2009 Odds To Win The Manufacturers Title

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Tuesday Feb 10 2009 9:15am

Each year, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rewards the manufacturer that enjoyed the most success. The General Motors brand, Chevrolet, has surfaced as the most triumphant manufacturer in the sport’s rich history, winning 32 manufacturer championships since 1952. Ford Motor Company is a distant second with fifteen manufacturer titles. In fact, the last time a manufacturer other than a Chevrolet or Ford won the title; it was a Buick in 1982. Prior to that, it was a Dodge in 1975. From 1997 to 2002, Ford Motor Company captured four of six manufacturer titles; however, Chevrolet has won every year since, which equates to a six year winning streak.

In 2008, Chevrolet won eleven races. Ford was able to match the win total, but overall, Chevrolet as an assemblage enjoyed a more consistent season. In 2007, Chevrolet absolutely whitewashed the competition by winning a modern era record 26 races.

In 2009, the Chevrolet brand is favored again to bring home the NASCAR Sprint Cup manufacturers trophy.

Chevrolet: 1/1 odds

If you just glance at the Chevrolet driver roster, it is no wonder why they are the unequivocal odds-on favorite to win their 33rd NASCAR manufacturers title. They have an entrenched lineup unparalleled by the other three makes. First and foremost, let us take a look at the team owners supported by Chevrolet- Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing (Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing merged), and Stewart Haas Racing (formerly Haas CNC Racing).

The cast of drivers is even more impressive. Three-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson (3/1 odds) heads the list. Four-time champion Jeff Gordon (10/1 odds), Dale Earnhardt Jr (12/1 odds), and Mark Martin (10/1 odds) join Johnson from the Hendrick Motorsports stables. Jeff Burton (30/1 odds), Kevin Harvick (30/1 odds), Clint Bowyer (35/1 odds), and Casey Mears (125/1 odds) represent Richard Childress Racing. The newly-merged Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team boasts Martin Truex Jr (75/1 odds), Aric Almirola, and Juan Pablo Montoya (125/1 odds). Two-time champion Tony Stewart (18/1 odds) returns to Chevrolet after a season with Toyota. His team, Stewart Haas Racing, includes himself and defending Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman (75/1 odds).

Ford: 2/1 odds

If any manufacturer is going to overthrow the bowtie brigade, it is going to be the blue oval bullets. Ford Motor Company is stalwartly represented by the Roush Fenway Racing contingent, which encompasses five solid teams and drivers. Carl Edwards (5/1 odds) won a Sprint Cup series-high nine races in 2008. Greg Biffle (12/1 odds) won twice. The 2003 champion Matt Kenseth (12/1 odds), veteran Jamie McMurray (75/1 odds), and young gun David Ragan (20/1 odds) complete the Roush Fenway Racing juggernaut.

Yates Racing is a separate entity, but they receive technical and engineering support from Roush Fenway Racing. Yates Racing is not as competitive as Roush Fenway Racing, but they have displayed potential. Their drivers include 2000 champion Bobby Labonte (team merged with Hall of Fame Racing), Paul Menard, and Travis Kvapil. There is a chance that David Gilliland could compete in several races for Yates Racing, as he is still under contract.

The Wood Brothers are schedule to compete in twelve races with 1988 champion Bill Elliott behind the wheel. Boris Said and his No Fear Racing outfit will compete in select races, and will be ultra-competitive at the road courses of Watkins Glen and Sonoma.

Toyota: 4/1 odds

The Toyota entourage displayed vast progress in 2008. Most of it was due in large part to the arrival of Joe Gibbs Racing, who captured all ten of Toyota’s victories in 2008. Kyle Busch (6/1 odds) leads the band of Toyota drivers after winning eight races in 2008. Denny Hamlin (12/1 odds), and rookie sensation Joey Logano (40/1 odds) complete the Joe Gibbs Racing register.

Red Bull Racing continued to improve with driver Brian Vickers (60/1 odds). However, their second team underwent some changes throughout the 2008 campaign. Despite significant improvement from second-year driver A.J. Allmendinger, the team replaced him with rookie Scott Speed.

Michael Waltrip Racing also improved in their second season in Sprint Cup competition. David Reutimann was the most successful driver from Waltrip’s squad, as he scored four top ten finishes. Michael Waltrip, the team owner, was able to qualify for all 36 races, and scored a top five finish at Loudon. Marcos Ambrose embarks upon his first full season in Sprint Cup competition with JTG Daugherty Racing, who is in a fused technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing; working out of the same shop. Ambrose will be a force on the road course facilities.

Robby Gordon Motorsports joins Toyota along with a cluster of independent owners that include Jeremy Mayfield (Mayfield Motorsports), Joe Nemechek (NEMCO Racing), Dave Blaney and Terry Labonte (Prism Motorsports), and Scott Riggs (Tommy Baldwin Racing).

Dodge: 12/1 odds

The Dodge group is arguably the weaker vessel. They lost three teams when Chip Ganassi Racing closed the No. 40 team, and then merged the remaining two teams with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated in November. Furthermore, Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises pooled resources to form Richard Petty Motorsports. The Dodge brand still supports Penske Championship Racing, who formed an alliance with Bill Davis.

Richard Petty Motorsports has three full-time teams, and one part-time effort. Kasey Kahne (40/1 odds), Elliott Sadler, and Reed Sorenson will endeavor the full slate of races. A.J. Allmendinger is expected to compete in eight to twelve races, possibly more if adequate sponsorship is attained.

Penske Champion Racing has 2004 champion Kurt Busch (40/1 odds), who arguably provides the Dodge brand with their best opportunity to defeat the three rival manufacturers. David Stremme and Sam Hornish Jr complete the Penske Championship Racing list.

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User	Comment
RaceFan88	Cheering on Michael Waltrip is one of my favorite racing pastimes. I`m sure it was more than frustrating that first year when Michael Waltrip Racing went with Toyota and had a dismal season. Fortunately, the second season was an improvement. With this new season upon us, I hope to see a lot of this racing team towards the front of the pack in every Sprint Cup race and to watch the odds improve.
littlebit	There is a reason that my uncle the mechanic always told me to go with Chevrolet. Guess that quality carries through to the highest races as well as for us everyday drivers.
navigator07	They called Joey Logano a rookie sensation driving a Toyota, Kyle Busch also drives a Toyota. These are called a remarkable history for Toyota manufacturers.
maddox8	Chevrolet has been my favorite racing car, this stuff is handsome and I am planning to buy one someday. Glad to know that JJ looked good driving Chevy.
Cal	Why is it that Chevy is always picked on? You know I have an old Chevy and its worked amazing since I got it and its over 10 years old, why can we not see this type of work done in this sport?
Ben Smith	Chevy has always made some fantastic racing cars and I don`t see this year being any different if they survive. I figure we will see the usual great things from Richard Childress Racing, my favorite racing group.
TeslaHopeful	If only Chevrolet could make a car that would be a winner with the customers here in America they would be a great company again. Considering that they took bailout money, catering to Nascar is the last thing I would be doing right now if I ran the compan
MasterModder	Kurt Bush does not seem to be doing so well this year so far. I wonder how much his odds have changed in the past week or so. Dale Earnhardt seems to be having a rough year as well.
goJJgo	Come on, guys - Chevy all the way! With JJ, Gordon, Earnhardt and Martin all driving Chevrolets, is there really much room for doubt? There`s a reason Chevy is on top on and off the track.
Harold Mayes	Can everyone here tell that Jermey loves a Chevy :P Its not the brand that matters, its the skill of the crew that supports the racer and the vehicle. In my mind Carl Edwards is just as likely to win as Jimmy Johnson, and they drive different brands of vehicles.
Cheryl Simmons	In Nascar, the Toyota may trail in overall wins, in racing in general they are very close if not the leader. I follow some others types of racing where just about everyone is using a Toyota engine or vehicle or both. The Japanese make some dang good vehicles.
Casey Hillman	I`ve heard some good things about Kurt Busch this year and with the problems with some of the other teams he may have a chance to slip in and get a win this year. Despite him not being the best driver, he is a consistent driver and that trait will work for him this year.
Elgar	Six years seems like a good run but I can see why both Chevy and Ford do so well in this, I am a little surprised at Dodge not doing so hot though...
roadrunner	Come on, people! Chevrolet isn`t "catering" to Nascar. Nascar chooses Chevy because the cars have what it takes to win championships. The automakers aren`t the only ones responsible for their economic woes. Americans decided to go for cheaper cars from overseas, too.
RaceFan88	Dodge has some of the fan favorites as drivers and it`s disappointing that the brand is at the point it`s considered weakest among the manufacturers. Kasey Kahne is one of the strongest up and coming drivers and to keep him behind the wheel of a Dodge car should be incentive enough for Dodge to improve their cars and be stronger competitively.
spinout	So far Ford is doing quite well and I`m surprised at that. Toyota and Chevy are both having an awful lot of engine troubles so early in the season.