9:01 AM
JD
The driver I think Gibbs is most excited about heading into Daytona is Joey Logano. The 20 car headed into Homestead with quite a run. The 5 finishes prior to the finale were 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th then 3rd. I think the Harvicks may have awakened a new frontrunner. Look for Logano to expand on his success from the end of 2010 and even grab a couple of wins. Although I don't feel he is quite ready for a true championship run, look out in 2012.
The most disappointed driver in the Gibbs stable this December was not Hamlin, it was Kyle Busch. Besides the facts that he had the lowest average finish out of the Gibbs drivers, he never really competed for the championship in 2010. He had some great runs, including three wins, but the season was very up and down. For example, in the Chase, Busch had 3 top tens, but also had three finishes worse than 30th. Look for some new consistency from Busch in 2011. If he can combine consistency with a few wins, he could once again be a charger in the Chase.
The end of 2010 was heartbreaking for Hamlin. Hamlin only had three finishes outside the top ten in the Chase, but two of them came in the las two races, ripping the Sprint Cup from Hamlin's grasp. Many people have made much fuss over unhappiness between Hamlin and his crew chief, Mike Ford, over poor adjustments at the end of the season and some remarks he made about Jimmie Johnson. In 2011 Hamlin will come out of the gates as hard nosed and charging as ever and will come close to his eight wins in 2010. Hamlin will, however, have to focus more on Chase tracks to ensure top five finishes at the end of the season.
Posted in: Denny Hamlin,Joe Gibbs,Joey Logano,Kyle Busch,Nascar,Nascar Blog,Race,Racing,Sprint Cup
4 comments:
Perhaps 2011 will be Logano's brekout year? They certainly hit on something at the end of the year... but they were running in 20th position for 3/4 of the year.
Kyle's hopes were doused by Reutimann early in the Chase. Kyle seems to be an all or nothing type guy. Once he was out of the running for the title, and JGR threw all their resources behind Hamlin, Kyle gave up.
He needs to regain that chip on his shoulder like he had in 2008 when he was on a mission to prove Rick Hendrick picked the wrong guy.
Yes, we all know that Kyle needs to be consistent and keep somewhat better control of his emotions - without losing his edge. He also needs to be more careful about pissing people off. David Reutimann essentially ended Kyle's championship run because he was annoyed with Kyle. The unspoken rule that non-chasers would not take chasers out intentionally was broken by Reutimannm, who I used to think was a classy guy. This is going to be a tough line for Kyle to walk between his natural aggressive style and passion and his need to get respect from the other drivers. No question about his talent - Kyle is far and away the best driver in NASCAR and he is just missing that one little piece to put it altogether and win strings of Cup races and championships. I hope he does it. He is the best thing NASCAR has going for it in the post-Earnhardt era and it's about time fans and media realized it.
Hey JD!
Good run down on all the top teams.
Although I don't think it will be the case, I've gotta hope Kyle maintains his composure better through the upcoming season. With his brash style he tends to bring out the worst from his competitors and one thing leads to another.
I guess maintaining your composure could be applied to Hamlin too. He had the world laid out before him but seemed to lose it late. I'd hate to think it was preconceived for him to be at the back of the pack in Homestead early. It sure cost him...
Logano has all the tools and a couple of things I'd like to see left behind (like Mom and Dad in the pits during races).
It seems to me Hendrick is pulling at straws. Maybe it'll work.
I have to wonder about Childress with four drivers. Seems like the last time didn't work out too well.
Penske seems to be on a belt tightening deal and who knows, maybe all the teams should be.
Roush-Fenway may have the biggest impact in 2011. If I don't miss the mark, I've got to believe their confidence is soaring after breaking in the new power package and the late results they enjoyed.
Thanks JD!
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