CUP: Who Will Be Next First-Time Winner?

Sprint Cup

CUP: Who Will Be Next First-Time Winner?

AJ Allmendinger could score his first Sprint Cup victory in 2010...

Tom Jensen | Posted December 28, 2009 Charlotte, NC

David Ragan had a poor showing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2009 but with a new crew chief prospects for 2010 are bright. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

4. DAVID RAGAN, Roush Fenway Racing — Let’s call a spade a spade: Ragan had a hugely disappointing season in 2009, falling from 13th in points all the way to 27th, one of the worst slumps of the year.

But that was then and this is now. For 2010, Ragan will have a new crew chief in veteran Donnie Wingo, and there’s absolutely no reason he shouldn’t find his way to victory lane next season. He could be especially tough at the restrictor-plate tracks, where he seems to run well.

5. SCOTT SPEED, Red Bull Racing — OK, this one is admittedly something of a long shot, but Speed nearly claimed an ARCA championship in 2008 and has won in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. And with an improving team and another year of experience under his belt, the free-spirited former Formula 1 racer could surprise.

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of "Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED," and has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association. Jensen is the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and has won numerous national and state awards for news reporting, columns and feature writing. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Jensen

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