Here they are, from worst to first the 2004 NEXTEL Cup Raybestos Rookie Of The Year challengers.
A Lot To Overcome
Jumping straight from the truck series where he was the 2002 Rookie Of The Year and last year's fourth place points finisher Brendan Gaughan will take over the driving duties of the #77 from Dave Blaney.
Last year this team only managed a 28th place points position, third-to-last among teams that made every race in 2004. Bootie Barker is gone as crew chief leaving the race day decisions to Shane Wilson. Brendan will have a steep learning curve in front of him and a weak team supporting him. This is a lot to overcome in NASCAR's top division.
Rebuilding Effort
Johnny Sauter will enter the NEXTEL Cup series with Richard Childress and the AOL Chevy. Sauter finished eighth last season in the Busch series with one win.
Childress has a great eye for young talent and he sees something in Johnny but I'm having a hard time spotting it. Add a non-superstar driver to a team that is struggling and it doesn't add up to a Rookie Of The Year winner. Childress must be looking to rebuild his team around this young driver with an eye for the future.
