For the first time in at least 4-5 years it feels like we are getting some respect heading into a season. No one would ever confuse the drivers we've had in the last five years as guys who were capable of running at or near the top. No one thought that we were an organization who could run with the big boys (I agree with that), but that is changing:
Ford's likely top five for 2010
By Brant James - Special Correspondent
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010
Looking at the approaching 2010 Cup season, here are the top-five picks for Ford:
1. Carl Edwards: Which is the aberration? Is it the nine wins, 19 top-fives, a second-place points finish and smooth ride in 2008? Or is it no wins, seven top-5s, 11th in points and a glide into a catch fence in 2009?
The latter. He'll be back.
2. Kasey Kahne: The one-time Ford prospect comes home after six inconsistent seasons with inconsistent Dodge's Evernham/Gillett/Petty organization(s). His two victories last year were half of Dodge's total and he might be ready for another breakout season.
3. Matt Kenseth: The 2003 Cup champion looked like a stallion and rookie crew chief Drew Blickensderfer a genius after winning the first two races of 2009. The next 34 races were not so fun as Kenseth missed the Chase for the first time.
It'll be more fun this season just watching Kenseth shill for Crown Royal.
4. Greg Biffle: His streak of seasons with a victory was snapped at six, he dropped to seventh in the standings from third, but the 40-year-old former Truck series and Nationwide champ remained a dependable commodity in need of a kick in the Chase.
He should remain so in 2010.
5. A.J. Allmendinger: Results stagnated after he wound up third in the Daytona 500, but he finished 10th twice and 13th in the final three races of 2009 in a Ford. The former CART standout has 80 Cup starts, so if he's going to make the Montoya mutation, it's about time.
And the 43 is due.
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