The preseason is upon us. Teams are finishing up the final touches to their test cars and getting ready to head out and get their first laps of the season. Sure, Daytona is still over a month away, but you know fans, and drivers as well, are getting more and more excited as the days pass by until Speedweeks. So our Christmas present to you guys, these rankings. Gift wrapped and almost 100% guaranteed to be wrong once the season ends. But hey, at least it's something, am I right? Here are your top-5 drivers, your rookie, and your sleeper to watch for 2013.
And here...we....go...
1.) Theodore Petersen- #8 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet
Who can bet against the Champ? Theodore Petersen has been a legitimate threat ever since stepping foot in a stock car and he only solidified his SuperStar status with a championship season last year. Can he repeat? Only time, and fate, will tell. No number and sponsor change are gone keep this man down, look for the newly-numbered #8 team up front early and often.
2.) John Mackereth- #51 Trojan Dodge
John Mack, the short track master. Or at least, that's what his runs last year suggested. Wins at North Wilkesboro and Flemington, along with a top 5 at Bristol, showed that no one could match the #51 at the shorties. If John can move that success across the board, then the #51 will be hard to beat.
3.) Daniel Asher- #26 GameStop Honda
Dan Asher had a tale of two seasons. The first 6-7 races, he was dismal, and could barely string together a decent run. After a top 5 at Riki during the all-star race, everything changed. Asher lit up the track collecting 3 top 5's and a win in the last 5 races of the season. If Asher can keep the momentum going, 2013 can be a great year for Asher and the first-year Honda program.
4.) John Hooper, Sr.- #2 Canadian Tire Chevrolet
Yes, Hooper had a shit-tastic, for lack of a better term, 2012. But we know that one season doesn't define a career, as Hooper has shown us time and time again. Hooper can and most likely WILL bounce back, and rejuvenate a Fearless Motorsport program that has been floundering as of late. We at CSN believe that 2013 is the year Hooper comes back and lives up to the 'Dominator' nickname.
5.) Matt Mongillo- #31 Guitar Center Chevrolet
Mongillo had a fantastic season in 2012, despite not capturing any wins. Bunches of top 5's and top 10's, bunches of laps led, and even getting booted from his former team near the end of the season couldn't derail this phenom from capturing the 2012 Holley EFI Rookie of the Year award. Can Mongillo live up to the potential for a second year, and his first running every race? Most likely, as his equipment is coming from the same who produced the Champion's.
Honorable Mention:
6.) Tim Kunkel- #15 Spy Chevrolet
7.) Eric Mackereth- #24 Nike Ford
8.)Roger Sandri- #32 Hemming's Ford
9.) Carl Robinson- #40 Dodge
10.) Will Meyers, #73 NAPA Dodge
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2013: Daniel Ruppel- #41 West Chevrolet
Why did we pick Ruppel as our favorite for ROTY Honors in 2013? Because his limited starts in Winston Cup at the end of 2012 showed significant promise. In an un-sponsored car, Ruppel ran very well at Martinsville and texas, and even had a top-5 going at Watkins Glen before a wreck ended his chances. Now with full-time sponsorship from West and technical support from Fearless Motorsports and Hooper Racing Engines, Ruppel has the tools he needs to not only make a serious run at the ROTY award, but also the championship.
SLEEPER PICK FOR 2013: Zach Holcombe- #13 DuPont Chevrolet
So, Holcombe. His runs in 2012 were either extremely great (3rd at Tally, Win at Texas, 4th at Martinsville) or absolutely horrid. Which is why he's our sleeper. If he can correct the bad runs, he can be a serious contender, almost an overhwelming favorite. If not, then it will be a tough season for the #13 crew.
And here...we....go...
1.) Theodore Petersen- #8 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet
Who can bet against the Champ? Theodore Petersen has been a legitimate threat ever since stepping foot in a stock car and he only solidified his SuperStar status with a championship season last year. Can he repeat? Only time, and fate, will tell. No number and sponsor change are gone keep this man down, look for the newly-numbered #8 team up front early and often.
2.) John Mackereth- #51 Trojan Dodge
John Mack, the short track master. Or at least, that's what his runs last year suggested. Wins at North Wilkesboro and Flemington, along with a top 5 at Bristol, showed that no one could match the #51 at the shorties. If John can move that success across the board, then the #51 will be hard to beat.
3.) Daniel Asher- #26 GameStop Honda
Dan Asher had a tale of two seasons. The first 6-7 races, he was dismal, and could barely string together a decent run. After a top 5 at Riki during the all-star race, everything changed. Asher lit up the track collecting 3 top 5's and a win in the last 5 races of the season. If Asher can keep the momentum going, 2013 can be a great year for Asher and the first-year Honda program.
4.) John Hooper, Sr.- #2 Canadian Tire Chevrolet
Yes, Hooper had a shit-tastic, for lack of a better term, 2012. But we know that one season doesn't define a career, as Hooper has shown us time and time again. Hooper can and most likely WILL bounce back, and rejuvenate a Fearless Motorsport program that has been floundering as of late. We at CSN believe that 2013 is the year Hooper comes back and lives up to the 'Dominator' nickname.
5.) Matt Mongillo- #31 Guitar Center Chevrolet
Mongillo had a fantastic season in 2012, despite not capturing any wins. Bunches of top 5's and top 10's, bunches of laps led, and even getting booted from his former team near the end of the season couldn't derail this phenom from capturing the 2012 Holley EFI Rookie of the Year award. Can Mongillo live up to the potential for a second year, and his first running every race? Most likely, as his equipment is coming from the same who produced the Champion's.
Honorable Mention:
6.) Tim Kunkel- #15 Spy Chevrolet
7.) Eric Mackereth- #24 Nike Ford
8.)Roger Sandri- #32 Hemming's Ford
9.) Carl Robinson- #40 Dodge
10.) Will Meyers, #73 NAPA Dodge
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2013: Daniel Ruppel- #41 West Chevrolet
Why did we pick Ruppel as our favorite for ROTY Honors in 2013? Because his limited starts in Winston Cup at the end of 2012 showed significant promise. In an un-sponsored car, Ruppel ran very well at Martinsville and texas, and even had a top-5 going at Watkins Glen before a wreck ended his chances. Now with full-time sponsorship from West and technical support from Fearless Motorsports and Hooper Racing Engines, Ruppel has the tools he needs to not only make a serious run at the ROTY award, but also the championship.
SLEEPER PICK FOR 2013: Zach Holcombe- #13 DuPont Chevrolet
So, Holcombe. His runs in 2012 were either extremely great (3rd at Tally, Win at Texas, 4th at Martinsville) or absolutely horrid. Which is why he's our sleeper. If he can correct the bad runs, he can be a serious contender, almost an overhwelming favorite. If not, then it will be a tough season for the #13 crew.