In the Pits

Five who could break into ‘W’ column

It was rather inconceivable that Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth could go through the entire 2008 racing season without a win. And it remains far-fetched that they will not return to Victory Lane sometime in 2009. But four other drivers with lesser credentials and one venerable veteran returning to full-time status have more to prove and can do so by breaking into the win column, some for the first time, in 2009.

Joey Logano is the most-hyped rookie driver in years, but that alone does not guarantee that Logano will get to Victory Lane in 2009. What does virtually guarantee it is the support staff surrounding him at Joe Gibbs Racing. Not only does Logano inherit a car with a rich winning tradition in the No. 20 Toyota formerly driven by Tony Stewart, but he inherits all that goes along with it, including crew chief Greg Zipadelli.

Mark Martin has won 35 Cup races, but it’s been three years since Martin last visited Victory Lane. So when he accepted the two-year offer to drive Rick Hendrick's No. 5 Chevrolet, he made it clear why he said yes. “Being sure that I was getting into something that had a chance to win meant everything,” said Martin. Winning is still on Martin’s radar, and now he gets back into equipment that can do just that.

Juan Montoya made short work at Sonoma and ran second to Tony Stewart at the Brickyard in 2007, but the F1 transplant’s progress stalled in 2008. He avoided the financial issues that forced team owner Chip Ganassi to shut down the No. 40 team, but personnel matters proved troublesome. Now, with the reinforcements of his newly merged team, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Montoya will be the dark horse to find the light of Victory Lane.

David Ragan had 11 more top-10s in 2008 than in ’07. Ragan’s marked improvement bodes well for the third-year driver. Ragan also benefits from his surroundings. There are worse places to draw a check than at Roush Fenway Racing. And having Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray to lean on can’t be a bad thing. The equipment, the know-how, the opportunity is there; it’s time for the driver to take the next step.

Brian Vickers has had four top-five finishes since his 2006 win at Talladega when he stormed to victory on the final lap for Hendrick Motorsports. No matter that he spun out teammate Jimmie Johnson to do it. There are plenty of folks who aren’t going to consider Vickers a winner until he goes out and does it again without putting his front fender to another driver’s rear bumper first. As the lead driver for NASCAR’s most improved organization, Red Bull Racing Team, Vickers appears in prime position to get career win No. 2 (and public perception victory No. 1).
Source: NASCAR.com

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