Hendrick Motorsports

2008 SCOUTING REPORTS Choose a team Hendrick Motorsports Joe Gibbs Racing Roush Racing Richard Childress Racing Evernham Motorsports Dale Earnhardt Inc. Penske Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Michael Waltrip Racing Best of the Rest

This organization has it all: talent at the wheel, expertise atop the pit box and unmatched resources. It's easy to believe that Hendrick will again be the juggernaut it was in 2007, when its cars won 18 races and Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon went one-two in the standings. New to the stable is Dale Earnhardt Jr., who replaces Kyle Busch (now with Joe Gibbs Racing). Little E brings crew chief Tony Eury Jr. with him, and their number 88 team will share facilities with the team of Casey Mears and crew chief Alan Gustafson, an arrangement that should help both drivers.

DRIVERS AGE CUP SEASON '07 POINTS STANDING JIMMIE JOHNSON 32 7th 1st The reigning Cup champ has matured as a driver to the point where he has no weakness. He's the man to beat. JEFF GORDON 36 16th 2nd He had more top 10s last year (30) than in any other season of his storied career. Crew chief Steve Letarte wants victories this season. Expect a strong run at a fifth Cup. CASEY MEARS 29 6th 15th He had five top fives and an average finish of 18.9 last year -- mediocrity that, if repeated, could leave him looking for a new ride in '09. DALE EARNHARDT JR. 33 9th 16th Winless in his last 62 races for DEI, Junior should snap that streak within the first four weeks of the season. His driving style suits the Hendrick setups. ENEMY LINES An insider on an opposing team sizes up the Hendrick drivers "I'm still amazed at how well Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon work together -- it says a lot about Jeff that he's kept communicating with Jimmie even though Jimmie is winning the titles.... They will be the two guys to beat again.... You'd like to think that Hendrick's dominance won't last forever, but it sure seems like it will right now.... They tested fast at Daytona, so I expect all four Hendrick guys to be in contention for a win in the 500." BY THE NUMBERS 6 CHASE races that Johnson (four) and Gordon (two) combined to win out of the 10 in the Cup postseason.

-- Lars Anderson