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A new season is here as NASCAR starts the new year off with preseason testing at Daytona. With a new year come new expectations within some of NASCAR’s series.
Heading into the 2013 season there will be a few new and some recognizable faces within the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide Series, and Sprint Cup Series. There will be drivers moving up into new series and other drivers who have decided which series they will be focusing on the most this season.
The agenda for some drivers in the new year will be to compete for wins but for a few drivers they will have to perform well with new teams. For others the agenda for the new season will be to perform well in a new series, or making the move into full time racing.
As the new NASCAR season is ready to begin expect the unexpected, as there is always something new to talk about in the season. With the first green flag of the year just moments away from being waived, there will be plenty to look forward to.
As many are making resolutions, it is time to make predictions of what can drivers, teams, and fans possibly expect in a season where new cars and new races are making their debuts.
Before the green flag waves it is time to predict which drivers will be making their way to victory lane, which drivers will end the season with high honors, and who will raise up the trophy at the end of each series’ season finale.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Will Win Cup Series Rookie of the Year Honors
After wining back-to-back championships in the Nationwide Series, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be making his move up into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Upon making his move into a new series, Stenhouse will be one of a few drivers who will be competing in their first full-time cup season. Within all of the rookie drivers, Stenhouse may have the upper hand over his competitors as a past champion in another series.
Although Stenhouse my have the upper hand his major competition for rookie honors will be Danica Patrick, whom both spent the 2012 season competing against each other in the Nationwide Series. As the season progresses all eyes will be on them as they not only compete for wins but for rookie honors. Between the two Stenhouse will end the season with rookie honors.
Ty Dillon Will Be Up Front In 2013
Upon achieving several accomplishments within his rookie year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ty Dillon will be back looking to capture the title that slipped away from his hands.
Upon being a championship contender in 2012 and after being involved in a wreck when the championship was within reach, Dillon will be looking for retribution. In his rookie season Dillon proved he had what it took to be up front and that he is championship material.
Going in the 2013 season Dillon will have another chance and will be within the championship chase once again. Dillon was able to adapt to the change from the ARCA Series to the trucks and after getting one-year experience in, the more comfortable he will be to compete. Dillon will be on a mission in 2013 and it will be to capture that title after his chance to win was taken away.
The Hunt For Six Continues For Jimmie Johnson
A new year and new season will be the opportunity that “five time” Jimmie Johnson is looking for.
After being a championship contender in 2012 and missing out on his sixth championship, Johnson will still be on the hunt after barely missing out on the second place syndrome. Leaving Homestead in the 2012 finale in third place with a point in between him and second place finisher Clint Bowyer, missing out on the dreaded second place syndrome will be the good news for Johnson in 2013.
Expect to see Mr. Five Time up front again and competing for wins after his performance in the 2012 season, especially within the chase. He came short of his goal but it will be his motivation in moving forward. Johnson is one of the drivers that is consistent within the season and expect to see him continue being consistent in his chase for championship win number six.
Carl Edwards Will Be Back In 2013
Throughout the 2012 season Carl Edwards became the victim of the second place syndrome after his runner-up performance from 2011. All that will change come the 2013 season.
Since his last win at Las Vegas back in March 2011, Edwards has gone winless and is still looking to return to Victory Lane. Heading into a new season with a fresh start and after falling victim to the second place syndrome his chances to return to winning form are much higher.
In the past Edwards has gone through the same situation and recovered.
Going into the new season several changes have been made within Edwards’ team and will play in his favor as he looks forward to returning into winning shape.
Travis Pastrana Will Be A Contender
Upon getting his feet wet in a partial schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Travis Pastrana will be going in full time in 2013.
Along with his full time move Pastrana will be racing with a new team in Roush Fenway Racing. After getting a couple of races in 2012 and with the new changes it will give him the opportunity to perform well in his first full time season.
Although it will be Pastrana’s first full-time run, he won’t be able to collect Rookie of the Year honors but he will be a contender. After adapting in the Series and having consistency within his part time ride in 2012, Pastrana will finish within the top-10 in 2013.
