NATIONWIDE SERIES PREVIEW: Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski head list of top 25 Nationwide Series drivers, set to battle for series title
Jason Leffler is the best hope to win the Nationwide Series title among Nationwide regulars. // Ivan Veldhuizen, NASCAR Illustrated
Could this be the year that a Nationwide Series regular upends a Sprint Cup driver for the Nationwide Series title?
The last four Nationwide championships have been won by drivers pulling double-duty – Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch.
This year, only three drivers will compete for major organizations in both series – Roush Fenway Racing’s Edwards, Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski and Richard Petty Motorsports’ Paul Menard, who is driving for Roush Fenway in Nationwide.
Maybe that will leave an opening for someone such as Braun Racing’s Jason Leffler, who was fourth last year but still 1,152 points behind Edwards.
“You can do it,” Leffler said. “I think back on the mistakes that I made last year and the mistakes that we had with the race car – if we get rid of all those then we’re a lot closer than we were.
“[Crew chief] Scott Zipadelli has made a lot of improvements to our cars over the winter, some personnel changes that I think will help and we’ve got one more season under our belt. I think we can contend for it.”
A non-Cup driver might have a chance, but Edwards and Keselowski head the list of the top 25 Nationwide drivers going into the season.
1. Carl Edwards
With 20 victories and having finished first or second in points each of the last four years, Edwards is the favorite to win the title in 2010 (he won it in 2007). The most impressive stat from last year was not his seven poles, but his 23 top-fives and 30 top-10 finishes.
2. Brad Keselowski
Keselowski is with a new team in Penske Racing, and his focus might be on his Sprint Cup ride, but he has the most experience – especially winning experience – among those who could challenge Edwards. He also has an experienced crew chief in Paul Wolfe.
3. Justin Allgaier
Allgaier hasn’t won yet in Nationwide, but the 2008 ARCA champion was sixth in points as a rookie last year as part of a single-car team. With Keselowski as a teammate, he will be a threat.
4. Colin Braun
This might be reaching a little high for the rookie, but Braun has improved considerably in his two years in the Truck series. Plus Roush Fenway Racing is one of the two best organizations in the series, and that should help.
5. Jason Leffler
Leffler was third in points 2007, ninth in 2008 and fourth in 2009. Of all the drivers not affiliated with Cup teams, Leffler's is the strongest, thanks in part to his team's Toyota partnership. Leffler has found a home in the series, and he's a good bet to score his first win since 2007.
6. Brendan Gaughan – Veteran Brad Parrott is the crew chief; Rusty Wallace Racing affiliated with JGR.
7. Paul Menard – Running full season for Roush Fenway as another double-duty driver.
8. Brian Scott – Running full time for Braun Racing; Billy Wilburn is crew chief.
9. Kelly Bires – Will miss Daytona because of Danica Patrick but will be strong when gets in seat.
10. Michael Annett – Eighth as a rookie at Germain Racing, will look to improve in 2010.
11. James Buescher – Owner James Finch wants wins; Buescher will be good but that good?
12. Steve Wallace – Steadily improved from 19th to 14th to 7th in points the last three years.
13. Trevor Bayne – Not intimidated by veteran drivers, rookie should challenge for top 10.
14. Jason Keller – Tri-Star Motorsports is back and with a veteran driver.
15. John Wes Townley – Driving for RCR will help, but Townley is still young and learning.
16. Kyle Busch – 2009 champ not running full season but will have plenty of wins.
17. Michael McDowell – Will run middle of the pack and strong in non-companion events.
18. Kenny Wallace – Should be able to run full season with Jay Robinson Racing.
19. Parker Kligerman – If he runs full schedule for Team 42 Racing, he will be respectable.
20. Josh Wise – Wise gets another chance to show if he can make transition from open-wheel.
21. Eric McClure – He was 17th in the standings last year despite season-best finish of 16th at Las Vegas.
22. Kevin Harvick - Will win during his partial schedule for KHI.
23. Scott Lagasse Jr. - Running full season for Baker Curb Racing.
24. Mike Wallace - Driving for JD Motorsports, Wallace stays in the game.
25. Brian Keselowski - The older of the Keselowski boys owns his ride.
