Sprint Cup Preview: Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle, Mark Martin

I'm sitting here watching the Rolex 24 and am simply amazed that after 23+ hours of racing, there are still four cars on the lead lap within seconds of each other.

In a short period of time, we'll know if Ganassi can extend their winning streak at Daytona to four in a row, or if one of the Brumos Porsches or Wayne Taylor SunTrust entry can spoil the party.

I hope everyone had the opportunity to stay up until 1:30 last night to catch the end of the Toyota All-Star Showdown (even if it meant sleeping until 11:30 this morning for some of us, haha).

Seeing the relative inexperience of some of the drivers in the field, you wouldn't expect national touring stars like Ron Hornaday and Joey Logano to make themselves look like the biggest donkeys in the event, but that is exactly what happened.

Hornaday's brazen move took out Brian Ickler, when it appeared as if Ickler was the man to beat. And then Logano pulled off a similar move trying to pass Peyton Sellers on the last lap, wrecking Sellers.

Kudos to NASCAR for waving the checkered over Logano and giving the win to Matt Kobyluck. There's a sharp contrast between the short track bump/run and the straight taking someone out, and what Hornaday and Logano did falls into the latter category.

I know these young racers need to learn to race with the best if they ever want to become one of the best, but this event last night was about them, and not about Joey Logano or Ron Hornaday.

Unfortunately, those two didn't get the memo. Hopefully, in the future, NASCAR goes back to keeping this as a race for regional touring drivers only so drivers like Hornaday and Logano don't let their egos get in the way of some lucky young man making a name for himself on national television.

Just an FYI: Sellers is running a partial Nationwide schedule this season, so wouldn't it be poetic justice if he could return the favor on Logano at some point?

Moving on, today we get closer to me naming my 2009 championship pick. Will I anoint Jimmie Johnson the favorite for a four-peat, or give the crown to Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, or Jeff Gordon? We'll see tomorrow!

5. MATT KENSETH

Age: 36
Hometown: Cambridge, WI
No. 17 DeWalt Tools/USG Sheetrock/R&L Carriers/Carhartt Ford
Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Owner: Jack Roush/John Henry

2008 was an uncharacteristic year by Matt Kenseth standards. Yes, he quietly put together a solid season, as usual, but the No. 17 team failed to find victory lane and was never really a threat for the championship.

Maybe I cursed them by picking the team to win it all last January. Kenseth will be paired with his third crew chief in three years when Speedweeks commence, as Drew Blickensderfer comes over from the Roush Nationwide program.

I look for Kenseth to rebound in 2009, even as many people are starting to write him off prematurely. A return to victory lane and contention during the Chase are certainly in the cards.

Blickensderfer turned around Carl Edwards' struggling Nationwide program at the midpoint of the 2008 season, and has worked well with Kenseth in that series the year before.

He is clearly ready to lead an elite Sprint Cup team, something Chip Bolin did not have much success with after taking over for Robbie Reiser one year ago (although to defend Bolin, the guy didn't have much crew chief experience entering the role as Blickensderfer does).

6. DALE EARNHARDT JR.

Age: 34
Hometown: Kannapolis, NC
No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy Drink/National Guard Chevy
Crew Chief: Tony Eury Jr.
Owner: Rick Hendrick

Junior's first season at Hendrick Motorsports had its ups and downs, but for the most part, it did not live up to the expectations placed on him when moving to the sport's premier operation.

The first half of the season was largely successful, if you leave out the fact their only win came as the result of smart pit strategy.

But as the Chase approached, the team started to fizzle and faded to 12th when the final 10 races rolled around in the fall months.

This will be a defining year for Earnhardt Jr. If he doesn't come out and challenge for the championship, his detractors that are often heard screaming the word "overrated" will have even more reason to criticize him, while even his most diehard fans may be forced to question his place amongst the sport's elite.

I think he will come out and put forth a better overall effort in 2009, but winning the championship will still be a stretch. Cousin Tony Eury Jr.'s strategy on top of the pit box has long been chastised, and he could be what is holding the double 8 back. Don't forget, he has three pretty good teammates to beat out as well.

7. GREG BIFFLE

Age: 39
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
No. 16 3M Ford
Crew Chief: Greg Erwin
Owner: Jack Roush/John Henry

After a couple of mediocre years by Biffle standards, he and the No. 16 team came out and put forth a strong showing in 2008, coming home third in points with two victories. Greg is certainly one of the sport's brightest stars, and he is competitive at almost every track.

Like Mark Martin and Jeff Burton, his chances at winning a championship are starting to evaporate as his age advances, so I am sure Greg Erwin and everyone else on the No. 16 team will do everything in their power to put Biffle in a position to win the title at Homestead.

As long as Biffle makes the Chase, he has to be considered a threat to win the championship. With half the final 10 races being on his long-time bread and butter, the cookie cutter 1.5 and 2 milers, and another two at tracks he won at in 2008 (New Hampshire and Dover), this team has the capability of dethroning Jimmie Johnson.

I wouldn't be surprised if that happened, but I have them ranked a little lower this year just due to the fact I see teams like the 17, 18, and 88, which struggled in the Chase a year ago, coming out more prepared for those crucial races in 2009.

8. MARK MARTIN

Age: 50
Hometown: Batesville, AR
No. 5 Kellogg’s/Carquest/Cheez-It Chevy
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Owner: Rick Hendrick

As much as I respect Mark Martin for the person and racer he is, his indecision when it comes to retirement has pretty much been a frustration to me and many others. But nevertheless, we do get to enjoy Mark for at least one more full-time campaign aimed at winning that elusive Sprint Cup.

Can the sentimental pick pull it off? That's debatable, but Mark should be a threat week in and week out in 2009, and find victory lane for the first time since 2005.

While Martin will be the only full-time driver past the half century mark this season, that won't be a disadvantage. He is in better shape than some of the guys half his age.

What will be a problem will be the No. 5 team. They are very good, but not as good as the 24 or 48. I'm sure Rick Hendrick will put a lot of effort into giving Mark the chance at winning the championship, but this team has not been a serious threat for the title in years.

Even Kyle Busch was simply a mid-pack Chase driver in this car, and Casey Mears barely finished in the top 20.