The Backstretch Blog: Countdown to the Season- Trucks and Nationwide

4. Justin Allgaier: The kid can drive. The biggest thing for him will be, how will he adjust to his new ride at Turner Motorsports. Last year he was one one of the biggest causalities from the fact cup guys were driving for titles in the Nationwide series, this year he could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

3. Trevor Bayne: As could Bayne. He finished 7th in the points despite being dropped midseason by Diamond Waltrip racing because of  sponsorship concerns. Jack Roush picked up the kid and ran him with little or no sponsorship. Jack Roush is no dummy. If he is willing to gamble on the kid, so am I.

2. Aric Amirola: This kid has gotten a lot of raw deals along the way. Yet he keeps plugging along, and keeps running up front. Runner up in the truck series last season, he moves over to the JR Motorsports 88 in 2011.

1. Elliott Sadler: I do not care what happened over the past 5 years, Elliott didnt forget how to drive. He is in good equipment, KHI has a proven record in Nationwide. And last season driving for Harvick in trucks and Nationwide, Sadler showed new life. He is a man among boys in this series.

Now to the top 5 in owners points:

5. #2 KHI: This is Sadler's ride. It just show's what a difference the cup guys make in the series. He's the top guy running full time Nationwide, but only #5 when you throw in the big boys.

4. #20 JGR: Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Brad Coleman team up for this one. Joe Gibbs racing is probably the best Nationwide team right now. Logano and Hamlin will probably win a few in the 20, it falls off a little with Coleman behind the wheel.

3. #60 RFR: Carl Edwards is one of the best in the cup series, and he's just as good in the Nationwide. Despite the fact he cant run for the Nationwide drivers championship, he's out to prove a point by running for the owner's title.

2. #22 Penske: Brad Kesolowski won the drivers title last season, and although he cant this year, the car and the driver are still pretty darn good.

1. #18 JGR: Kyle Busch will team up with Michael McDowell to pilot this machine in 2011. And who knows what McDowell will do behind the wheel, Busch will be a threat to win every time he drives. He will carry this team to another championship.

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On Tuesday, I will start previewing the 2011 cup series drivers.