NASCAR: Drivers that will see Victory Lane in 2012

Feb 5, 2012 by Jim DEletto

The 2011 season saw 18 drivers get to the winners circle, which was a lot considering the history of the previous years in the Sprint Cup. The 2010 and 2011 season only saw 13 different drivers enter victory lane. With the 2012 season on the horizon, let’s take a look at which drivers will see victory lane in the upcoming season and at which race tracks the wins could occur.

Carl Edwards – With one win and five runner-up finishes in 2011, it is no doubt Cousin Carl will take a checkered or two in 2012. Look for Carl to reign supreme at Vegas, Texas, Michigan, Dover, Pocono and Homestead.

Jimmie Johnson - With only two wins in 2011, in comparison to prior years, this was a down year for Johnson. We should look for him to get back to his winning ways in 2012 at tracks like Las Vegas, Fontana, Dover, Charlotte, Martinsville and Kansas.

Denny Hamlin - With just one win midseason in 2011, look for Hamlin to rebound in 2012 with possible champagne celebrations at races that include Martinsville, Richmond, Pocono, Atlanta and Loudon.

Tony Stewart - The 2011 champion had five wins in the last 10 races in his championship year, after going winless in the regular season. Smoke will continue his winning ways in 2012 with possible burnouts at Texas, Martinsville, Chicago, Watkins Glen, Atlanta and Daytona.

Jeff Gordon -  broke back into the winning scene in 2011 by taking three races throughout the year. Gordon should continue his success in 2012 with possible wins at tracks like Watkins Glen, Kansas, Darlington and Loudon.

Kevin Harvick - Tallying four wins in 2011, Kevin Harvick will continue his success in 2012 with possible wins at Richmond, Martinsville, Fontana and Indianapolis. I would not be surprised if he picked up one on a road course.

Kyle Busch – With four wins in 2011 for the wild card, look for Kyle to be in contention in a lot of races in 2012. Look for those signature checkered flag bows on top of the No. 18 car at tracks like Dover, Kentucky, Bristol, Richmond and possibly a restrictor plate track.

Brad Keselowski - The up and coming racer surprised the Sprint Cup scene in 2011 with three wins. The aggressive-driving Keselowski should be in contention for some wins at Talladega, Kansas, Bristol and Kentucky.

Kasey Kahne – Moving to top equipment in 2012, Kasey Kahne will be running up front at the cookie cutter tracks he is always so good at, which include Charlotte, Texas, Kansas, Atlanta and now Phoenix.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 2011 was a turnaround season for Junior, placing in the Top 10 in points for most of the year. Despite not making it to victory lane in 2011, we saw many close ones for Junior. It seems the combination of Letarte and Junior is working. We could see more progress in 2012 with getting Dale Jr. back to winning at his normal threats of Richmond, Martinsville, Talladega and Daytona.

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