One of the new young guns, as we like to call them, that to me is the closest to ending up in a part-time Cup ride next year and a full-time Cup ride in 2010 is Brad Keselowski.
I think Brad completely caught our sport off-guard a little over a year ago when he was put into a Germain Racing truck at Memphis. He sat up there and led the race and possibly had a truck that could contend for the win before getting spun out.
Keselowski is a smart kid and, more importantly, he’s a racer. He understands his race car, he is methodical, and you have to believe he will have an impact on the Sprint Cup series before too long.
Keselowski really turned some heads that day in Memphis. He showed a lot of folks what he could do if he was put in good equipment. He got that opportunity and took advantage.
Scott Speed is another one whose star is on the rise. He has shown a tremendous amount of talent in a short period of time in the ARCA and Craftsman Truck Series. My biggest hope is that they don’t try to move him too fast. I feel he could benefit from a full year on the Nationwide series, with some Sprint Cup races sprinkled in. Then they could see what 2010 brings.
Landon Cassill finally is starting to show some potential. When he first got going, I think he was trying too hard. Let’s face it. That were some pretty big shoes to fill from who drove there last year. I think it’s important that owners point out to these young kids that they aren’t Mark Martin or they aren’t Kyle Busch, and I think that’s what has happened with Landon.
He seems to have settled down, relaxed and realized that he is young, inexperienced and just doing the best he can. The absolute worst thing you can do in a race car is try too hard, and I think initially that is what he was doing.
Sure, there are exceptions. Look at Joey Lagano. The kid wins the race his second time out. But let’s be honest, how many Joey Laganos are out there? Maybe more than we think, but right now there is just one, and he seems odds-on favorite to be heir to the No. 20 Cup car.
| 
|