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.