NASCAR Top 40 preseason countdown (part I)

Bobby Labonte looks ahead to 2010 with TRG (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The time has arrived for the annual preseason projections, where in my case, are often less than accurate. Nevertheless, I will endeavor, once again, a full field projection, starting from the back, working my way to the front, similar to sluggish qualifiers Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton.

We begin with the part-timers. Reed Sorenson will compete in at least five races for Braun Racing including the Daytona 500. Bill Elliott and the Wood Brothers will attempt select races throughout the 2010 season, as the storied team hopes to return to the full-time fold in 2011. Michael Waltrip steps away from the full schedule, making way for Martin Truex Jr. Waltrip will compete in select races, including the Daytona 500. Max Papis and Germain Racing will feature the GEICO Toyota in several races throughout the season.

Richard Childress Racing may field the No. 07 Chevrolet in a handful of races, but that is depending on sponsorship. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing may attempt to bring back the No. 8 on a limited basis pending sponsorship. Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Gunselman Motorsports, Carter Simo Racing, and other various teams that competed on a part-time basis in 2009 could return to the paddock in 2010.

Bill Jenkins acquired the 2009 accrued championship points of the No. 26 team from Roush Fenway Racing. The newly-formed Latitude 43 Motorsports is under a comprehensive service agreement with Roush Fenway Racing with veteran Frank Stoddard as the crew chief. No driver has been named as of yet, but Erik Darnell could emerge as a frontrunner. Boris Said was a rumored possibility several weeks ago.

Terry Cook will compete for Rookie of the Year honors in 2010 with the upstart Whitney Motorsports team driving the No. 46 Dodge. Without adequate sponsorship, this could emerge as another start and park effort. Four-time Cup winner Joe Nemechek sadly emerged as a start and park driver for the majority of the 2009 campaign. While no official plans have been revealed, Nemechek will likely find himself in an identical situation unless he can secure ample funding, which is going to be a mountainous task.

40. 66-Dave Blaney, Prism Motorsports Toyota
2009 projections- 41st
2009 results- 41st

Like Nemechek, Dave Blaney, a respected veteran, settled for a start and park role for the majority of last season. Unless the team can nail down a sponsorship package, the circumstances for Blaney and Prism Motorsports will unlikely change.

He took over the familiar No. 8 Chevrolet before a sponsorship dearth took its course. The disgruntled Almirola filed a breach of contract claim against EGR before dropping it weeks before he was named as the driver for Phoenix Racing. Almirola hopes to compete the entire schedule without starting and parking, but in 2009, this team often exited the track prematurely. Once a rising start, Almirola is on the verge of field filler status, and it is difficult to separate yourself from that perception.

38. 37-Kevin Conway, Extenze Men’s Health Supplement Ford- Front Row Motorsports

Jimmie Johnson or Ryan Newman he is not, but Conway is the favorite to capture the 2010 Rookie of the Year honors. Conway joins Front Row Motorsports, an organization that is expanding, as they will field a trio car sponsored teams. Conway is a driver with untapped potential, but he is taking a giant step with a lower tier team. The bottom line is Conway will face an accrual of struggles in 2010.

37. 90-Casey Mears, Keyed Up Motorsports Chevrolet
2009 projection- 22nd
2009 results- 21st

Lack of sponsorship ended his opportunity with Richard Childress Racing, as Mears moves on to Keyed Up Motorsports and its shoestring budget. Mears understands that winning races is now a pipe dream, and just qualifying for the races is a more realistic ambition.
 

36. 36-Mike Bliss, Wave Energy Drink Chevrolet- Tommy Baldwin Racing
2009 results- 44th

Bliss joins Tommy Baldwin Racing for 2010 with a part-time sponsor. Bliss may not be forced to start and park every race, but there will likely be several races where the veteran prematurely heads to the hauler.

35. David Gilliland, #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford/#49 BAM Racing Toyota
2009 results- 37th

Gilliland will compete in the Daytona 500 for BAM Racing before moving on to a third Front Row Motorsports ride. Gilliland will return to the No. 38 Ford, the number he drove while employed by Yates Racing in for part of 2006, and the entire 2007 and 2008 seasons. Front Row Motorsports is an up and coming organization, but they are miles behind the heavy hitters of the sport. Gilliland’s bright spots will be mid-pack performances.

34. 34-Travis Kvapil, Long John Silver’s Ford- Front Row Motorsports
2009 projection- 37th
2009 results- 49th

Kvapil takes over the reins of the flagship team for Front Row Motorsports. The 2003 Camping World Series Truck series titleholder overachieved while piloting the Yates Racing No. 28 before lack of funding knocked the team off its feet last spring. Kvapil returns to the Sprint Cup level, and based on his talent and past results, he will likely overachieve. However, he can only go so far with this team.

33. 78-Regan Smith, Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
2009 projection- 43rd
2009 results- 39th

Many would assert that Smith settled for a ride with Furniture Row Racing last year after winning the rookie of the year honors with DEI the previous season. Smith and the Furniture Row outfit competed in eighteen races in 2009, as the team scaled back from a full-time undertaking. The sound decision seemed to allow the team to focus on particular races. They will attempt the full slate of races in 2010, and is expected to continue to utilize resources provided by Hendrick Motorsports. Smith will not contend for wins, or top tens for that matter, but this team is fully capable of a few top 20 or 25 runs throughout the season. Smith’s best races will probably take place on the restrictor plate venues.

32. 7-Robby Gordon, Robby Gordon Motorsports Toyota
2009 projection- 34th
2009 results- 34th

Gordon enters his sixth season as a driver/owner, which is longer than many skeptics initially projected. However, with Jim Beam and Mapei departing the team, Gordon lacks the funding he previously attained. Menard’s, as well as other companies could chip in, but Gordon’s days as an owner could be numbered if sufficient funding is unobtainable. Gordon enters a technical alliance with BAM Racing for 2010.

31. 71-Bobby Labonte, TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet- TRG Motorsports
2009 projection- 26th
2009 results- 30th

Ten years ago, Labonte was entering a championship season. Little did we know that a decade later, his career would have taken such a nosedive. Labonte is still immensely talented, as many would agree. Nevertheless, his gamble of joining the fledgling Petty Enterprises operation five years ago backfired, and he has not been in a position to land a higher quality ride. Labonte joins the upstart TRG Motorsports team. His finest performance last season was at Atlanta last September with TRG as he spent most of the evening among the top fifteen. He also scored a top ten at Talladega several weeks later. This team will improve with Labonte behind the wheel due to his experience and skills; however, his best performances will be top fifteens.