Challenger for Johnson in '10? Evernham likes Busch

Joe Menzer -- The champagne hadn't even settled in Jimmie Johnson's overflowing championship cup before the conversation began anew.

Who's the early favorite to be favored to knock Jimmie Johnson from his throne as Sprint Cup champion?

Twice as nice

Kyle Busch celebrates his first Nationwide Series title and ninth victory of the season.

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While no one in his right mind would pick against Johnson next year as he launches his drive for five, it's always popular offseason fodder to try to project who -- if anyone -- can unseat the four-time defending champion next year.

Should it be Mark Martin, who finished second in the point standings to Johnson this season at age 50? How about Jeff Gordon, another four-time champion who helped Hendrick Motorsports complete an unprecedented 1-2-3 sweep in the 2009 points?

Then there are other strong candidates, such as Tony Stewart, who led in points most of the season before the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup commenced; Kurt Busch, who finished fourth in points; or even Denny Hamlin, who won Sunday's season-closing Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and at times outran Johnson in the Chase. And who can completely forget or ignore Carl Edwards, who won a series-high nine races in 2008 and finished second to Johnson in points before shockingly getting shut out this season?

But the choice of former car owner and longtime crew chief Ray Evernham, now primarily an analyst for ESPN, is none of the above. Asked that very question prior to Sunday's race, Evernham was quick with a very different answer.

He chose a driver who didn't even make the 12-man Chase field this season. He said he foresees Kyle Busch rising up to challenge Johnson next season.

Evernham's explanation

Evernham is well aware of the fact that Busch finished 13th in points -- and out of the Chase -- this season despite winning four races. He said he figures that will be a motivating factor next season not only for Busch, but for all those who are charged with making the No. 18 Toyota that Busch drives for Joe Gibbs Racing go faster on a more consistent basis.

There already has been a crew change for Busch's Cup team next season, with Dave Rogers replacing Steve Addington for the final three races this season.

"I think the fact that [JGR president] J.D. [Gibbs] and [owner] Joe [Gibbs] had somewhat of an off year compared to what they were expecting -- combined with the fact that Toyota saw that, too -- will make for some changes over there," Evernham said. (Continued)