2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Review

Brad Keselowski Career Paint Schemes

2015 wasn't a bad season for BK (see 2013), but it wasn't the standard we have been seeing lately out of the driver of the Blanco Deuce. BK actually posted a career high in top 10's, and also should have ended the season with more than one win, but almost every driver has times during a given season where they should have won but a ruling (caution) came out and stole it.

It did seem like it happened more often to BK than anyone in 2015, but that's how racing goes. In the end he ended 2015 with just 1 win and 9 top 5's which are both low marks for him lately, meanwhile his teammate Joey Logano was one of the best cars all season.

Ford has changed there car a bit in 2016 and it will be interesting to see how it effects the Penske drivers early on. They have really been the only quality Ford's for the past 3-4 seasons so if they start to falter then Ford is left with no one. 

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• Just like after 2013, I see another big come back season for BK in 2016. Since 2011 he has 16 wins in 180 races, which is a win every 11.25 races. That's not a bad mark to have in your last 5 seasons (he has only raced 6 full time years). I do see another 3-4 wins, 10-13 top 10's, and 20-22 top 10's in 2016 and also for BK to be a legit contender at the end of the season. The key will be making the final four, which I think BK will do.

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2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Review

Carl Edwards Career Paint Schemes

After Matt Kenseth got to JGR a few years ago and dominated and Kevin Harvick did the same at SHR, it felt like Carl Edwards might do the same getting new life with a new team. However, that was not the case when he first stepped into the JGR #19 in 2015.

In fact, he had a very slow start until all of JGR started to take off when Kyle Busch came back from injury. Carl took that momentum and finished the season with 13 top 10's in his last 18 races including a win and all of them being top 15's. 

With his first season at JGR under his belt Carl will look to take that second half momentum and roll it into a more well rounded 2016 season.

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• I really expect Carl to improve upon his 2015 season with JGR and give a better full season performance compared to last year. I think we might see 3 back flips, 8-10 top 5's, and 16-18 top 10's. He should once again easily make the Chase, but might struggle to finish 5th as he did in 2015 because of the nature of the new Chase.

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2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Dale Earnhardt Jr

Dale Earnhardt Jr 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Review

Dale Earnhardt Jr Career Paint Schemes

The Junior revival is in full force. Since 2012 he has turned a page in his career and become a much more balanced and consistent Cup driver. He has wins in three of four of those seasons, at least double digit top 5's in all four, and 20+ top 10's in all four.

In the last two he has put up 4 and 3 wins which has given him his best back to back season's since 2003 and 2004 when he put up 2 wins and 6 wins. 

I think we have now seen the Junior that we will come to expect yearly and continue to see in 2016. 

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• I think Jr moves past the first two rounds again in 2016 (missed it in 2015 and finished 12th), which is the round with 8 drivers left. Once there, I think he will make a push for the finale at Miami, but I do think he will come up short. However, it wont surprise me if he finally makes the final four. I think 2-3 wins, 12-14 top 5's, and 19-21 top 10's are in the cards for Earnhardt, which are all just a bit down from 2015. 

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2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Review

Jimmie Johnson Career Paint Schemes

The past two season's even under the old Chase system Jimmie Johnson wouldn't have won a title, but it still isn't easy for JJ's fans to swallow a 11th and 10th place points finish. Especially considering he has 9 wins, 25 top 5's, and 42 top 10's combined in the last two years.

Those don't sound like down numbers at all. Either way, six time would still be six time no matter the system. 

Looking past that, you have to think one of these years he will make it past the second round and from there he will be a force. Is 2016 the season?

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• As it is every year, JJ's expectations are to win a Championship and nothing less. When you have six titles you always go into a season Championship or bust. The pressure will continue to mount yearly to get to the magic number of 7, and if he ever does it will ramp up to get to 8. I am not sure 8 will ever happen, but 7 should be the main goal anyways. I think 2016 might be the year he finally gets closer to the final four. With 4-5 wins, 14-16 top 5's, and 21-23 top 10's JJ will be back on his game and finally figure out how to get past the second round, and most likely into the final's.

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