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#00 David Reutimann |
Toyota Camry |
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Michael Waltrip Racing Crew Chief: Rodney Childers Cup 2008: 22nd Daytona 2008: 18th
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Switched cars last year when Dale Jarrett retired, but is back in the No.00 this season
Took pole for the final race of 2008 at Homestead
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#1 Martin Truex Jr |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Crew Chief: Kevin Manion Cup 2008: 15th Daytona 2008: 20th
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Two-time Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion
Last year failed to capitalise on a strong 2007 when he scored his only win to date and beat teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr into the Chase
Starts Daytona 500 from pole position
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#2 Kurt Busch |
Dodge Charger |
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Penske Racing South Crew Chief: Pat Tryson Cup 2008: 18th Daytona 2008: 2nd
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Was NASCAR's bad boy until his brother came along
First Chase champion in 2004 and has been a race winner each season since
Proved he was a team player by pushing former Penske stablemate Ryan Newman to victory at Daytona last year
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#5 Mark Martin |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson Cup 2008: 28th Daytona 2008: 31st
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Returning to a full-time drive for the first time since 2006
Considered a potential title favourite by his rivals, even aged 50
Has his best chance to score elusive Daytona 500 victory in 2009
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#6 David Ragan |
Ford Fusion |
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Roush Fenway Racing Crew Chief: Jimmy Fennig Cup 2008: 13th Daytona 2008: DNF
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Established himself as worthy of a top Cup drive after a shaky start in unpopular rookie outings in 2006
Hungry for first win and a place in the Chase and after just missing out last year
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#07 Casey Mears |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Richard Childress Racing Crew Chief: Gil Martin Cup 2008: 20th Daytona 2008: DNF
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Switched from top team Hendrick to form part of an expanded Childress line-up this year
Took his only win to date in the 2007 Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte
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#7 Robby Gordon |
Toyota Camry |
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Robby Gordon Motorsport Crew Chief: Kirk Almquist Cup 2008: 33rd Daytona 2008: 8th
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An open-wheel convert, used to contest the Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600 on the same weekend
One of the longest serving owner/drivers
Switches from Dodge to Toyota this year
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#8 Aric Almirola |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Crew Chief: Doug Randolph Cup 2008: 42nd Daytona 2008: N/A
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Finally has the car to himself after sharing with Mark Martin last year, but the team might not have the funding for him to complete the season
Took a career best eighth place at Bristol last year, his only top 10 finish to date
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#9 Kasey Kahne |
Dodge Charger |
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Richard Petty Motorsports Crew Chief: Kenny Francis Cup 2008: 14th Daytona 2008: 7th
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Perhaps Dodge's brightest hope heading into the Daytona 500
Clearly has the speed after winning a career-high six races in 2006, but yet to find consistency and missed out on the Chase in the last two years
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#11 Denny Hamlin |
Toyota Camry |
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Joe Gibbs Racing Crew Chief: Mike Ford Cup 2008: 8th Daytona 2008: 17th
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Overshadowed by the arrival of Kyle Busch at Gibbs last year
So far failed to live up to his outstanding rookie season in 2006
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#12 David Stremme |
Dodge Charger |
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Penske Racing South Crew Chief: Roy McCauley Cup 2008: 66th Daytona 2008: N/A
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Raced for Ganassi until 2008 when he became Penske's test driver
Replaces Ryan Newman in the race line-up this year
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#14 Tony Stewart |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Stewart/Haas Racing Crew Chief: Darien Grubb Cup 2008: 9th Daytona 2008: 3rd
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Two-time Cup champion is the last man to win the title before Jimmie Johnson
An often controversial figure, 'The Smoke' has been a fixture in the Chase
Left Gibbs to set up his own team this season and finished third in last weekend's Bud Shootout
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#16 Greg Biffle |
Ford Fusion |
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Roush Fenway Racing Crew Chief: Greg Irwin Cup 2008: 3rd Daytona 2008: 10th
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Regular Chase contender but needs to find a little extra for a title challenge
The only driver in NASCAR history to win Busch and Truck titles
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#17 Matt Kenseth |
Ford Fusion |
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Roush Fenway Racing Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer Cup 2008: 11th Daytona 2008: 36th
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The Chase was introduced after his consistent but uninspiring title-winning season in 2003, when he won just one race
Another Chase regular, but had his first winless season since 2001 last year
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#18 Kyle Busch |
Toyota Camry |
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Joe Gibbs Racing Crew Chief: Steve Addington Cup 2008: 10th Daytona 2008: 4th
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The bad boy, 'Wild Thing' or 'Rowdy' is hated by the fans but plays up to it
Dominated the first part of 2008 but his challenge fell apart in the Chase
Holds the record for most wins in a season across the three main series - Cup, Nationwide and Trucks - with 21
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#19 Elliott Sadler |
Dodge Charger |
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Richard Petty Motorsports Crew Chief: Kevin Buskirk Cup 2008: 24th Daytona 2008: 6th
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Made the first Chase in 2004 but hasn't won a race or come close to the Chase since
Form dipped following a mid-season move from Yates to Evernham in 2006
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#20 Joey Logano |
Toyota Camry |
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Joe Gibbs Racing Crew Chief: Greg Zipadelli Cup 2008: 64th Daytona 2008: N/A
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Labelled the 'best thing since sliced bread' when he burst onto the scene last year aged just 18
Struggled on selected Cup outings with Hall of Fame at the end of 2008
Replaces Tony Stewart at Gibbs this year
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#21 Bill Elliott |
Ford Fusion |
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Wood Brothers Racing Crew Chief: David Hyder Cup 2008: 39th Daytona 2008: DNQ
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1988 champion, 'Awesome Bill from Dawsonville' hasn't raced full-time since 2003
Will only enter select races this season as Wood Brothers reduce their programme
Topped Daytona practice this week
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#24 Jeff Gordon |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief: Steve Letarte Cup 2008: 7th Daytona 2008: DNF
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Four-time champion but hasn't won a title since 2001
2008 was his first winless season since 1993, but claims to be up to speed with Car of Tomorrow after a slow start
Over-shadowed by teammate Johnson since the introduction of the Chase
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#25 Brad Keselowski |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief: Lance McGrew Cup 2008: 57th Daytona 2008: N/A
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Promising rookie, finished third in the Nationwide series last season
Will enter seven races with Hendrick and 10 in Phoenix Racing's No.09 car
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#26 Jamie McMurray |
Ford Fusion |
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Roush Fenway Racing Crew Chief: Donnie Wingo Cup 2008: 16th Daytona 2008: 26th
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Started his career well with a victory as a rookie in 2002, but has only won once since and never made the Chase
Started 2009 strongly in last weekend's non-points shootout, where he was narrowly beaten to victory by Kevin Harvick on the last lap
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#29 Kevin Harvick |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Richard Childress Racing Crew Chief: Todd Berrier Cup 2008: 4th Daytona 2008: 14th
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Won the Daytona 500 in 2007 by pipping Mark Martin right on the line
Won five races back in 2006, but Daytona is his only Cup victory since
Came from nowhere to win last weekend's non-points shootout on the final lap
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#31 Jeff Burton |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Richard Childress Racing Crew Chief: Scott Miller Cup 2008: 6th Daytona 2008: 13th
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A wise campaigner, Burton has won races in each of the last three seasons but is yet to seriously threaten in the Chase
Has a habit of starting the Chase strongly but fading as Johnson and co get going
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#33 Clint Bowyer |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Richard Childress Racing Crew Chief: Shane Wilson Cup 2008: 5th Daytona 2008: 24th
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Switches from No.07 to a new fourth Childress car this year
Has become a Chase regular and won a race in the each of the last two seasons
Beat Carl Edwards to the Nationwide title last year
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#34 John Andretti |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Front Row Motorsports Crew Chief: Steven Lane Cup 2008: 62nd Daytona 2008: 40th
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Has only contested part seasons in recent years and is just confirmed for Daytona so far, but the car's owner points guarantee him a start in the first five races
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#36 Scott Riggs |
Toyota Camry |
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Tommy Baldwin Racing Crew Chief: Tommy Baldwin Cup 2008: 31st Daytona 2008: 21st
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Lost his seat at Haas/CNC following the merger with Tony Stewart's new team
Hopes to contest a full season with Tommy Baldwin Racing, but no sponsor has yet been announced
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#39 Ryan Newman |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Stewart/Haas Racing Crew Chief: Tony Gibson Cup 2008: 17th Daytona 2008: 1st
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Left Penske to join Tony Stewart's team for this season
Regular winner early in his Cup career but endured a slump with Penske in recent years
'The Rocket' won the Daytona 500 in 2008 and is a renowned qualifier
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#41 Jeremy Mayfield |
Toyota Camry |
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Mayfield Motorsports Crew Chief: Tony Furr Cup 2008: 50th Daytona 2008: 23rd
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Made the Chase in the first two years in 2004 and 2005
Hasn't contested a full season since being sacked by Gillett Evernham mid-way through 2006
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#42 Juan Pablo Montoya |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Crew Chief: Brian Pattie Cup 2008: 25th Daytona 2008: 32nd
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Hindered by Ganassi's struggle to make the Car of Tomorrow competitive
Didn't add to his rookie win at Sears Point in 2007
Could benefit from the team's switch to Chevrolet this year
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#43 Reed Sorenson |
Dodge Charger |
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Richard Petty Motorsports Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett Cup 2008: 32nd Daytona 2008: 5th
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Switches from Ganassi to the merged Petty/GEM team
Yet to break into the top 20 in the standings in three full seasons of the Cup
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#44 AJ Allmendinger |
Dodge Charger |
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Richard Petty Motorsports Crew Chief: Sammy Johns Cup 2008: 36th Daytona 2008: DNQ
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Former Champ Car race winner, dropped by the Red Bull team last year after two disappointing seasons in the Cup
Started the season with a strong run to fifth in last weekend's shootout
His season consists of first eight races plus other Daytona for now
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#47 Marcos Ambrose |
Toyota Camry |
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JTG Daugherty Racing Crew Chief: Frank Kerr Cup 2008: 45th Daytona 2008: N/A
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Double Australian V8 Touring Car champion
Finished third at Watkins Glen last season in only his third Cup race
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#48 Jimmie Johnson |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief: Chad Knaus Cup 2008: 1st Daytona 2008: 27th
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Reigning triple champion has dominated the Cup for the last three years
Chemistry with crew chief Chad Knaus means he can never be discounted from victory no matter where he starts
Aiming to become the first man in history to win four Cup titles in a row
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#55 Michael Waltrip |
Toyota Camry |
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Michael Waltrip Racing Crew Chief: Robert Barker Cup 2008: 29th Daytona 2008: 29th
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Has won the Daytona 500 twice but never finished in the top 10 in the standings, despite contesting every season since 1986
Has not reached the same level of competitiveness since becoming a team owner two years ago
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#77 Sam Hornish Jr |
Dodge Charger |
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Penske Racing South Crew Chief: Travis Geisler Cup 2008: 35th Daytona 2008: 15th
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Three-time IndyCar champion had a tough rookie season in NASCAR in 2008, battling to stay in the top 35
Has insisted he will stick at NASCAR and not return to open-wheel racing
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#78 Regan Smith |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Furniture Row Racing Crew Chief: Jay Guy Cup 2008: 34th Daytona 2008: 37th
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The Cup's Rookie of the Year in 2008
Hasn't got a full-time drive this year following DEI's merger with Ganassi
Missed out on a famous win at Talladega last year when he was judged to have passed Tony Stewart under the yellow line on the final turn
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#82 Scott Speed |
Toyota Camry |
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Red Bull Racing Crew Chief: Jimmy Elledge Cup 2008: 55th Daytona 2008: N/A
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Much is expected of the Formula One refugee in his first full NASCAR season
Made six Cup appearances in the Red Bull team at the end of 2008 and qualified second for the final race at Homestead
Lost last year's ARCA title at the last race
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#83 Brian Vickers |
Toyota Camry |
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Red Bull Racing Crew Chief: Ryan Pemberton Cup 2008: 19th Daytona 2008: 12th
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Stronger second season with Red Bull in 2008, including a pole a Michigan
Took his only Cup win to date in controversial circumstances by wrecking Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr on the final lap at Talladega
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#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr |
Chevrolet Impala |
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Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief: Tony Eury Jr Cup 2008: 12th Daytona 2008: 9th
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Son of NASCAR legend is the fans' favourite
Expected to challenge for the title this year after settling in at Hendrick in 2008
Started Hendrick career by winning the shootout last year, but didn't have the momentum to challenge in the Chase
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#96 Bobby Labonte |
Ford Fusion |
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Hall of Fame Racing Crew Chief: Todd Parrott Cup 2008: 21st Daytona 2008: 11th
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Cup champion in 2000, but hasn't won a race since 2003
Left Petty Enterprises for Hall of Fame at the end of last season
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#98 Paul Menard |
Ford Fusion |
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Yates Racing Crew Chief: Larry Carter Cup 2008: 26th Daytona 2008: 22nd
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Yet to finish in the top 25 in the standings after two full seasons with DEI
Moves from DEI to Yates for 2009
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#99 Carl Edwards |
Ford Fusion |
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Roush Fenway Racing Crew Chief: Bob Osborne Cup 2008: 2nd Daytona 2008: 19th
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Johnson's closest challenger
'Cousin Carl' would have won the 2008 title on full season's points
Expected to lead Roush's challenge, has a reputation for winning fuel economy races, but is fast everywhere
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