Skirts and Scuffs Predictions: Lacy Keyser chooses the champs

NASCAR is almost here and I’m very excited for 2012. Here are my champion picks for the 2012 NASCAR season.

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs
Camping World Trucks Series: Matt Crafton

I’ve got to say there are many great drivers, but only one really stands out and that is Matt Crafton. I believe Matt Crafton has a great chance of winning the championship this year.

Crafton had an up and down year in 2011, four DNF's really hurt him point wise. I feel that Crafton is going to come back head strong this in 2012. I believe he's going to take that championship and show just how much you can improve in one year.

Nationwide: Cole Whitt


A big part of me wants to say Ricky Stenhouse Jr. but I have to say I do believe that Cole Whitt is going to win the championship. With the equipment that JR Motorsports has, I believe Cole Whitt will shine and prove that a rookie can win the championship. Whitt already has shown he can race, in his first Nationwide race (Phoenix 2010) he finished 15th. Whitt also was the first rookie to ever lead the points in the NCWTS during the 2011 season.

With his new teammate being Dancia Patrick, I believe they both can learn something from each other and possibly even grow to become better racers. I believe that Patrick's fame may even help get Whitt more spotlight in the media and help him to gain an even bigger fan base.

And to the big pick of all..

NASCAR's Sprint Cup Championship: Jimmie Johnson

So many choices, I could go for the obvious pick and choose last year’s champ Tony Stewart, but that's too easy.
Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

I do believe that I will pick a Hendrick driver. My gut just says a Hendrick driver is going to shine this year. But to narrow it down, I am picking Jimmie Johnson and for my dark horse Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Why Jimmie Johnson? For starters in 2005, when Johnson and Knaus lost the championship the duo came back with a fire in their bellies. I feel with losing the 2011 championship Johnson and Knaus are a force to reckon with, beside a relaxed Knaus is something I'd be worried about.

As for my dark horse pick, Dale Jr...

Last year showed that Dale Jr can still race, still contend for races and even make the Chase. This year Earnhardt and crew chief Steve Letarte want to win bad, they want to end that losing streak. With it being 110 races since Earnhardt Jr. has won a race, I say the pressure to win is weighing heavily on the team.

I also believe that since this will be Earnhardt and Letarte's second year together, I feel as if they have what it takes to make something happen. Which is why I'm picking Dale Jr as my dark horse. You never know what will happen when it comes to NASCAR.
Skirts and Scuffs Predictions: Lacy Keyser chooses the champs Skirts and Scuffs Predictions: Lacy Keyser chooses the champs Reviewed by Lacy Page on Thursday, February 16, 2012 Rating: 5