 | | Casey Mears posted nine top-10 finishes in just his second Cup season. Credit: Autostock |
By Ryan Smithson, NASCAR.COM
January 3, 2005
09:34 AM EST (14:34 GMT)
This is the final top 10 list reviewing 2004 and looking ahead to '05. Peering into the crystal ball for the next 12 months: Kahne will finish in the top five in points Kasey Kahne was in the top five for over a third of the races in 2004, and that kind of I-can-get-to-the-front ability will make him a mainstay when he makes the Chase. Evernham actually strengthened its team during the offseason, and Kahne's inevitable improvement on the short tracks and road courses will keep him solidly in the top 10. Martin will go out
with a huge year Very few people were better than Mark Martin in the second half of 2004, and that momentum will continue in 2004. Martin will cruise through his final season with a pair of wins and a slew of top-10s. Roush has solved its engine reliability problems, and Martin will finish on the lead lap in nearly every event. The rookies will struggle The days of rookies running up front will probably take a year off. Like Brian Vickers, it will take Kyle Busch most of year to get settled at Hendrick, and Travis Kvapil faces a steep learning curve at Penske. For the second consecutive year, a rookie will fail to win a race, although Busch will be good for a few top-fives. Jarrett, Marlin will set retirement dates Dale Jarrett just passed his 48th birthday, and Sterling Marlin turns 48 in June. The odds of a driver competing effectively past their 50th birthday are remote -- even in high-profile rides. Expect more drivers to follow the Bill Elliott model and compete in a handful of races instead of quitting cold turkey. Darlington stays on the schedule -- for now Darlington is probably safe on the Nextel Cup schedule until NASCAR is able to complete a track in either the Northwest or New York, and those tracks are still years away. Even though many have already theorized that Darlington's first night race will be its swan song, except the track to stay around at least a couple more years. Biffle will threaten to make the Chase Greg Biffle keeps improving each year, but more importantly, so does his team. Biffle will have the same crew chief (Doug Richert) for the second straight year, and the two showed a lot of chemistry in 2004, especially after a rough start. Hmiel will be hired by a high-profile team After Martin Truex Jr., Shane Hmiel is the best young driver in NASCAR not currently in Nextel Cup racing. Hmiel will get off to a hot start in the Busch Series and will be under heavy demand by Nextel Cup owners by the time Silly Season kicks into high gear. Earnhardt Jr. will have an off-year -- by his standards It will take Dale Earnhardt Jr. several weeks to develop some chemistry with new crew chief Pete Rondeau, which will keep his win total down. Earnhardt Jr. won't repeat last year's six wins, but he'll make the Chase and have a shot at a late title run. More than 10 drivers
will make the Chase It was possible for 14 drivers to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2004, and with NASCAR's ever-increasing parity, look for 11 or 12 drivers to make the 400-point cutoff this year. Mears, McMurray combine for at least three victories Casey Mears and Jamie McMurray were shut out in 2004, but they are entering their third year as teammates and should continue to improve. Mears' best bet for a win lies on a road course or a 1.5-mile track, while McMurray is dangerous at Darlington and the short tracks. → Click here for other Top 10 Lists. | 
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