Before the 2009 season, I made predictions about the year ahead. Now with the 2009 season behind us, I have decided to take a look back at my picks to see how I fared. The five categories were 1.) Driver leading the standings after 26 races 2.) Driver who would miss the Chase 3.) Biggest surprise 4.) Biggest disappointment 5.) Sprint Cup champion.
Points leader after 26 races
Prediction: Carl Edwards
Actual points leader: Tony Stewart (before Chase reset)
Like many, I figured Carl Edwards would lead the standings heading into the final ten races. In 2008, Edwards was the only driver who gave Jimmie Johnson a run for his money, scoring nine wins and finishing 69 points behind Johnson. Unfortunately for Edwards, success from 2008 did not transfer to 2009. After his best season, Edwards struggled throughout the year and failed to visit victory lane. While Edwards made the Chase, he did not lead the points going into the final ten events. In fact, Edwards failed to lead the series standings at all in 2009. So much for that prediction.
Fail to make the Chase
Prediction: Clint Bowyer
Bottom line: Nailed it
Next on the agenda was picking a driver who would fail to make the Chase. For this, I looked to the restructured Richard Childress Racing and Clint Bowyer. In 2009 RCR added Casey Mears to its lineup. In doing so, it moved Bowyer out of the No. 7 and into the No. 33. Working with a new crew seemed like too much to overcome for this driver and organization. Bowyer barely made the Chase in 2008 and with all the changes at RCR, I felt it would be too tall of an order. This prediction came to pass. Not only did Bowyer struggle, but RCR as a whole had a dismal year. None of its drivers went to victory lane (not counting the non-points Budweiser Shootout in Daytona that Kevin Harvick won) and none made the Chase. Bowyer actually started the year off well, but by May he had fallen out of the top ten in points, finishing 15th.
Original Story:
http://www.allleftturns.com/sprint-cu...
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