12. #99 Carl Edwards- He really needs to bounce back after having a winless and rough 2012, I see baby steps for the man that just 2 seasons ago lost the championship on a tiebreaker
11. #29 Kevin Harvick- Well Harvick wants to leave RCR with a bang. I just don't see that happening. Maybe a couple strong months during the regular season but when it starts to focus on the Chase and moving on without Harvick, the team will sink.
10. #11 Denny Hamlin- With Kenseth being added to JGR, it seems like Hamlin might be playing 3rd fiddle for the team despite him being the best guy on the team for some time now.
9. #15 Clint Bowyer- 2012 was a career year for Bowyer and MWR for that matter. In 2013 things will be brought back down to earth for the team.
8. #18 Kyle Busch- I think last season proved it to me, Kyle Busch is a talented driver but with his attitude will never propel him to a championship. You will see in the first 26 races and think that he proved me wrong, but when the pressure starts look for Busch to fade from the mix once again.
7. #24 Jeff Gordon- Gordon closed out the 2012 season on a strong note after it started out disastrous. There won't be any nail biting moments for Gordon getting in the Chase this year.
6. #5 Kasey Kahne- His first season with Hendrick started out pretty shaky, but ended up with a top 5 finish in the point standings, I see Kahne struggling less but in the end not quite equal the finish to last year.
5. #88 Dale Earnhardt- Last year would of been a true rebounding year for Earnhardt Jr. but the concussion he suffered put a damper on that. Now he loves how the Gen 6 car drives and I look for him to bounce back to the Jr. of old.
4. #14 Tony Stewart- Last year Stewart seemed to struggle a bit after winning the championship back in 2011. I think this can be blamed as an adjustment period with new crew chief Steve Addington, look for them to work out the kinks and have a stronger 2013 season.
3. #20 Matt Kenseth- After leaving the only team he has ever know in his Sprint Cup career, Kenseth joins the stable at Gibbs. I look for a honeymoon period for Kenseth and will seriously contend for the title.
2. #2 Brad Keselowski- The 2012 Champion will look to defend his title. He will have to battle out Jimmie Johnson for the chance to win his second title. I think he will fall short but it will form a rivalry that NASCAR so desperately craves.
1. #48 Jimmie Johnson- It's really hard to bet against Jimmie Johnson when there is a new learning curve presented to the drivers. The Gen 6 car is just that learning curve! I see Johnson struggle a bit at first but once it's time to get serious the #48 team will get things figured out and win their 6th championship.
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