And then there were four… As the haulers roll into Homestead it’s time to predict just WHO will be the 2014 NASCAR champion. I’m about to tell you as I countdown four to one…
4-Ryan Newman
Newman is the controversial man amongst the four. He is yet to win a race in 2014 and has earned his place purely through consistency. He has reguarly gained good finishes throughout the year and in the chase particuarly both him and his entire team have raised their game even more. He confirmed his place due to a controversial move that put Kyle Larson into the wall on the last lap at Phoenix, moving Brad Keselowski to speak up in support of Newman as he rightly stated it was no worse than his own move on Jeff Gordon at Texas. I don’t think many fans could stomach a winless champion although there is a school of thought that says a Newman win would force NASCAR to tinker with the chase rules. If he should win at Homestead then yes he is a worthy champion in my view however I do feel his luck will run out and I take him to finish 4th.
3-Joey Logano
The driver I hope wins it and most deserves to as he has gained the most wins during the year. He will have team-mate Keselowski helping him out and in general Penske have been the best car throughout the season. It would be a big positive for NASCAR to crown a new young champion and it would confirm Mark Martin’s prediction of 2007. However I just have a feeling Penske are not quite the force they were in the last couple of races so sadly I have Logano in 3rd.
2-Kevin Harvick
Always the dark horse he has hit form at the perfect time of the year. His car, frankly, is flying at the moment and Harvick is arguably driving better than ever before during the chase. There is a lot Johnson-esque in the way Harvick and his team have hit form when it really matters and lest we forget Stewart Haas Racing know what it entails to win a championship. His huge fanbase will be willing him on all the way but I just have a feeling he will have to settle with runner-up. His car is mighty quick but throughout the year things have gone wrong towards the end of races. For that reason I cannot pick Harvick.
1-Denny Hamlin (champion)
So Denny Hamlin is my pick to be the 2014 Sprint Cup Champion….Denny has had an inner belief since Chicagoland that he will win it and as time has gone on I’ve seen nothing to argue that prediction. He does of course have the advantage of a crew chief who knows what it takes to win a championship in Darian Grubb who took Tony Stewart to glory in 2011. As then, there are rumours abound that Grubb may be standing down from leading Hamlin’s crew and if you add into the mix that it’s about time Toyota and Gibbs won a championship together they are very important factors. Hamlin has rode his luck more than any other chase driver and luck is a huge part of any champion’s makeup. Putting all these things in the pot together I cannot see past Hamlin for my pick as champion.
Everybody will have their own view but Denny Hamlin has been through an awful lot of bad luck since he finished runner-up to Jimmie Johnson in 2010. I don’t think too many people would complain if Denny finally had his bit of glory.
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