Baby blues in '07? Not with these rookies
By Lee Spencer
The Sporting News
January 1

While the Nextel Cup freshman class of 2006 featured quantity over quality, the new Raybestos Rookie of the Year contest will be more of, well, a contest. Denny Hamlin spanked last year's field of freshmen, but this assemblage of racers is a diversified collection of open-wheelers, stock car legacies or a combination of both. Although Regan Smith and Jon Wood also are considered rookies, it's highly unlikely that they'll be contenders for the title while running limited schedules. Here are early prognoses for the 2007's six full-time rookies.

Paul Menard, No. 15 Chevrolet: No, Menard never won the Busch Series title, but he's still my choice for ROTY. Menard was the only Busch regular who consistently competed against the Cup drivers week in and week out. It would have been easy to write off Menard as just another trust fund baby relying on racing as a hobby. But he has quieted his critics with unfailing determination and work ethic. Dale Earnhardt Enterprises plans to pattern the No. 15 team's structure after the No. 8 with veteran crew chief Tony Eury Sr. at the helm. Eury's influence in the NBS added confidence to the squad and should have a similar effect as the team makes its transition to Cup.

Juan Pablo Montoya, No. 42 Dodge: When it comes to racing resumes, J.P. is the Mac Daddy with Formula 1 and Indy 500 bragging rights. With phenomenal car control, Montoya's conversion from open wheel to stock cars should be smooth. He proved early that aggressiveness in stock cars is not a problem. Montoya, 31, is familiar with team owner Chip Ganassi dating back to his CART runs in 1999 and 2000, which should allow him to acclimate quickly. Veteran crew chief Donnie Wingo will be a calming influence.

A.J. Allmendinger, No. 84 Toyota: Allmendinger surprised a lot of people with solid finishes behind the wheel of the Bill Davis Racing Tundra last season. The shift from CART to stocks appeared seamless. The opportunities also enabled Allmendinger, 24, to work with crew chief Ricky Viers before debuting at Daytona. Although Team Red Bull has deep pockets, the organization floundered when it came to qualifying for Cup events in 2006. Teammate Brian Vickers' ability to mentor Allmendinger could expedite the learning curve.

David Reutimann, No. 00 Toyota: At 36, Reutimann is the veteran among rookies. The 2004 Craftsman Truck Series ROTY won a pole in his second truck start. He has three full seasons in trucks and 31 starts in NBS. In Reutimann's sole Cup start, he qualified 26th at Lowe's and scored a 22nd-place finish. Whether Michael Waltrip Racing will have better luck with Toyota in Cup next season than it had in its limited races last season remains to be seen. Certainly the support will be there. However, after losing crew chief Larry Carter just weeks before testing, the replacement boss will have to scramble to get up to speed before the Domino's Camry rolls out at Daytona.

David Ragan, No. 6 Ford: Of the six full-time rookies, Ragan, 21, is under the widest microscope after replacing Mark Martin for Roush Racing. With a season of experience in the Craftsman Truck Series and seven NBS starts, Ragan is seriously lacking in NASCAR seat time at the junior ranks and his two Cup starts ended badly. Veteran crew chief Jimmy Fennig worked wonders with a young Kurt Busch and was enlisted to lead this rookie crew as well. Ragan has the equipment and the desire, but only time will tell whether he has the talent to compete at the Cup level.

Brandon Whitt, No. 72 Chevrolet: Whitt, who hails from Cup champ Jimmie Johnson's hometown of El Cajon, Calif., cut his teeth in the Craftsman Truck Series. Whitt, 24, had limited success with the Red Horse Toyota team but won at Phoenix in 2004. Consequently, CJM Racing fielded Whitt in the No. 72 at Portland International Raceway last fall. Whitt qualified 37th and was sidelined after 123 laps due to mechanical failure. With limited funding, a similar fate can be expected against the uber-teams in the Cup garage.

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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