2017 NASCAR Sprint Cup Headlines

By Richard Tix

A new season means new changes. Which are the biggest changes worth following this NASCAR season? Let's break down some of the biggest headlines as we get this 2017 season started!




2017 Points System

• It seems like every year one of the biggest headlines of the season has something to deal with changes in the points system. Well, 2017 is no different and folks will once again have to learn a new way of looking at things. The plus side? It's a new way for teams to have to attack each race and the season long schedule which should mix up the standings a bit. My biggest question, will the changes help give drivers who had great regular season's gain an advantage in the playoffs? My initial thought's are the new system will help, but time will tell.

Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Carl Edwards all missing in action

• Wait, a season without Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, AND Carl Edwards? Let's not even mention the closer we get to the 500 the more real it becomes that we will also be without Greg Biffle. How are we going to cope without some of the biggest stars of NASCAR in the last 15-20 years? Well, new drivers will enter into the limelight but it will be weird seeing new drivers in the seats of the No. 24, 14, and 19 for 2017.

Daniel Suarez vs Erik Jones in Rookie of the Year

• With Carl Edwards stepping away, JGR brought in Daniel Suarez and his tied partnership with Arris to run in the No. 19. That means two JGR drivers will go head to head for rookie of the year in 2017. Yes, Erik is running on a one year deal with Furniture Row, but don't forget he is still a JGR driver and the No. 77 and 78 are practically 5th and 6th JGR cars. The lower levels keep pumping in more and more talent to the Cup level every year and the latest additions should be fun to watch develop.

Can Jimmie Johnson be Mr. Eight Time?

• Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty hardcore fan's turn away and move onto the next topic on the list. JJ tied both Dale and Petty last season with seven Championships, that is know, but can he now make history and stand alone at eight? If he does, it will be big not only because it's number eight, but because he accomplished it under so many different formats.

SHR's move to Ford

• It was a shock to many when news broke that a team partially owned by Tony Stewart would be leaving Chevy. Heck, I am still a bit shocked and the season is about to start. But, you know what they say, money talks and so does being the focus of a manufacturer. It's now Team Penske and SHR under the Ford camp (yes, I haven't forgotten RFR, etc). The question, how smooth will the move to Ford go early in the season?

Clint Bowyer in the No. 14 for SHR

• Bowyer will move into the No. 14 seat that was left by Tony Stewart at the conclusion of 2016. We knew all this information last season, but what we don't know is if Bowyer will again make any kind of impact on a weekly basis? He brings his big personality along with a big win less streak to SHR to try and turn his career back around in 2017.

New Toyota Camry

• Toyota introduced its 2018 Camry earlier this offseason and at the same time revieled the TRD Camry that will be used in 2017. JGR and Toyota have been on top of there game the past few years so it will be interesting to watch if the new Camry has any affect on their performance. Best bet is we won't notice a thing, but it's always important to watch when any kind of change happens with the best team the previous season.

The return of Dale Earnhardt Jr

• Junior is back and that only means good things for the sport. The hope here is that his health is good to go all season. I've mentioned before that concussions are nothing to mess with and the hope is they do not spring back up in 2017. His return makes sure Jr Nation is fully fixed on the sport again and it's never a bad thing to have one of the faces of your sport actually on the track.