Heading into the 2012 season, all eyes are on Sprint Cup Champion team Stewart-Haas Racing. After only three years of existance, this team earned a championship.
The reason, the right people were in the right positions and they used the right equipment. It also didn't hurt that the right drivers were behind the wheel. Sure, going into the 2009 season there were questions as to what success level this team would have, but there was no way to expect this team to have a championship so quickly.
At the same time, going into last year's Chase, this organization wasn't even on the radar to win the title, but certainly made it clear they were the team to beat.
In a way, what was accomplished in 2011 may never be equaled in years to come. But one thing is for certain, the bulls-eye is squarely on them this season.
Let's take a look at the field of cars coming out of the SHR garage for 2012.
TONY STEWART: Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
What more can be said about the lead driver of his own team. Last year, he threw down gauntlets at his own team heading into the last 10 races, and the team responded. He then threw down the gauntlet to his closest challenger, Carl Edwards, to hold him off for the championship.
It came down to a tie in points. However, Stewart's five wins in the Chase took more meaning over Edwards' one win all season, securing his third championship, and second in the Chase era.
If Edwards had to worry about Stewart during the last few races of the season, one can only imagine how this team will come out in 2012. The addition of crew chief Steve Addington could very well be one of the biggest, and smartest, moves for Stewart in the off-season. That's not to say that Darian Grubb wasn't the right man last year, but Addington brings a deep knowledge, and he gets to work with an old-school driver.
That could be just the ticket to make Stewart a two-time defending champion in NASCAR.
RYAN NEWMAN: U.S. Army/Haas Automation/Tornadoes Chevrolet
Often forgotten about during last year was Stewart's teammate, Ryan Newman. Let's not forget, he took the win at New Hampshire after starting on pole. Not too mention, that entire weekend Stewart and he held off the competition, starting 1-2 and finishing 1-2.
At the same time, Newman has been the quiet driver of the organization, just seems to be there when it matters the most.
Newman returns to the seat he's held the last three seasons, and is itching to make another strong run in 2012. It wouldn't surprise anyone if "Rocket Man" decided to make the Chase once again.
DANICA PATRICK: GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
Everyone is unsure if this move is exactly right for a driver that is just now going full-time in the Nationwide Series. Why moonlight in a handful of Sprint Cup races when after just two part-time seasons, one is electing to drive a full year of competition?
Is it money? Exposure? Opportunity?
In a way, it can be all three, because Patrick certainly knows how to draw a crowd, and bring in the sponsors. The former Indy Car sensation has competed part-time in the Nationwide Series the last two years, getting her career-best fourth place finish last season at Las Vegas. Now, she decides to go full-time as part of JR Motorsports. But, the deal also included some Sprint Cup races as part of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Her season is hopeful to begin at Daytona as she will try to qualify for the "Great American Race" and has since made it known she will skip trying to make the Indy 500 and instead head to Charlotte to try and run the Coca-Cola 600.
Her expectations for the Sprint Cup Series aren't exactly high, unlike hers in the Nationwide Series, but will for sure be fun to watch.
The next season preview will be a team that for the second year in a row will be experiencing some changes within, Richard Petty Motorsports.
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