Junior leads list of drivers who need to step up in '10

1. We all know Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had a miserable season. But other than him, which driver who disappointed in 2009 needs to step it up next year?

David Caraviello: Clearly, it goes unsaid that Junior heads this category. He can't endure another year like this one, not at Hendrick, not while three teammates are all vying for the title. But if I had to pick another driver, it would have to be Kevin Harvick. The guy hasn't won in a while, and he wants out at RCR, and he needs to show people he's still the top-flight driver we all think he is.

Dave Rodman: As most questions of this ilk are, very complicated. Step up for personal satisfaction? Step up to stay in a ride? Step up to stay in the series? So all of those do figure in. Thanks for diverting me. Harvick's a complicated one. To me, he's proven who he is and what he can do, so I'd eliminate him because I feel if he's leaving, he already knows where he's going.

Duane Cross: This could take a while -- pick an RCR driver; the Roush guys have struggled; Brian Vickers made the Chase and then disappeared. If I had to narrow it down to one, it would be Kevin Harvick. He needs to step up and lead the RCR team even if it is his final season with the No. 29.

David Caraviello: Duane, I agree, you could pick any RCR driver. But Harvick drives the flagship vehicle, and he's also placed a lot of the onus on RCR for the struggles of the No. 29 car. If Jeff Burton or Clint Bowyer breaks out next year, and Harvick continues to struggle -- well, maybe we're placing blame in the wrong place. I'm not saying that's going to happen, but given that he's put himself on the market for 2011, Kevin can't necessarily afford it to.

Duane Cross: Harvick is the most glaring -- probably because of his comments about closing the book with RCR. But there are others who are fully aware of their need to step up in 2010. It'll be interesting to see how several drivers -- and teams -- play out during the early part of next season.

Dave Rodman: From a personal standpoint, Clint Bowyer needs to step up. And I think he and Shane Wilson will be back in the Chase, no trouble. It's too easy to forget that's a new team, basically; but even yet they were the best of the RCR bunch. So that's a done deal, though it appears Richard and his group have struck gold with the Burton-Berrier pairing and getting Scott Miller into an overview spot.

David Caraviello: We need to start seeing a little more progress out of Scott Speed. Sam Hornish Jr. has to take the next step and be a little more consistent. And Kyle Busch needs to get back into championship contention -- for both himself and the betterment of the sport. Things are a lot more fun when he's winning races and mixing it up. I think Kyle is going to be OK, though. He won some races this year, didn't miss the Chase by much, and I like what I've seen with him and new crew chief Dave Rogers thus far.

Duane Cross: If there is one driver who can end the Driver for Five -- for both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon -- it's Rowdy. Personally, I'd love to see him in the mix a year from now; I'd like the Chase to live up to its expectations with at least three drivers heading to Homestead with title aspirations. Also, I'm eager to see how Martin Truex Jr. gets out of the blocks with Waltrip. It'll be interesting to see if David Ragan gets back on the beam. And Joey Logano's learning curve continues.

Dave Rodman: Ragan had that one season when he was on the verge of the Chase. Assuming he's going to have a new team structure next season, it would seem Ragan would have to show distinct signs of getting back near where he was in 2008 to stay aligned with Roush Fenway.

David Caraviello: Goodness, guys, I completely forgot about David Ragan. That shows you how far off the map he's fallen. From the brink of making the Chase to anonymity. Yeah, he's right up there with Harvick. Jack Roush has invested a lot in him, he's proven he can be in contention, and he needs to get back up there again.

Dave Rodman: And now this gets to be where it's pretty funny for three guys like us, who have neither skin nor a vote in the game, are in a position of kicking people out. But Casey Mears needs to continue on the upward curve he's been on lately or, with real crop of new talent: The Trevor Baynes of the world, guys like him could be in trouble for staying in cherry Cup rides.

Duane Cross: For as accommodating as Casey is, the reality is his window has closed; he's not going to be a top-tier driver, a guy you build a team around in the hopes of contending for a championship.

David Caraviello: And Casey needs a ride first. We haven't heard anything definitive on the status of that No. 07 team for next season. Childress wants to run it, even part-time, but sponsorship will dictate that. Though it would be nice to see what the guy could do with two years in the same car. (Continued)