Lacy Keyser chooses the 2014 NASCAR champs

Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs  

The old saying, "Out with the old and in with new," is what the 2014 NASCAR season feels like. A new Chase format has rocked NASCAR Nation. Many fans are on the fence about it, and who can blame them? This is a big change.

With that being said, it’s that time of the year again where I pick my champions for the Nationwide and Cup series.

Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs

Nationwide

I’m once again picking Regan Smith for the Nationwide champion. To me, Smith had a breakout season with Junior Motorsports in 2013. He had two wins and was the points leader for most of the season, but due to a few bad races he finished third in the standings.

I’m also picking a dark horse: Chase Elliott. We know he can race, we know he’s a winner, so I feel he is one to watch out for. He may just be the one to have a break-out year in Nationwide.  

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

Sprint Cup

I picked Dale Earnhardt Jr. last year and I’m picking him again.

Earnhardt Jr. was on fire in 2013. He finished in the top five in half of the Chase races and three of those were second-place finishes. He may have had an engine blow in the first Chase race, but that didn't stop Earnhardt Jr. from having his best season finish since 2006.

With crew chief Steve Letarte leaving after this season, he has even more on the line, which means getting that championship! 

Under the new Chase format, Earnhardt Jr. would have been the 2013 champion, so I feel he can once again have a fiery Chase like last year. Let’s make Letarte’s final season go out with a bang!