Monday, January 4, 2010

Who's going to be 2010's breakout star?

Welcome to 2010! At this writing, Daytona is barely 40 days away -- gotta love those short offseasons -- and thus we turn our eyes to the season ahead. NASCAR doesn't have a whole lot of turnover at its highest ranks -- the top drivers of 2004 looked a whole lot like the top drivers of 2009, for instance -- but every year, someone steps up and makes a fine impression on the sport and the fans. Last year it was Juan Pablo Montoya, finally capitalizing on years of promise to become one of the top drivers in 2009. So who's the 2010 version of Montoya? The possibilities include:

David Reutimann: An untimely spin by Denny Hamlin late in the '09 season cost him any chance at a Chase berth, but Reutimann has steadily and sharply progressed in his first few seasons. And with reliable competitor Martin Truex Jr. as a teammate, he can count on more protection and assistance than before. Breakout odds: 4-1.

Marcos Ambrose: Road-course warrior and fast becoming an oval-course challenger, everybody's favorite Aussie racer could bust through once and for all this year and make the Chase at last. Breakout odds: 5-1.

Jamie McMurray: He's got talent -- winning last year's Talladega monstrosity is proof of that -- but how will he fare in new equipment? Was Roush holding him up, or holding him back? Breakout odds: 10-1. 

AJ Allmendinger: Whenever he's gotten the chance to run in short bursts, he's run well. Now he takes over the 43 car, where he'll get all the opportunities he can handle. The pressure to find a ride is off; the pressure to handle a ride is on. Breakout odds: 20-1.

Joey Logano: His rookie year was strong -- by rookie standards. He proved he could hang with the pack, but can he get ahead of it? Jury's still out. Breakout odds: 25-1.

Scott Speed: Yes, we get it -- you're a Red Bull rebel who plays by his own rules. Time to include "winning" in those rules. Breakout odds: 50-1.

Jeremy Mayfield: New year, new beginnings? Yes? Maybe? Breakout odds: 1 million-1.

And now it's your turn. Make your call -- who's your pick for 2010's breakout star?

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