Who to watch in 2010: Drivers to keep an eye on

Mark Aumann

Patrick

The biggest story of 2010 might not even hang around long enough to see NASCAR's season-opener. But know that Danica Patrick's stock-car debut the week before the Daytona 500 will not only be keenly observed by key people in Daytona Beach and on Madison Avenue, but by both long-time NASCAR fans and people who couldn't tell you the difference between a camshaft and a carburetor. For all its flash, NASCAR's diversity program has yet to produce tangible results, so going the "beg, borrow or steal" route pried Danica-mania away from open-wheel, at least on a trial basis. The marketing folks will tell you 40 percent of the NASCAR fan base is female, so don't believe for a second that Patrick won't be given every opportunity to "make it on her own." You may already be sick of the hype, but for a sport that's become increasingly bland, Patrick could finally provide some much-needed spiciness.

Dark horse:
• Brad Keselowski

Related content:
• Patrick comments on her schedule, challenge of racing stock cars.

Jarrod Breeze

Montoya

Juan Montoya already was an accomplished and winning driver before he got to NASCAR. It was a matter of adjusting to stock-car racing. In 2009 he seemed to do just that, posting career-highs in top-fives and top-10's and making the Chase. Now comes the next step: winning in the Cup Series. He has one road-course victory, but naysayers want to see that oval win. If he can break through, he may just keep on going. Plus, the fact that he is beginning to thrive in today's NASCAR despite not driving for one of the four super-teams lends even more credence to his talent.

Dark Horse:
• Martin Truex Jr.

Related content:
• Montoya caps '09 season with first Chase berth.

David Caraviello

Keselowski

Brad Keselowski. We know the kid is fearless -- he proved that by staying in the throttle as he neared the finish line at Talladega last April. We know he has spunk -- he showed that by entangling himself in a year-end Nationwide feud with Denny Hamlin. We know he can win -- he reached Victory Lane five times last year in NASCAR's top two series combined. But can Brad K cut it as a full-time driver in Sprint Cup? At Penske, he'll surely have a good car. In the garage area, his sometimes aggressive tactics are liable to earn him as many enemies as friends. Can he crash the Chase? Who knows? But it will be a whole lot of fun to watch.

Dark horse:
•Marcos Ambrose.

Related content:
• Keselowski gets in the back of Edwards, wins his first race.

Bill Kimm

Montoya

Juan Montoya proved in 2009 he could make the Chase -- the question now, can he win races and challenge for a title? It was a career-year for Montoya in 2009. In his third season he set career highs in top-fives (7), top-10's (18), poles (2) and made the Chase for the first time in his career. But there was still something missing -- a win. Sure, Montoya opened many eyes in garage and in the stands, but Montoya wasn't brought to NASCAR to finish in the top 10. A Chase berth is nice, but now we need to see Montoya couple that with a few victories and a legitimate shot at the championship. All eyes should be on the No. 42 in 2010.

Dark horse:
• Tayler Malsam

Related content:
No. 42 team wins award for most valuable pit crew.

Joe Menzer

Busch

Aside from the aforementioned Tony Stewart, whom I already predicted would win his third Sprint Cup championship in 2010, the driver who bears the closest watching is Kyle Busch. As former champion crew chief and car owner Ray Evernham noted at the end of last season, Busch will be hungrier than ever in 2010 after narrowly failing to make the Chase in 2009. As defending champion in the Nationwide Series, Busch also now has a taste of what it's like to finish at the top in one of NASCAR's three national touring series -- and there is no doubt he likes it. He will push hard to add a Cup championship trophy to his mantle this season, winning more than even his usual ample share of races along the way.

Dark horse:
• Marcos Ambrose

Related content:
• Busch, JGR committed to winning Cup title.

Dave Rodman

Edwards

Without question, Carl Edwards is the man to keep an eye on this season, for a variety of reasons. First, Edwards has become the face of Roush Fenway Raceway, and in 2009 he was as mud-smeared as the rest of his mates as they under performed, with Edwards failing to win after scoring nine times in 2008. Can he get back on form? Edwards was married in 2009 and will become a father even as the 2010 season begins. There's no questioning his focus, but parenthood is the ultimate challenging career dynamic. Through it all, Edwards will again have to bear the load of competing in two series, while at least early in the season, shaking off any lingering effects of his broken foot.

Dark horse: Trevor Bayne

Related content:
• Edwards makes the most of what little was offered to him.

Chris Stanfield

Johnson

Call me predictable, but until someone puts a stop to this man, it's going to be tough to take your eyes off of Jimmie Johnson as he and Knaus chase a fifth title. Being featured on HBO's 24/7 series wont hurt to grow his fan base either. It's not as if the team has been decimated in the off season and if Johnson comes out swinging by claiming trips to Victory Lane early on, it will be all anyone talks about.

Dark horse:
• Brad Keselowski

Related content:
• It'll take more than a baby to knock Johnson off-stride.

Raygan Swan

For a rookie, Joey Logano's inaugural season left us with many impressive highlights. This is why the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is one to watch this season and not just another sophomore finding his way on the track.

Logano

Recall Darlington Raceway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, two of NASCAR's toughest tracks on the circuit. Logano -- with maturity, respect and patience -- posted remarkable finishes at both places. For his first Brickyard start, and youngest to do so, Logano was forced to start in the back but finished 12th. At Darlington, with a nod to veteran Cale Yarborough, he finished ninth.

His debut may have been inconsistent at first, but the Raybestos Rookie of the Year came away from the season with one victory and seven top-10's. But it wasn't an easy ride. Logano made national news and an appearance on "Good Morning America" for one of the sport's most spectacular crashes. The rookie rolled several times at Dover after a racing incident with Tony Stewart.

Through it all, Logano maintained a humbled attitude and will continue to live up to his "sliced bread" status in 2010.

Dark horse:
• Jamie McMurray

Related content:
• Logano walks away after rolling at Dover.