10 things to expect in '08

Dale Jr. has teamed with Hendrick Motorsports. Gibbs cars are now Toyota ... and fast. And JPM isn't the only former open-wheel star on the Sprint Cup circuit anymore.

The 2008 season is upon us and the NASCAR.COM writers have compiled their individual lists of 10 things to expect in '08.

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MARK AUMANN
1. Will Toyota win a race in 2008?
Not only will the manufacturer finally visit Victory Lane in NASCAR's premier series, but there should be two, perhaps more in the Chase. Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin are all capable of getting there (read more).

2. Can Jimmie Johnson three-peat?
That's a tall order, based on the flukiness of the Chase, but with Hendrick equipment, Chad Knaus on the pit box and Johnson behind the wheel, everything's still in place to continue the success of the past two seasons (read more).

3. Can Jeff Gordon get title No. 5?
Under the old points system, he'd already have No. 6, but the No. 24 crew hasn't been able to pull it off under the 10-race shootout that is the Chase. If Johnson falters, Gordon's the most likely driver to step in and grab the title.

4. Has Dale Earnhardt Jr. matured?
All indications are yes. Without the pressure of being the No. 1 driver of the family operation, Junior's more relaxed. At the same time, now that he's with Hendrick, expectations are high -- and another winless season won't go over well.

5. Can Jack Roush's teams return to contention?
Ford's No. 1 outfit got caught napping with the introduction of the new car, but by the end of the season, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle were mixing it up at the front of the field. Things should only get better in 2008.

6. Who will get a handle on the new car?
Since the majority of the races on the schedule take place on intermediate tracks, the organization that first figures out the secrets to making it handle best at that distance will be the odds-on favorite for the championship.

7. Will the open-wheel revolution succeed?
Of Sam Hornish Jr., Dario Franchitti, Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpentier, at least one will crack the top 20 at the end of the season, while at least one other will find himself out of work by then.

8. How much of an effect will the economic downturn have on NASCAR?
The lack of sponsorship dollars is not only hitting small teams hard, it's leaving teams like Yates and Ganassi pounding the pavement in search of operating income. It's possible that a team with longtime ties to the sport shuts its doors for good before Homestead.

9. Where does the Nationwide Series go from here?
The name has changed, but the identity issues remain for NASCAR's No. 2 series. Is it a Saturday showcase for today's Cup stars or a developmental series for the next generation of drivers? There's no easy solution, as NASCAR, promoters, sponsors, team owners and fans all share a stake.

10. What do we call the Craftsman Truck Series in 2009?
This is the final season of the deal with Sears -- and NASCAR's shopping the series sponsorship. Is there anybody out there willing to take on the financial responsibility for what has proved to be the most entertaining series in NASCAR? (Continued)