The #48 Car started the season where he left off last year, winning the pole for the 50th running of the Daytona 500. Jimmie Johnson, who was a two-time defending Nextel Cup Champion, looks to join Jeff Gordon, and he is within two more titles of doing that. Could he surpass Gordon? I think he can. He is only 32 and on the up-and-up swing of his career. Johnson is one of the nicest drivers you will ever meet. I had a chance to personally meet him when he was in Bismarck at the Ramkota hotel. He signed a Lowes Chevrolet for me. All signs point to a J.J. year again for NASCAR. He doesn’t have that bad boy image like some fans like NASCAR drivers to have, but instead he has the cool image of a Californian. What makes me think that the driver can win another Sprint Cup? The record speaks for itself. 10 wins at the end of last year. Jimmie is on top of his game. He is unbeatable. The field will be Johnson-dreamin’. Even if he has one bad race at Daytona, just remember NASCAR fans, it’s only one race. Or, will the field be Junior-dreamin’? Rick Hendrick is one of the most dominate car owners. It’s up to anyone to challenge him and build better cars than he has. So far, I haven’t seen any of that challenge. I’m really looking forward to listening to MRN coverage to see if anyone will be able to challenge Hendrick, or will it be a Hendrick 500 again? Look for a gaggle of cars at the front of the field with 15 laps to go. Look for the big one to happen at the back of the pack, or at the front. You are going to see drivers battling all day and losing their temper.
