Recent NASCAR history suggests that the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion will come from one of NASCAR's superteams. A small team has not won the Championship since 1992. That trend is not likely to be reversed in 2008.
The Ford Contenders
Roush Fenway Racing picked up two of the last five Championships with Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth. However, Ford struggled in 2007. We will need to see some real improvement through the first 10 races of 2008 in order to believe that they have a shot to get back to the top of the sport.
Ford's best chances include Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards.
Dodge's Best Chance
Penske Racing posted strong runs in 2007 but was not consistent enough to seriously stake a claim on the 2008 title.
Kurt Busch was the best of the Dodge camp in 2007 as the only Dodge driver in the Chase.
Toyota's Breakthrough Year
Joe Gibbs Racing switches to the Toyota Camry for the 2008 season. This immediately thrusts them into the Championship spotlight. Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin are both solid Sprint Cup contenders with a legitimate chance to break through for Toyota.
I believe Toyota will find Victory Lane as Joe Gibbs Racing has all of the tools to get the job done. However Toyota is still in the learning curve and I don't believe they will win it all in 2008.
Chevrolet... Again
Hendrick Motorsports and driver Jimmie Johnson won the last two Championships. Although he finished second in points Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon dominated the 2007 season.
There have been minimal changes to these teams for 2008 and clearly they have to be the favorite coming into this year.
2008 Sprint Cup Prediction
Jimmie Johnson has enjoyed the spotlight for the last two seasons. Hendrick Motorsports is on top of the sport at the moment. Until another team can prove otherwise Hendrick Motorsports must be considered the favorite to win it all again.
Jeff Gordon dominated 2007 but came up just short in the Chase. I believe his team will do whatever it takes to achieve that next step. Jeff Gordon will be the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion.
