10 things to expect in '08 (cont'd)

DAVE RODMAN
Predictions are a dangerous limb to go out on, but it's a limb on which brave men and women (and foolish sports writers) thrive.

With that said, here are a few tidbits that at least one guy thinks will happen in 2008.

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1. The phrase "COT" will die a slow, and I guess, to NASCAR, painful death
It's not possible to tag something 18 months out, and then all of sudden, as of Jan. 1, 2008, expect to drop the title. It's even tougher when your key TV partners and most of your competitors and media continue to use it.

2. At least four Toyota drivers will win races
My sincere hope is that the uncertain and unforeseen will continually rear their shaggy heads. If they don't, Hendrick Motorsports is likely to win half the races once again and, while I don't see their performance lagging at all, circumstances will open the door for others.

3. Two new winners will grace Sprint Cup Victory Lanes
I almost wanted to say no new winners would make it to Victory Lane, but there is a lot of talent swimming around the series. And with Reed Sorenson and Dave Blaney making a significant amount of progress last season, they might be the ones most likely to do it.

4. Juan Montoya will win two pole positions
You won't get me to predict where, but Montoya made enough progress throughout 2007, if he and crew chief Donnie Wingo continue to blossom, it's almost inevitable that the quick Colombian will end up on the inside of a couple of front rows.

5. Regan Smith will score a victory for the "little guys" everywhere
Smith will out-run his four more highly regarded open-wheel competitors and win the Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year award. Smith will trade on solid DEI equipment and the experience of his veteran crew chief, Doug Richert, to prevail (read more).

6. Neither attendance nor TV ratings will perk up appreciably
At least until the economy seriously turns around. Right or wrong, there are too many thorns currently irritating people's skin: From foreign cars to foreign drivers to TV formats and commentators who strike them as something from a foreign land, as well.

Autostock

Johnny Benson

7. Carl Edwards' victory margin will be cut in half
Despite an onslaught of tough Toyotas, led by another year of experience for David Reutimann, a financially revitalized Braun Racing and "new recruit" Joe Gibbs Racing, Edwards and his Roush Fenway Racing team will win a second consecutive Nationwide Series title.

8. Chevrolet will win the most races
We're talking total, across NASCAR's three national touring series, but Chevrolet will only take two of the six driver and owner championships available. Toyota's cars will provide the biggest surprise among the manufacturers, with their biggest impact, obviously, continuing in the Craftsman Truck Series.

9. Popular veteran Johnny Benson will score his second NASCAR championship
Nearly 15 years after he won the 1995 Busch Series title, Benson will win another championship this season by edging his Bill Davis Racing teammate Mike Skinner and capturing the Craftsman Truck Series crown, winning at least five races in the process.

10. Short fields will be common in Nationwide and Truck series racing
As the economy continues to trouble various elements in the motorsports community, from the fans to the media to the tracks and race teams themselves, two NASCAR divisions -- the Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series -- will have the highest numbers of "short fields," maybe ever. (Continued)