Kurt Busch drives the No. 51 for Phoenix Racing during testing at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Phoenix Racing

Phoenix Racing has long been a team expected to contend on restrictor-plate tracks annually. This year, though, the expectations and attention surrounding the season are amplified as 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch joins the organization. Busch and crew chief Nick Harrison will need to meld quickly and find a way to handle the intense media and fan scrutiny as Busch adjusts to working within the framework of a single-car team. But with Hendrick Motorsports equipment, and Busch’s dedication to putting fun back into his racing career, this team should improve dramatically from the start and contend for wins on a variety of tracks. If things come together quickly for this group, anything is possible in 2012. — Rea White

Richard Childress Racing

If there’s one NASCAR organization that’s ramping up for the future, it’s RCR. The acquisition of Kevin Harvick Inc. strengthens the organization’s foundation, plus alleviates the responsibility from Kevin Harvick, who can concentrate solely on the Sprint Cup title. With RCR’s most veteran crew chief Shane Wilson calling the shots, Harvick should be favored to win the title. The addition of Drew Blickensderfer offers Jeff Burton, 44, a cheerleader from on top of the pit box who won’t be afraid to be brutally honest with a driver who had his worst points finish in 17 years. Under the direction of Slugger Labbe and in RCR equipment, Paul Menard had his most successful season in 2011, a run that included his breakthrough Brickyard 400 win. There’s no reason why the No. 27 can’t be a regular top-15 contender. — Lee Spencer

Richard Petty Motorsports

This team is the most difficult to assess entering the season. Marcos Ambrose broke through with a win on a road course, and then teammate AJ Allmendinger showed the ability to challenge for wins. Ambrose should be a threat on road courses once more. The organization has the power of Roush Yates engines. It also has a driver with limited Cup experience in Aric Almirola to work with, is seeking sponsorship and has added a Nationwide program to its workload. Longtime leader Robbie Loomis is no longer with the organization, so there’s a shift in how it will manage its Cup program. This team needs to get off to a strong start with Ambrose and provide plenty of guidance to the talented Almirola in order to compete with the larger organizations. — Rea White

Roush Fenway Racing

The greatest challenge for Roush Fenway Racing this season will be procuring sponsorship. It’s curious that an organization that places two drivers in the top four in the Sprint Cup standings and wins the Nationwide Series title can’t attract the funding to support a full complement of programs. Certainly, the drivers are holding up their end of the bargain. Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth should be able to pick up where they left off — and the No. 17 team can perhaps even improve its position. The pairing of Greg Biffle and Matt Puccia has had time to germinate, and expect the No. 16 to return to Chase-contending form. While NNS champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will see seat time in the No. 6 Ford, it will take something more permanent in Cup to keep him under the RFR roof. — Lee Spencer

Danica Patrick will be concentrating on NASCAR full-time in the 2012 season. (Photo: Getty Images)

Stewart-Haas Racing

Coming off a championship should put a team in good form, but a slate of changes at Stewart-Haas Racing could alter the game for the group. Tony Stewart won his first title as an owner-driver in 2011; he’ll try to defend it with a new crew chief, new competition director and an added part-time teammate in Danica Patrick. Stewart has the talent to do just that. Meanwhile, teammate Ryan Newman and his group need to pick up the pace a step in order to not only make the Chase for the Sprint Cup, but to also be a factor in it. The competition should watch out, though. Stewart has shown that he knows what it takes to put together a championship effort and a title-worthy organization. This could be his year again. — Rea White

Tommy Baldwin Racing

The spotlight will be on TBR as it expands with veterans Dave Blaney and David Reutimann to round out the Cup complement while also providing a seat for Blaney’s 18-year-old son Ryan, who is already on Tony Stewart’s radar. —Lee Spencer