Man, it’s a good thing the NASCAR off-season is short. Fans are going crazy with speculation over what the NEXT season holds in store. We’ll be getting used to new names (Sprint will take over sponsorship at the Cup level, while Nationwide takes over the namesake for the the second tier series from Busch), and we’ll be seeing lots of familiar faces in new places. I won’t get too crazy with reckless prognostications about what I see happening in 2008, but I am certain of the following:

Junior Revival- Dale Earnhardt, recently voted NASCAR’s most popular driver for the fifth year in a row, will give something for his fans to cheer about in the new year. The move to Hendrick Motorsports gives Junior a fresh start after a particularly frustrating 2007 season with a truckload of engine failures and off the track distractions. Junior raced his tail off in the latter stages of the season, but you could tell he was pressing and his demeanor was de-pressing.

It’s also no secret that the move to Hendrick provides Earnhardt the best equipment and resources in the business. Their 2007 performance provides ample evidence that the Hendrick got the jump on the Car of Tomorrow. Add to that the spirit of teamwork that Rick Hendrick has instilled in his organization, and one can see why better things are expected of NASCAR’s favorite son. These guys simply have their act together, and the winning ways of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon will rub off on Earnhardt.

I predict a minimum of 3 wins for the #88 Mt. Dew/Amp Chevrolet in 2008 and a spot in the Chase.

The Joe Gibbs Team Won’t Miss A Beat- A lot has been made of Joe Gibbs’ announced switch to Toyota from Chevrolet. Toyota endured a rough debut in 2007, as Toyota drivers not only struggled to run well, they struggled to even get in the race! These ill fortunes have left may questioning the wisdom of JGR making such a move, especially when one considers that their star driver, Tony Stewart, has had a long standing alliance with Chevrolet in some of his personal business pursuits.

I say both sides knew what they were getting into when they signed the papers. Gibbs knows that a disastrous 2008 campaign would mark the end of their affiliation with Stewart, who’s up for contract renewal. Toyota is also well aware that their credibility within the sport is at stake. We Don’t know all of what was said behind closed doors, but I am quite sure that J.D. Gibbs was given replete assurances from the Japan-based manufacturer that they would spare no expense in becoming more competitive with their engines.

You know what? I think  they will. I predict that at least two Gibbs drivers will make the Chase: most likely Stewart and Kyle Busch. I wouldn’t discount Denny Hamlin either. Between the three JGR drivers, I predict a minimum of seven wins.

All you have to do is look at how Toyota has performed in the Craftsman Truck Series to know how they develop. They went from being a punch line to powerful in relatively short order. Going with Gibbs gives Toyota a top flight organization to work with, something that was missing in 2007, with all apologies to start up teams like Red Bull and Michael Waltrip, and a reportedly cash-strapped team like Bill Davis.

This alliance will produce…..because it must.

The Open Wheel Invasion Will Be Inconsequential- If the conclusion of the recently concluded season is any indication, there will be many struggles ahead for open-wheel drivers converting to NASCAR. Of the group, I really only see Sam Hornish enjoying any great success as he has the backing of a top team like Penske.

Dario Franchitti may be enjoy some success as he has the guidance of another former Indy car driver (Juan Pablo Montoya) at Chip Ganassi at draw from. As much as I like Jacques Villanueve and Patrick Carpentier, I think they will have equipment and team related issues to deal with on top of a learning curve.

The Hendrick Dominance Will End- Though I expect wins from the four car team at Hendrick, I think the other teams will catch up to HMS. Jack Roush racer Matt Kenseth looked VERY good at the end of 2007 and Carl Edwards also enjoyed a stellar, if uneven 2007 campaign. Ray Evernham’s group will also improve. His partnership with Gillette will enable the former Jeff Gordon Crew Chief to focus on what does best: work on building a winning car. This means good things for Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and Patrick Carpentier.

The Chase?- I predict these guys will make the chase (in no particular order): Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya will ALL make the Big Twelve.

Yes- Jeff Gordon will not make the Chase, though he will win 2-3 races.

If I had to hazard a guess for a champion? It will come down to the younger Busch, Junior, Stewart or maybe even Edwards or Bowyer.

O.K.- I’ll go out on a limb here- Tony Stewart will be the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion.

Now I’ve done it. So much for playing it safe.

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