I enjoy all forms of motorsports.  Believe it or not, I am also a very big NASCAR CUP fan.  The close racing and colorful personalities is a big reason why I’ve been a NASCAR follower since my childhood.  Two years ago I was really excited when my favorite driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, decided to leave the high glamour world of Formula One to compete in Stock Car Racing.  Montoya’s fearless demeanour and high level of skill has garnered him a dedicated following around the world.  As a Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500, CART & F1 winner, Montoya is regarded as one of the best all-around drivers ever. 

There are 36 races in a NASCAR CUP season.  After each race, points are rewarded based on the drivers’ finishing position, laps led, etc.  Montoya currently drives the #42 Target-Chevy for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing; a well known operation with successful Indycar and Sports Car teams. 

The “Chase” is NASCAR’s playoff season, where the top 12 drivers compete for the championship.  To qualify for the Chase, a driver must occupy a top 12 position after the 26th race.  Even though a driver does not qualify for NASCAR’s playoff season, he can still compete in the 10 remaining races.  However, only the drivers who qualified for the Chase can accumulate points to win the championship.  Montoya was able to qualify for the Chase this year, a first time for a non-American driver.  The Chase for the Sprnt Cup will start this week!

I personally feel Montoya will perform well during the Chase.  However, my first choice to win the championship is Mark Martin, the oldest driver in NASCAR.  Like Montoya, I’ve been watching Martin compete for a very long time.  It amazes me that he can still drive at a very high level, plus fellow drivers have the utmost respect for him due to his likeable personality and mannerisms on & off the race track.  He’s one of the few gentleman drivers left in any racing series.  Martin has never won the championship so it would be great to seem him finally claim the cup.  He currently drives the #5 Kellogs-Car Quest-Chevrolet for Hendricks Motorsports; a highly vaunted super team in NASCAR.

Regardless of who wins the cup, the 2009 NASCAR CUP season has been pretty exciting so far.  There’s bound to be some big changes next year as driver and personnel changes will occur from team to team.  Despite all this movement, NASCAR will always provide a thrilling spectable for true motorsport fans and gearheads who love to hear the rumble of those menacing V8 engines.