In the 2008 Chase, we may have seen a sign of things to come from Roush- Fenway Racing. Veteran Greg Biffle captured back-to-back victories to start NASCAR’s version of the playoffs, Jamie Mc Murray came to life with 4 top 10 finishes in his last 5 starts, David Ragan showed signs of fulfilling his potential throughout 2008, and then there’s that Carl Edwards guy. While rough runs at Talladega and Richmond kept Edwards from challenging Jimmie Johnson for photo finish, with 9 wins in 2008, “Cousin Carl” showed us what he can be.
The 2009 season offers plenty of intrigue in the Roush garage.
There’s probably owner in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing more committed to winning than Roush. I mean no disrespect towards the other guys, but while other owners are out hunting on safari or kicking back on yachts, Roush is a track rat. It seems like the only real issue for the guy I call “The Professor” is which contending driver’s pit box is he going to occupy? It’s obvious by the improved CoT performance that somebody’s been hard at work.
One of the interesting questions for 2009 is what will Matt Kenseth’s season be like. The 
Wisconsin native was shut out of victory lane in 2008, though he contended hard for several possible wins. Kenseth placed 11th in the final standings, an admirable finish considering the ups and downs. Still, the 2003 champion managed 20 top 10s and 9 top 5s. He may very well be the quietest of Roush septet, but that’s Kensethian economics at work. You kind of forget he’s there, and boom! There goes the DeWalt #17 headed for the checkered flag. At this point, Matt Kenseth is not the talk of the track, but to count him out of the mix would be foolishness.
Who’s that guy in the #16? Greg Biffle? Does he still race? “The Biff” came back to life in 2008, finishing 3rd in the points with a pair of victories (New Hampshire,Dover) 12 top 5s, and 17 top 10s. Suddenly, no one is talking about the owner of 14 career wins as the driver most likely to be odd man out when Roush has to cut one team at the end of 2009. There’s no reason to expect he won’t be back for more success in 2009. By capturing a Cup title, Biffle would become the first driver to win championships in all three of NASCAR’s top national touring series.
I wouldn’t count him out.
With Jamie Mc Murray, you have to wonder how it is this guy doesn’t win more than he does. Do you realize Jamie Mac had 3 3rd place finishes at the end of the season? He always qualifies pretty well, his cars are generally set up well, so what’s going on? Donnie Wingo’s presence as crew chief may help. Mc Murray and the veteran pit boss know each other pretty well from their Ganassi days.
Mc Murray is one of those guys just on the cusp of real success. Wingo’s presence may help improve the pit calls and play some part on cutting down the unforced errors that give way to some horrific finishes that were as much a part of Mc Murray’s 2008 season as were the good runs. 9 finishes of 35th or worse are unacceptable for a driver of his caliber. Biffle only finished 35th or worse 3 times, Carl Edwards twice, David Ragan twice.
Speaking of David Ragan, Tony Stewart lauded the 23-year old as the 2008 “Driver of the Year.” Smoke may have overstated Ragan’s performance a bit, but remember, Stewart once chided the young gun as a “dart without feathers.” Ragan made huge strides in 2008, finishing 13th in the points. The Georgian is still seeking his first Cup victory, but he’s just right there with 6 tops 5s and 14 top 10s.
2009 could prove a break-out year for David Ragan.
2008 series victory leader Carl Edwards has staked his
claim as a super star in a fast car. Not only was Edwards 2nd in Cup points, he also gave Clint Bowyer a hard run for the Nationwide championship. The 29-year old won 9 races in 2008, and you can’t help but wonder what may have happened if Edwards hadn’t been docked points for the oil tank lid incident in Las Vegas and if he hadn’t tried a bump draft in the turn at Talladega. If he’s learned anything, it’s that you need near perfection to catch Jimmie Johnson, and if he can do that, we’re in for a spectacular stretch run in 2009.
My heart may be with Mark Martin to win that elusive championship in 2009, but if I’m going with my head instead of my heart, Carl Edwards is the man most likely to unseat Johnson as Series champion.
Jack Roush faces a lot of interesting decisions when this season winds down, but I’d rather be facing the decisions he has, than say, those of Earnhardt- Ganassi or GEM-Petty.
It’s not crazy to think all 5 drivers from this team make the Chase in 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: (Roush- Fenway sign by tequilamike, Kenseth family by Jessi K., Biffle and Mc Murray photos by plstt, Ragan by decostaboy4, Edwards by Walter G. Arce and Roush by metalphantom. More work by these photographers may be found at flickr.com).
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