2006, I figured that he had the makings of a future Cup champion, but now I am not so sure. Hamlin and the 11 team have seemed to level off, and played third fiddle to both the 18 and 20 last season.

Seeing how Tony Stewart gone and Kyle Busch still just 23, Hamlin is now the veteran by default at JGR, believe it or not. With that comes the extra responsibility of being a leader on and off the track, and I just do not see those qualities in Hamlin.

Denny is never the one to blame when something goes wrong. It's always someone else's fought. My assessment may be harsh, but I still wouldn't be surprised to see the 11 sneak into the Chase once again. There are probably 20 teams capable of making it in 2009, but Hamlin was not one of the lucky 12 to be selected by me.

16. CLINT BOWYER

Age: 29
Hometown: Emporia, KS
No. 33 Cheerios/Betty Crocker/BB&T Chevy
Crew Chief: Shane Wilson
Owner: Richard Childress

All was fine and dandy in Clint Bowyer's world the past two years. He picked up a Nationwide title, won his first Cup race, piloted the Jack Daniel's car, qualified for the Chase two years in a row, and had familiar relationships with an absolute hottie.

Fast forward to 2009, and Richard Childress has exiled his youngest Cup driver to the new fourth team, being sponsored by General Mills.

Bowyer will still have the great equipment he has been accustomed to receiving the past few seasons, but making the Chase for a third year in a row will be difficult. He will be working with an entirely new set of people, including crew chief Shane Wilson, without testing to get used to one another.

And I don't care if you are Childress, Hendrick, Roush, or whoever, adding a new team to an existing operation and being immediately successful is not an easy task. Especially when you have to qualify on time for the first five races.