Jimmie Johnson and Michael Waltrip: A Contrast in Confidence (January 2009)

Daytona, Thunder Fanfest- (ALL PHOTOS FROM THE THUNDER FANFEST EVENT AT DAYTONA ON JANUARY 16-17, 2009 BY Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

For three straight seasons, the racing world has pondered the secret of the 48 teams success. And, while at the Thunder Fan Fest media time with the drivers, I listened to many questions about who they thought they’d have to beat this year and always the same answer came up: Jimmie Johnson was first and then Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. To hear the drivers explain the season, we’ll be seeing a repeat of last year yet in racing, history does not usually repeat itself. Jimmie Johnson has been that rare exception for the past three years. When I asked Jimmie Johnson, who besides Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch did he think would be a threat, he replied, “You know, I look at the guys that won multiple races last year and think that they're going to be awfully tough. It's hard to ignore what the 18 did. I know you mentioned him, but I think he has the ability to do anything he wants in the sport if he can just focus in on it and keep his eye on the ball and make it happen.” Johnson went on to further explain, “ Carl has his eye on the ball and is refining his game week to week, track to track. I still in my heart feel that the 24 car is a threat for the championship. I think we're putting Mark Martin in some of the best equipment out there, and we all know how badly he wants to win one. I think Jr. showed a lot of strength and maturity last year and really growing inside of Hendrick Motorsports, and I feel he's going to be a threat.” And then Jimmie Johnson concluded with, “I look through the championship contenders, and I guess most of my thoughts go to guys in the big teams, so it's hard to really expand outside of that. I think Hamlin has matured a lot and was really in the thick of things. It's hard to believe that Matt Kenseth won't be a championship contender. So it's really those big team guys that I still look at.”