NASCAR teams offered a first look at 2012 Sprint Cup programs during the recent Media Tour. After several offered insight and predictions, it's time to separate the optimism from the reality of what each faces this season.
Here are first impressions of the teams:
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
Team owner Chip Ganassi offered an honest assessment of EGR as he reflected on the wholesale changes throughout his organization. “It’s pretty obvious what spurred me,” Ganassi said. “We were 21st and 27th in the points, and that’s just pathetic for a team with our ability and our resources, simple as that.” So Ganassi cleaned house. He hired John Probst as technical director in September and rebuilt the No. 42 team for Juan Pablo Montoya adding crew chief Chris Heroy and retaining just three former members of the squad in the offseason. While Jamie McMurray’s team remains intact, expect a similar cleansing with the No. 1 crew if results don’t materialize by May.
— Lee Spencer
Front Row Motorsports
David Ragan joins David Gilliland with Front Row this season, giving the team a strong pairing for the restrictor-plate tracks and a duo hungry to build the team into a contender. Both are locked into the opening five Cup races, where the points are taken from 2011. Ragan, 26, earned his first career victory in 2011 while driving for Roush Fenway Racing, but lack of sponsorship caused his team to shut down. Now, he’s looking to improve on his overall performance and prove that he belongs among the sport’s top drivers. Gilliland finished third in the season-opening Daytona 500 last season and is seeking his first Cup victory in his fourth season with the team. Both have a lot to prove, which could make them more of a threat, especially on the plate tracks, which count among the best tracks for both drivers.
— Rea White
Furniture Row Racing
Look for an increased level of performance from Furniture Row Racing. Getting his first Sprint Cup win in 2011 has added to driver Regan Smith’s confidence. He moved to Denver to be close to the team shop, and everyone is intent on building on last season. This team has been gaining ground annually. There’s absolutely no reason to think that it will not continue to do so this season. There’s no reason this single-car entry can’t easily finish in the top 15 in the standings, challenge for the Chase field and return to Victory Lane.
— Rea White
Hendrick Motorsports
Even before team owner Rick Hendrick’s bold claim last week that he wants his four teams in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup and one of them to win the championship, 2012 was all about great expectations for this juggernaut. But don’t expect the pressure to make this group crumble as every driver in the stable comes in with something to prove. All the talk of tension in Team 48 between Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus appears to be quashed, and now the duo is back with a vengeance as it looks to start another title romp. Jeff Gordon is determined to prove that he hasn’t lost a step at 40, and last year’s three-win resurgence proves he’s still got lots left in the tank. Newcomers Kasey Kahne and crew chief Kenny Francis relish the opportunity to work their magic at Hendrick, having won races in past years despite turmoil surrounding them at Petty (2010) and Red Bull (2011). That leaves Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sure, he’s winless since 2008, but last year’s pairing with Steve Letarte was just the kick-start he needed. If the No. 88 crew can get a win early (see: Daytona 500), the sky is the limit.
—Jorge Mondaca
Joe Gibbs Racing
Like drama? Pay attention to JGR in 2012. There may be no other organization in NASCAR with as much youth and talent, but at the same time there’s no group out there that creates as much hardship. Kyle Busch certainly looks like he learned his lesson after getting parked for a Cup race in 2011 for aggressive driving, but can he keep his cool as rivals do their best to rattle him? Denny Hamlin hasn’t looked the same since losing the championship in the final race of the 2010 season. Can a new crew chief get him back on track to be a title contender, or will 2012 be another disappointment? And can Joey Logano show the talent that everybody says he has, or will this contract year prove too much and cause him to fail?
— Jorge Mondaca
JTG Daugherty Racing
Here’s an organization intent on gaining traction in the Cup series — and willing to take time to rebuild to do just that. The team has added crew chief Todd Berrier and has left the alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing and struck out on its own. Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion, will provide veteran leadership to a team focused on first gaining top-20 finishes on a regular basis, then moving up through the ranks. Labonte and Berrier must work to improve the organization and keep the goals realistic — and therefore the team members from losing faith — in order for this group to build and grow through the coming year.
— Rea White
Michael Waltrip Racing
Michael Waltrip Racing is growing up right in front of our eyes. Entering its sixth full season of competition, the group went all in and upgraded its driver pool by hiring veterans Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin, who will drive a part-time schedule along with the team's namesake. Combine that with Martin Truex Jr., who despite having a subpar 2011 turned it up late in the year and started getting results, and you have an organization that can challenge for race wins and could challenge for a coveted Chase spot.
— Jorge Mondaca
Penske Racing
After an offseason of dramatic change in which the team lost a crew chief and split with its championship-contending driver, 2012 is a huge reboot for Team Penske — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Brad Keselowski is embracing his new role as leader of the organization and, after a breakout year in 2011, a shot of confidence could be just the thing to motivate him to greater heights. Meanwhile, the pressure will be on the new-look No. 22 team as crew chief Todd Gordon and driver AJ Allmendinger take over a race-winning team. But fear not; Allmendinger was knocking on the door of scoring his first career Cup win — and that was before the boost he got by winning the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona Grand-Am race this past weekend. Combine that with Gordon, a successful Nationwide Series crew chief who will be itching to prove he’s a Cup-caliber pit boss, and you have a partnership that is not only hungry for success but will also bring new ideas to the table that may help Keselowski and Co. as well.
— Jorge Mondaca
Phoenix Racing
Phoenix Racing has long been a team expected to contend on restrictor-plate tracks annually. This year, though, the expectations and attention surrounding the season are amplified as 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch joins the organization. Busch and crew chief Nick Harrison will need to meld quickly and find a way to handle the intense media and fan scrutiny as Busch adjusts to working within the framework of a single-car team. But with Hendrick Motorsports equipment, and Busch’s dedication to putting fun back into his racing career, this team should improve dramatically from the start and contend for wins on a variety of tracks. If things come together quickly for this group, anything is possible in 2012.
— Rea White
Richard Childress Racing
If there’s one NASCAR organization that’s ramping up for the future, it’s RCR. The acquisition of Kevin Harvick Inc. strengthens the organization’s foundation, plus alleviates the responsibility from Kevin Harvick, who can concentrate solely on the Sprint Cup title. With RCR’s most veteran crew chief Shane Wilson calling the shots, Harvick should be favored to win the title. The addition of Drew Blickensderfer offers Jeff Burton, 44, a cheerleader from on top of the pit box who won’t be afraid to be brutally honest with a driver who had his worst points finish in 17 years. Under the direction of Slugger Labbe and in RCR equipment, Paul Menard had his most successful season in 2011, a run that included his breakthrough Brickyard 400 win. There’s no reason why the No. 27 can’t be a regular top-15 contender.
— Lee Spencer
Richard Petty Motorsports
This team is the most difficult to assess entering the season. Marcos Ambrose broke through with a win on a road course, and then teammate AJ Allmendinger showed the ability to challenge for wins. Ambrose should be a threat on road courses once more. The organization has the power of Roush Yates engines. It also has a driver with limited Cup experience in Aric Almirola to work with, is seeking sponsorship and has added a Nationwide program to its workload. Longtime leader Robbie Loomis is no longer with the organization, so there’s a shift in how it will manage its Cup program. This team needs to get off to a strong start with Ambrose and provide plenty of guidance to the talented Almirola in order to compete with the larger organizations.
— Rea White
Roush Fenway Racing
The greatest challenge for Roush Fenway Racing this season will be procuring sponsorship. It’s curious that an organization that places two drivers in the top four in the Sprint Cup standings and wins the Nationwide Series title can’t attract the funding to support a full complement of programs. Certainly, the drivers are holding up their end of the bargain. Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth should be able to pick up where they left off — and the No. 17 team can perhaps even improve its position. The pairing of Greg Biffle and Matt Puccia has had time to germinate, and expect the No. 16 to return to Chase-contending form. While NNS champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will see seat time in the No. 6 Ford, it will take something more permanent in Cup to keep him under the RFR roof.
— Lee Spencer
Stewart-Haas Racing
Coming off a championship should put a team in good form, but a slate of changes at Stewart-Haas Racing could alter the game for the group. Tony Stewart won his first title as an owner-driver in 2011; he’ll try to defend it with a new crew chief, new competition director and an added part-time teammate in Danica Patrick. Stewart has the talent to do just that. Meanwhile, teammate Ryan Newman and his group need to pick up the pace a step in order to not only make the Chase for the Sprint Cup, but to also be a factor in it. The competition should watch out, though. Stewart has shown that he knows what it takes to put together a championship effort and a title-worthy organization. This could be his year again.
— Rea White
Tommy Baldwin Racing
The spotlight will be on TBR as it expands with veterans Dave Blaney and David Reutimann to round out the Cup complement while also providing a seat for Blaney’s 18-year-old son Ryan, who is already on Tony Stewart’s radar.
—Lee Spencer
