Robby Gordon vs. Terry Labonte

Now, I am not going to promote a budding rivalry between NASCAR's villainous Robby Gordon and resident nice guy Terry Labonte. However, they had a bit of a difference of opinions following Thursday's Gatordale Duel race, one in which both drivers emerged from their cars with spots on the Daytona 500 starting grid.

The debate was not about what happened on the track per se. It was about a NASCAR provision that benefited the 1984 and 1996 champion Labonte, as well as the FASLane Racing team...the past champion's provisional.

Robby Gordon's take is as follows:

"When you look at it, besides pure speed, I think three guys make it on speed, obviously Terry takes a past champion (provisional), which I still disagree with that, I think that should be based if you were with that team when you won the championship...That takes a spot from teams that are working hard to get into the Daytona 500.

We made it fair and square to be fast enough...Obviously, I got a lot respect for Terry, this is not a Terry Labonte thing. He (just) takes one of those (Daytona 500) spots. I guess I should hire Kurt Busch and put my other car in the show too...Why take a free ride when the rest of us have to bust our butts to get into the 500? "

While Gordon did rejoice after his valiant drive into the Great American Race, his rant seemed to garner much attention.

Labonte did give a brief response to Gordon's lengthy rant:

"That's the only car we got (for the Daytona 500). That wreck was right in front of us, there, and we just couldn't take a chance on wrecking it. I think we practiced enough in a pack, and what little we did today, the car's really good but we just couldn't risk it."

I understand both parties to this debate. Gordon has labored for years running his own operation, and now that sponsorship and funding is scarce, his team has to work much harder to make it into the races. It can be rather frustrating to watch another driver and team ease their by into the show by virtue of a provision that NASCAR created years ago.

On the other hand, Labonte worked awfully hard to earn his two championships. Now that he has accomplished what he is going to accomplish in NASCAR, he is helping out other small teams like Gordon's. Not only with his past champion's provision, but his wisdom and experience. To a certain degree Labonte earned his way into Daytona after decades of success in NASCAR. Additionally, Mr. Frank Stoddard is brilliant by using Labonte's experience and provisional.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (10th to 1st)

So, I have reached the final installment of my 2012 NASCAR predictions. Here are the top 10.

10. 2-Brad Keselowski; Penske Racing Dodge

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 19 top 10s

The summer of 2011 will be remembered for the sudden emergence of Keselowski. We really were not surprised, as we all were aware of his talents. However, the timing was impeccable. After winning at Kansas, Keselowski still seemed to be less than Chase material. When he injured his foot in a practice crash, many wrote him off as a Chase contender. Nevertheless, he would embark upon a memorable late summer run, which included victories at daunting tracks such as Pocono and Bristol, as well as a runner up at the road course of Watkins Glen. In 2012, Keselowski will be healthy, and he has that swagger that champions possess. While I believe he is a year away from serious championship contention, he'll be back in victory lane on multiple occasions, and back in the Chase field.

9. 39-Ryan Newman; Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet

1 win; 9 top 5s; 18 top 10s

It can be easy to overlook Newman sometimes. After all, his teammate is defending champion Tony Stewart, as well the media darling Danica Patrick. Many may forget that Newman was outperforming Stewart as the 2011 Chase began. Newman and his team faltered in the Chase, but were able to salvage a top 10 effort. This team is quietly dangerous and consistent. Very few consider them contenders, but at the end of the day, they usually find themselves near the front. If Newman can find some consistency in the autumn months, he could be a sleeper.

8. 17-Matt Kenseth; Roush Fenway Racing Ford

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 20 top 10s

If not for an untimely feud with Brian Vickers, Kenseth may have made the 2011 championship chase a 3-horse race. Kenseth, as usual, was quietly consistent in 2011, winning three races. Expect another solid season for Kenseth and the Roush Fenway group. Kenseth seems to have regained that comfort level with the guy on the pitbox. His best years were when Robbie Reiser was his crew chief. Now, several crew chiefs later, he has jelled with Jimmy Fennig. Expect another solid season for Kenseth.

7. 24-Jeff Gordon; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

2 wins; 11 top 5s; 22 top 10s

Gordon responded to his winless season of 2010 rather well, winning almost out of the box at Phoenix by virtue of an aggressive pass on Kyle Busch. Gordon won three races, most in one season since 2007. He seemed to be an image of his championship-form...and then, the Chase began. Gordon stumbled in the Chase, was was never really a factor. Gordon and crew chief Alan Gustafson seem to have the a connection that is vital between driver and crew chiefs. Expect another multiple-win season for Gordon, and another Chase appearance.

6. 11-Denny Hamlin; Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 21 top 10s

Hamlin was one of the major disappointments of 2011. After nearly winning the title in 2010, Hamlin and his No. 11 team fell flat on their faces in 2011. Therefore, a crew chief change highlighted this team's off-season. Darian Grubb, who led Tony Stewart to the 2011 title, will take over for Mike Ford atop the No. 11 pitbox. Hamlin should thrive under Grubb's leadership. Grubb was able to succeed with both Stewart and Jimmie Johnson as a driver. Hamlin's personality lands somewhere in between the fiery Stewart and collected Johnson. This pairing should put Hamlin back near championship contention.

5. 18-Kyle Busch; Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

4 wins; 13 top 5s; 21 top 10s

Has Busch finally learned his lesson? Will we finally see a kinder and gentler Busch? We should find out in 2012. Busch, as talented as he is behind the wheel, nearly lost everything after an ill-advised retaliatory hit on Ron Hornaday in a Truck race at Texas. The same pieces are in place for Busch that led him to four victories last year. Expect a similar season statistically for Busch. If he can keep his cool, he may have a say in this year's championship chase.

4. 99-Carl Edwards; Roush Fenway Racing Ford

3 wins; 11 top 5s; 24 top 10s

Edwards was the model of consistency in 2011. However, he was not rewarded with his first Sprint Cup trophy. Expect a more aggressive Edwards if he is put in a similar position this fall. Edwards will likely win multiple races in 2012, and should be one to watch when the season reaches its final stages. Nevertheless, I am not so sure he will put together another nearly unblemished 10-race run as he did in 2011. It will be interesting to see how Edwards and the No 99. team respond to the championship defeat. Will they fall like the No. 11 team in 2011, or will they rise like the No. 48 team in 2006.

3. 29-Kevin Harvick; Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

3 wins; 10 top 5s; 25 top 10s

Harvick has emerged as one of the most consistent drivers in NASCAR over the course of the last two seasons. I see no reason for that to change in 2012. Harvick has cleared himself from much distraction by selling off his Nationwide and Camping World Truck teams. Harvick appears more determined than ever to capture the first title for himself, and first for RCR since 1994. This could be the year for Harvick and RCR. Expect another stout year from Harvick and the No. 29 team.

2. 48-Jimmie Johnson; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

3 wins; 13 top 5s; 26 top 10s

Johnson was finally hurled from his lofty throne in 2011. After five years, the dragon was slayed. The defeat, however, may motivate the tenacious duo of Johnson and Knaus to fight harder than ever to return to the top of the mountain. I know the anti-Johnson fans are celebrating, but try to refrain from counting them out. Expect them to emerge as consistent winners again, and be right in the thick of the championship bout.

1. 14-Tony Stewart; Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet

4 wins; 12 top 5s; 23 top 10s

I do not know of any experts who are projecting Stewart to repeat his championship performance. They say that the loss of Darian Grubb could hinder this team. However, they are gaining Steve Addington, who Stewart has worked with in the past, as well as Greg Zipadelli, who teamed with Stewart for titles in 2002 and 2005. This team may be stronger than they were in 2011. That could be mean trouble for the rest of the field. Expect a more balanced season from Stewart, and another shot at a championship.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (20th to 11th)

And on with the countdown

20. 27-Paul Menard; Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 4 top 5s; 11 top 10s

Menard finally captured that Sprint Cup victory that had eluded throughout his career. The win gave Menard a shot at a Chase berth, but he fell just short. Menard's victory was a fuel mileage victory at Indianapolis last August. While I believe this team will improve, it will be marginal improvement, and another win would be a huge bonus for this group.

19. 42-Juan Pablo Montoya; Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 6 top 5s; 12 top 10s

It is no secret that the 2011 season was complete disaster for Montoya and the entire EGR contingent. Not only were the cars sluggish, but Montoya seemed to be involved in more conflicts than any driver without the last name Busch. This team made some wholesale personnel changes this offseason, so it will be interesting to see how much impact they have on this group. Montoya should improve upon his 2011 results, but I'm not sure if they are ready to consistently compete for victories yet.

18. 56-Martin Truex Jr; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

1 win; 6 top 5s; 12 top 10s

Truex Jr's move to MWR has seen few bright moments, and now that it is the third year of the deal, it is time for both parties to step on the accelerator. Truex ended the 2011 campaign with several solid performances, so there is hope that they can right this ship. While I believe that Truex has the tools to creep back into the win column, I believe that they are still on longshot to qualify for the Chase.

17. 9-Marcos Ambrose; Richard Petty Motorsports Ford

1 win; 7 top 5s; 13 top 10s

The amicable Aussie finally broke through with his first Sprint Cup victory last year at Watkins Glen. We all saw it coming for years. Now, Ambrose must take the next step and win on the oval facilities. When Ambrose figures out the ovals, he will become a dangerous threat to qualify for the Chase. As it is, he is the favorite each time the series visits Infineon and Watkins Glen. The odds are that Ambrose will win at least one road course race, so if he can pull out an oval win, he could position himself as a Wild Card in the Chase for the Championship.

16. 31-Jeff Burton; Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

0 win; 5 top 5s; 15 top 10s

Burton would rather forget the 2011 season ever took place, as it was his worst since joining Richard Childress Racing in 2004. A humbling season can only provide intense motivation for the veteran. Expect Burton and his RCR team to display dramatic improvement in 2012. He will contend for a few wins, and he will be one of the drivers battling for one of the final spots in the Chase. I believe he will fall just short of another Chase appearance.

15. 22-A.J. Allmendinger; Penske Racing Dodge

1 win; 8 top 5s; 16 top 10s

Allmendinger has all the tools at his disposal to engineer a breakout season. For the first time since arriving at the Sprint Cup level in 2007, he has stability. Allmendinger will likely become NASCAR's next first-time winner in 2012, and will be a factor when it comes to the race to the Chase next fall. Allmendinger should be able to do enough to earn an extension with Penske Racing, where he could emerge as a future star in this sport alongside teammate Brad Keselowski.

14. 15-Clint Bowyer; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

1 win; 7 top 5s; 17 top 10s

Many believe that Bowyer was taking a step down in quality when he opted to leave a championship caliber team to join MWR. On the surface that appears to be the case. However, Bowyer sees something in this budding organization, and it's not just the dollar bills. For years, Waltrip has maintained a solid organization that seems to be a step or two away from serious contention. Hiring Scott Miller should help elevate this team to the next level. Look for Bowyer to return to the winner's circle and compete for a spot in the Chase. The 2012 season will be similar to his years at RCR.

13. 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

1 win; 6 top 5s; 16 top 10s

This is the year I believe Earnhardt Jr will finally break into the win column. He came oh so close at Martinsville and Charlotte last spring. For the first time since 2008, Earnhardt Jr seemed to have shown more progress than decline, and much of that can be attributed to crew chief Steve Letarte. Look for another solid year for Earnhardt Jr. With that said, there are a few drivers that were behind Earnhardt last year that will improve, so in order for Earnhardt Jr to return to the Chase, he must significantly improve from 2011.

12. 16-Greg Biffle; Roush Fenway Racing Ford

2 wins; 9 top 5s; 18 top 10s

After a dismal 2011 campaign, many are willing to write off Biffle. After all, his most memorable moment of the season was his fight with Boris Said after the Watkins Glen race. I believe Biffle will bounce back in a huge way in 2012. The last time he missed the Chase was in 2007. All he did a year later was win two races and finish third in the championship standings. Look for Biffle to win multiple races and return to the Chase for the Championship.

11. 5-Kasey Kahne; Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

2 wins; 10 top 5s; 19 top 10s

Kahne is a trendy pick to enter his first year with HMS as a serious championship contender. While I believe he will win multiple races and qualify for the Chase for the Championship, I am not so sure that he will suddenly obtain the consistency it takes in order to run with Chase-masters such as Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson for 10 races. Kahne has always been fast, but consistency has never been his strong suit. Nevertheless, for the first time since 2006, he has stability in his program. Oh yeah, he won six races that season.

Are Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte ruining their legacies

Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte are future Hall-of-Famers, that is obvious to anyone who has followed NASCAR over the past three and a half decades. They are widley recognized as champions for their on-track accomplishments. However, Elliott and Labonte were more than just phenomenal wheelmen, they were, they are considered the good guys. While Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Darrell Waltrip were attracting press by ruffling feathers, Elliott and Labonte were quietly winning races, as well as the hearts of thousands of fans.

Labonte captured the 1984 and 1996 Winston Cup championships while Elliott earned the 1988 championship, as well as the 1985 and 1987 Daytona 500 trophies. These two drivers should be reminiscing their on-track success as they await their NASCAR Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Instead, their good guy qualities is shining through as they are determined to help the little guys. Labonte and Elliott are champions, meaning they own the champion's provisional, all but guaranteeing a spot in the Daytona 500. Labonte, who began competing part-time in 2005, will allow the #32 FASLane Racing team owned by former crew chief Frank Stoddard.

The upstart team debuted in NASCAR in 2011 with a host of drivers, and failed to crack the all-important top 35, which would guarantee a spot in the race. Labonte's champions provision will likely place them in the Great American Race.

Elliott stepped away from full-time competition in 2003 when he was a perennial frontrunner. Many felt that he would ease into full-time retirement after a couple of years of part-time activity. Instead, Elliott has spent several years assisting backmarker teams qualify for races by virtue of his champion's provisional.

This time, he will help guide Joe Nemechek's operation enter the Daytona 500. Nemechek spends most of his race weekends starting and parking, but occasionally he will go for the checkers. He also will field two cars every once in awhile. He was able to recruit Elliott to pilot the No. 97 Toyota for the 2012 Daytona 500. I am assuming by the NEMCO Motorsports report that Elliott is not planning on starting and parking...thank God!

I worry that these two drivers are blemishing their legacy by helping these teams. I mean, I cannot blame Elliott and Labonte for wanting to help the little guys, you got to wonder about their perception when it is time for the voters to consider inducting them into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Personally, I do not think they will be passed up, but their enshrinement is being delayed due to their good-nature.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (30th to 21st)

The countdown is on, and here is the second installment.

30. 38-David Gilliland; Front Row Motorsports Ford

0 wins; 0 top 5s; 1 top 10

Gilliland returns to Front Row Motorsports for a third season, second full season. This is a young team with limited funding, however, they have made some strides. It is doubtful they will suddenly creep up as contenders, but expect them to move closer to the top 25 bracket.

29. 13-Casey Mears; Germain Racing Ford

0 wins; 0 top 5s, 0 top 10s

It seems so long ago when Mears was employed by Hendrick Motorsports, and even Richard Childress Racing for that matter. Since his exit from RCR, Mears spent 2010 jumping from team to team before landing with the GEICO-sponsored Germain Racing. The team will switch from Toyota to Ford in 2012. Unfortunately, it does not appear that this team has sponsorship for all of the races, which could mean that Mears will be forced to start and park every once in awhile.

28. 36-Dave Blaney; Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 0 top 5s; 2 top 10s

Blaney and the TBR outfit absolutely overachieved in 2011, even landing several sponsorship deals. This team is making positive strides, and Blaney is one of the reasons why. Unfortunately, Golden Corral pulled out of the No. 36 team this year, so there may a few races in which this team has limited funding. Hopefully, we will not see Blaney pull into the garage prematurely unless there is something legitimately wrong with the car.

27. 34-David Ragan; Front Row Motorsports Ford

0 wins; 0 top 5s; 2 top 10s

Ragan lost his sponsor UPS, which led to him losing his ride with Roush Fenway Racing. He was then passed up for at least four different rides before finally landing with the upstart Front Row Motorsports. Despite the seemingly constant rejection, Ragan appears quite optimistic about the 2012. Additionally, he understands that the expectation level will be much different with a third-tier team. It will be difficult for him to hold his head low if they place a 20th place finish.

26. 47-Bobby Labonte; JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota

0 wins; 1 top 5; 3 top 10s

I have nothing but high praise for the 2000 champion Bobby Labonte, but it is clear that is his best days are behind him. JTG Daugherty Racing struggled while working inside the Michael Waltrip Racing shop, and will likely struggle even more so in their own building. Labonte will likely enjoy a few solid performances, but this team is top 20 at best.

25. 43-Aric Almirola; Richard Petty Motorsports Ford

0 wins; 2 top 5s; 5 top 10s

When RPM introduced Almirola as the new driver of the legendary No. 43 Ford, I was taken aback just a bit. I truly believed that if they could not land Kurt Busch, they would settle on Ragan. However, The King crowned the young driver formerly of JR Motorsports. Almirola spent some time in the Sprint Cup Series with Ginn Racing, DEI, and Phoenix Racing, but is experience is still limited. Almirola will struggle for the most part in 2012, and patience on both sides will be crucial in order for this to last more than one season.

24. 78-Regan Smith; Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet

0 wins; 3 top 5s; 7 top 10s

Smith's win at Darlington last May was perhaps one of my favorite moments of the 2011 NASCAR season. It almost like David slaying Goliath as Smith drove his Furniture Row Chevrolet across the finish line with heavy hitters Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski in his rear view. The win was overshadowed by Harvick vs. Busch, but Smith made a bold statement that night. While this team is improving, and has accomplished much more than many anticipated, they still are small in comparison to the heavy hitters, and will only see superb results on a limited basis. Overall, they should be more consistent this year, but it will be difficult to back up the victory.

23. 51-Kurt Busch; Phoenix Racing Chevrolet

1 win; 5 top 5s; 11 top 10s

I'm going to stay away from Busch's off-season drama and strictly move on to the projection. While Busch will give this team some of their best runs in the team's history, the consistency will just not be there, and unless they can win two or three races, Busch will miss the Chase. The team will run like an underfunded single-car operation at times, probably on the downforce tracks. However, when true skill behind the wheel matters, look for Busch to put this car near or in the top 10. A win is feasible at one of the superspeedways, road courses, or perhaps a track like Martinsville.

22. 1-Jamie McMurray; Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

0 win; 5 top 5s; 9 top 10s

The 2010 season is a distant memory for McMurray and the EGR group. The 2011 season was undoubtedly a dismal one for the 2010 Daytona 500 champion. EGR made several personnel adjustments that are intended to elevate the level of competition for this team, so I believe that some improvement will be manifest. Nevertheless, I think this team fell so far behind last year that I would be surprised if they finish near the top 15 in the standings. Do not expect another miracle year for McMurray and the No. 1 team.

21. 20-Joey Logano; Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

0 win; 6 top 5s; 10 top 10s

I do not particularly care for the term 'make or break', but that seems to be the case for Logano. The kid is dangerously close to 'David Ragan territory'. Logano was promoted to Cup two years to early in 2009, and he has paid for it dearly over the last three seasons. The performance is less than desirable, and patience is wearing thin for JGR as well as sponsor Home Depot. There is hope for Logano as Jason Ratcliffe replaces Greg Zipadelli atop the pit box. However, if Ratcliffe and Logano cannot make the necessary strides that puts this team in victory lane and in the Chase, look for a driver such as Kurt Busch to replace young Logano.

NASCAR Predictions- Top 40 Countdown (40th to 31st)

It's been a long off-season, although an eventful one. With the Budweiser Shootout approaching this weekend, I believe the time is right for the annual preseason predictions. I traditionally post them towards the end of January, but with so many unanswered questions, I opted to wait it out a couple of weeks. I was hoping I'd know the driver of the #93 Toyota by now (likely Brian Vickers or Travis Kvapil), but I cannot delay any longer. Without further adieu, here is my forecast for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

40. 98-Michael McDowell; Phil Parsons Racing Ford

Phil Parsons merged his No. 66 team with Dusty Whitney's No. 46 team, changed the number to 98, and kept McDowell in the seat. McDowell, a talent behind the wheel, has spent most of his Sprint Cup days as a start-and-park driver. It is doubtful that status will change in 2012.

39. 87-Joe Nemechek; NEMCO Motorsports Toyota

Nemechek relaunched his Cup effort in 2009 after he left Furniture Row Racing. While Nemechek does not lack in effort and determination, he lacks in something just as vital...and that is funding. Lack of sponsorship has kept Nemechek from finishing the majority of races.

38. 55-Michael Waltrip; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

Waltrip is expected to run five races in his Aaron's Dream Machine, and the Daytona 500 driving for Mike Hillman. It's possible he may pick up a couple more races throughout the year. As usual, Waltrip will perform solidly on the restrictor plate tracks, but as usual, he will struggle everywhere else. With that said, he appears to be building a solid Cup team with his new 2012 additions.

37. 10-Danica Patrick; Stewart Haas Racing/Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

Patrick is slated to compete in 10 Sprint Cup races, including the Daytona 500. While Baldwin's name is listed as the owner, it will be fully supported by Stewart Haas Racing. Like most logical analysts, I project the Cup series to be a struggle for Mrs. Patrick, though she will have her moments at Daytona where she is running with the leaders. I truly believe the full year in the Nationwide Series will work wonders for her, in regards to both confidence and experience. Whatever her results are, 99% of NASCAR Nation will be watching the Danica show.

36. 32-Ken Schrader; FASLane Racing Ford

Schrader is initially scheduled to compete in 9 races for Frank Stoddard's operation with Federated Auto Parts as the sponsor. Expect this wily old veteran to make the most out of the patch of races he runs. No matter who Schrader drivers for, you can expect him to overachieve on the short tracks. He may pull in a top 15 or two.

35. 93-(Brian Vickers?/Travis Kvapil?); (BK Racing?) Toyota

I was hoping to have more specifics as to the plans of the former Red Bull #4 team. Unfortunately, all I have the speculation that we have all read about. Vickers has been rewarded with better opportunities with Red Bull and Hendrick Motorsports, while Kvapil's best opportunity was a one-year stint with Penske Racing. Therefore, it is really difficult to determine which driver would be most beneficial to this upstart team. Whoever gets the ride will likely spend much of their time towards the back of the pack.

*Update- David Reutimann will pilot the No. 93 Toyota in the Daytona 500 with Kvapil taking over at Phoenix!

34. 21-Trevor Bayne; Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Bayne was the feel-good story in NASCAR last February when he crossed the checkered flag first in America's largest motorsporting event. He displayed flashes of potential in the Nationwide Series, even winning his first race for Roush Fenway Racing at Texas last fall. Bayne will compete in a similar schedule as 2011, and should show some steady improvement. Last season, an illness kept Bayne off the track for several weeks, which may have impeded his progress.

33. 10-David Reutimann; Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet

While it appears as if he is sharing this ride with Danica Patrick of Stewart Haas Racing, it is unlikely that SHR will be putting as much into the project when it is Reutimann's turn to strap into the No. 10 Chevrolet. After he was unceremoniously dumped by Waltrip late last season, Reutimann will scale back and compete in roughly 25 races for Baldwin. Reutimann typically overachieves, as he is (ironically) the only driver to win a Cup race in MWR equipment. Not even Mikey himself has won a race in his own equipment. Reutimann should enjoy a few solid runs in 2012, maybe a few top 15s at best, as he looks to re-establish himself as a force in NASCAR.

32. 83-Landon Cassill; (BK Racing?) Toyota

Cassill takes over the ride formerly owned by Red Bull Racing and driven by Vickers. The young driver produced some solid performances with Phoenix Racing in 2011, including a 12th place finish at Michigan. The former Hendrick developmental driver gets his first shot as a full-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, but as of now, this team is an enigma. It will be interesting to see how things play out for this group of investors, formerly of TRG Motorsports.

31. 55-Mark Martin; Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota

Martin, now 53, will continue his driving career, as he will compete in 26 races for MWR. Martin's arrival came at the expense of Reutimann, a close friend of Waltrip, so there will be some pressure for the ageless wonder. However, Martin tends to deal with pressure quite well. Martin will likely compete at a similar level as when he drove part-time for Ginn Racing and DEI. He will sporadically run in the top 5, but will spend quite a bit of time in the 11th to 17th range.

Silly Season Winners and Losers

Kurt Busch- It is no doubt that Busch came out a loser in this year's crazy rendition of silly season. After shooting himself in the foot, figuratively of course, he "mutually" parted ways with Penske Racing and the Shell/Pennzoil sponsor. Busch will pilot the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet in 2012. While the short term results will suffer, Busch will land on his feet, and probably in the Home Depot No. 20 Toyota in 2013. That is just my prediction.

A.J. Allmendinger- Allmendinger comes out a winner in this year's silly season, as he was selected to replace Kurt Busch in the No. 22 Dodge. It is a step up from Richard Petty Motorsports, and there are no sponsorship angst surrounding this ride. Look for Allmendinger to become the next first-time winner in Sprint Cup.

David Reutimann- It is safe to say the Reutimann got a raw deal from Michael Waltrip. The two were friends, which makes it difficult to believe that Waltrip hung Reutimann out to dry so late in the year. Reutimann gave MWR its first two, and thus far only wins in Sprint Cup. What a way to say thanks. While on the surface, going from MWR to Tommy Baldwin Racing appears as a downgrade, Reutimann may be more comfortable working with a smaller team that is a distance from the spotlight. He may pull off an upset win on one of the restrictor plate tracks.

Aric Almirola- As of the writing of this article, no formal announcement had been made regarding RPM naming Almirola as the driver of the No. 43, but all signs point to this taking place in the near future. Almirola was unable to produce Brad Keselowski-like results in the JR Motorsports Nationwide Series ride, but he still finished fourth in the standings. I believe he may come out a loser in this deal. I think this team has too many question marks, unlike the team he will leave behind.

David Ragan- Wow, if Ragan cannot land the No. 88 JRM gig in the Nationwide Series, he will be that kid that lost the game of musical chairs. He almost landed a solid ride with Phoenix Racing before the No. 22 became available. He abandoned the No. 51 possibility and aggressively pursued the Penske opportunity. Penske chose another driver, but hey, the No. 43 was now available. However, it appears that Almirola provides some needed sponsorship, so it's back to the Nationwide Series in the No. 88. According to Jayski, Cole Whitt is now the leading candidate for that ride. Ragan must be banging his head against the wall. Unless things change quickly and he lands the No. 88 JRM ride, he will come up a loser in silly season. It appears he may be forced to settle for TRG Motorsports, FASLane Racing, or one of the Front Row Motorsports cars.

Kurt Busch in Richard Petty's Ride?

I must say, I've followed NASCAR for decades, but this has certainly been the most bizarre of silly seasons. I mean, the dominoes are still falling nearly month after the 2011 Sprint Cup season ended. This Kurt Busch situation has dominated the NASCAR off-season headlines. Who won the title again? Just kidding Tony Stewart fans, as I've mentioned that his championship run was reminiscent to a Dale Earnhardt moment.

Anyway, the fact that a driver such as Kurt Busch is a free agent at this point in the year is an extremely rare occurrence. Of course, he only has himself to blame. However, if the rumblings coming from Sirius radio are accurate, his talent and proven resume will put him in a solid ride before Christmas Eve. Richard Petty Motorsports co-owner Andrew Murstein and Chief Operating Officer Robbie Loomis both admitted that they would love to put the 2004 champion in the legendary No. 43 Ford.

"I think he's a great competitor who just needs to take a step back and clear his head. Perhaps someone as well-respected, talented, and universally loved like the King (that would be Richard Petty in case you reside beneath a rock) could help him accomplish that," Murstein told Foxsports.

That sounds like a guy ready to put together a deal. Of course, RPM is hoping to retain Best Buy as a sponsor, and if they are able to get over Busch's past transgressions, it is doubtful that they would pass on a driver with the skill set that Busch possesses. RPM had to work hard in order to persuade Best Buy to remain with current driver A.J. Allmendinger, who has yet to win a race or qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

Where there is smoke there is fire, and I believe this is inevitable. Loomis and Murstein want Busch, and Best Buy wants a proven winner. Of course, there will be obstacles...starting with RPM's helpful neighbors at Roush Fenway Racing. Jack Roush has made it clear he does not care for Busch following their nasty divorce six years ago. Roush and RPM have a close alliance, with Roush providing most of the benefits. Roush may attempt to use his persuasive powers to block any deal that would include bringing Kurt Busch back to the Ford camp. Ultimately, Roush does not own RPM, and the decision will be based on Murstein, Petty, and Best Buy.

What about Richard Petty? He is a legend on the track, as well as off the track. He is a symbol of class in NASCAR. Basically, he is the polar opposite of Kurt Busch. Petty has a strong fan base that still exists nearly 20 years following his retirement. He is also very image conscience. Is he ready to add a self-destructive driver like Busch to his driver roster? Clearly, there will be a lot of backlash from the anti-Busch fans, and there is thousands upon thousands of them.

Is he ready to lose fans, because he will if Busch takes over the No. 43. Many will consider this as blasphemy. I know that is extreme, but some fans are downright passionate.

On the other hand, Petty wants to win now just as bad as he did during his driving days. He will enjoy many more visits to victory lane with Kurt Busch behind the wheel.

What happens to Allmendinger if this rumor transforms into reality. Here is a guy coming off his best season in Sprint Cup. He finished 15th in the Sprint Cup standings, scoring 10 top ten finishes. He seems to improve each year.

If this goes down, Allmendinger better hope that Penske Racing takes their time in the pursuit of Busch's replacement. In fact, Allmendinger would be better off if this happens now so he can make a case for the No. 22 ride. As of now, David Ragan is the leading candidate, and could be signed by the end of the week.

If this happens, it would completely shoot down my prediction, which was that Busch would sign with Phoenix Racing's No. 51 Chevrolet, but replace Joey Logano in the No. 20 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing by June of 2012.

Speaking of Phoenix Racing, James Finch is clearly going to get an upgrade behind the wheel. If he does not land Kurt Busch, he has options that include two-time winners David Reutimann and Brian Vickers. Allmendinger and Ragan could also be available. Nothing against Landon Cassill, who was actually impressive in 2011, but any of the five mentioned drivers would be an upgrade.

Tony Stewart was Earnhardt-esque in championship run

For those who never had the privilege to watch the late Dale Earnhardt race, well, I will say that watching Tony Stewart on Sunday night at Homestead was about as close as a driver can get to mirroring the Man in Black.

Stewart drove from the back of the pack twice after a hole was punched in his front grill. He reached the front despite the setbacks with a number of aggressive passes, especially on the restarts. Stewart was able to pass three, four, sometimes five cars following a restart. Thankfully, other drivers raced Stewart smart, understanding what was on the line.

Stewart drove with the dogged determination that we find in only the greatest drivers. He was aggressive and smart at the same time. Not every driver could have made some of the moves he made Sunday night. He simply outdrove Carl Edwards, who led the standings by a mere 3 points heading into the event.

Now, Edwards did just about everything right on Sunday. He did everything he was supposed to do, by winning the pole and leading the most laps. Edwards had the car to beat. However, the experience meshed with the sheer determination of Stewart conquered the speed of Edwards. Stewart was on a mission, and he was not going to leave South Beach without his third championship trophy in NASCAR's upper echelon of competition.

He joins an exclusive and elite group by winning his third championship. He matches Hall of Fame drivers Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Lee Petty, and David Pearson with three Cup titles. He trails only 7-time champions Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, 5-time champion Jimmie Johnson, and 4-time champion Jeff Gordon. That is a group of 9 drivers in the history of the 64-year sport, where thousands of drivers have competed, that has won at least 3 champions.

Stewart's incredible drive on Sunday was reminiscent of several Dale Earnhardt moments, most notably the 2000 comeback at Talladega, and his aggressive charge through the field at Bristol in 1995, when he finished second to Terry Labonte before ramming him coming to the checkered flag. The determination in Stewart matched the determination of Earnhardt during the 1987 All-Star race at Charlotte. If you recall, Earnhardt refused to lose no matter what. Refusing to lose is exactly why Stewart won the 2011 Sprint Cup championship.

Why Kyle Busch did what he did

As of the writing of this article, no decision had been made regarding Kyle Busch's immediate future with Joe Gibbs Racing and sponsor M&M's. However, there has been a report that Nationwide Series sponsor Z-Line Designs wants to oust Busch from the seat for the Nationwide Series season finale. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin is likely to replace Busch.

As of mid-day Thursday, the future of Busch was still in discussion. Is M&M's seriously about to part company with one of the most talented drivers in the garage? It appears that they are seriously contemplating it.

Busch has been the talk of the media since 2008. The media frequently refers to him as the most talented driver in NASCAR. Some folks in the media even compare Busch to the late Dale Earnhardt, which is absurd in my opinion. When Busch eases through a weekend or two without controversy, we constantly read about the new and improved Kyle Busch, the kinder and gentler Kyle Busch. Well, that does not usually last very long, does it?

As bad as the media has wanted Busch to become Earnhardt, he just cannot seem to keep him emotions in check long enough to earn the respect that Earnhardt had. Now, Busch's immediate future is clouded with uncertainty. Will he race again this year? Will he ever race for Joe Gibbs Racing again? If so, will M&M's be on the hood?

Those questions will be answered in due time.

Many wonder why Busch reacted so abruptly in his retaliation towards Ron Hornaday last weekend in the Camping World Truck race. Some may blame NASCAR for allowing drivers to police themselves on the track. They have allowed drivers to pay evil for evil with their cars. Look at what Carl Edwards got away with last year, not once, but twice. Look at what Brian Vickers got away with at Infineon. Juan Pablo Montoya hooked Ryan Newman towards the outside wall at Richmond. I could go on and on, but the fact is NASCAR has allowed this to escalate. But are they to blame? Nope. At least not completely.

They should have made the 'invisible line' more visible last year when Edwards hooked Keselowski on the frontstretch at Gateway in front of the field, damaging several and putting other drivers at risk. However, they let Edwards keep the win and he was able to race again the very next day and week.

Busch's retaliation may have never happened if Edwards faced some sort of discipline. But the fact of the matter is that Busch did retaliate, and it was worse than what Edwards did. Additionally, Busch is responsible for his own actions, and he has had multiple run-ins over the years, and NASCAR simply had enough. He hooked a driver towards the outside wall under caution traveling roughly 130 to 140 miles per hour out of sheer anger.

In my opinion, Busch believed that NASCAR needed him. He is a polarizing figure, and is often in the headlines. He wins frequently. He sells tickets. He draws a massive reaction from the grandstands, some positive, mostly negative. Off the track, he is generous in his charitable contributions. He is everything the NASCAR loves in a driver. Following his moment of anger, he may have thought that NASCAR would give him a 'free pass'. After all, he is Kyle Busch, winner of 104 NASCAR races. Well, NASCAR survived after the career of Richard Petty and the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt. They quickly reminded Busch that they could survive without him and his played-out antics.

Busch was put in his place. Hopefully, he finally becomes the kinder and gentler Kyle Busch we kept reading about. While NASCAR does not need him to thrive, it wouldn't hurt to have him around either.

Update: Kyle Busch will run the final two races with Interstate Batteries as the sponsor. M&M's has pulled out for the final two races, but expect to return in 2012 with Busch as the driver, but with the understanding that no further embarrassing and detrimental incidents will occur.