Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Jimmie Johnson's five-year run as Cup champion ended in 2011.
This week begins a four-part look at the entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series the four manufacturers - Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota and Dodge - plan to field in the 2012 season.
While Jimmie Johnson's five-year hold on the Cup title finally ended in 2011, the championship still remained in the Chevy camp with driver Tony Stewart.
Chevrolet drivers have won 28 championships, including each of the past seven (Tony Stewart, 2011, 2005; Jimmie Johnson, 2006-10). Chevrolet's first drivers' championship was won by Buck Baker in 1957.
Chevy also won its record 35th manufacturer's championship in 2011.
With Johnson and Stewart returning this season - plus a large collection of other worthy contenders - it will be difficult to pry the series championship away from Chevy.
There is not a lot of driver turnover in the Chevrolet camp this season.
Kasey Kahne joins Hendrick Motorsports, replacing Mark Martin with the No. 5 team. He and crew chief Kenny Francis spent last season at Red Bull Racing.
Kurt Busch joins Phoenix Racing in the Cup series and will drive a majority of the Nationwide Series schedule for a team owned by his younger brother Kyle.
Stewart-Haas Racing adds a third Cup team, with former IndyCar Series fan favorite Danica Patrick planning a 10-race schedule with the No. 10 team beginning with the Daytona 500.
Tommy Baldwin Racing expands to a two-car operation this year. Dave Blaney returns for another season and David Reutimann is expected to run at least 26 races in a second car for the organization.
Q&A with contender Jimmie Johnson
Q. Can you talk a little bit about your psyche entering this season not as defending champion?
Johnson: I've spent a lot of time through the offseason thinking about the way I'm involved with the race team, the responsibilities I have, just the way I've gone about work for the last five years, and it's hard to argue with the last five years and what had happened. Last year was the sixth year and we didn't get the results that we wanted. But I really felt like we were competitive in a lot of areas. Chad (Knaus, crew chief) and I made some mistakes in the Chase and took ourselves out of it.
It's been a very good offseason for me to internalize some things and to really evaluate what goes on from my standpoint and my involvement with the team and how good of a teammate and team member I can be for the No. 48 car, and I'm making changes. ... This winter has been really good for me to really dive down and understand the areas where I feel like I can do a better job and be a better member of the team.
Q. With all these rule changes for the Daytona 500, plus the introduction of electronic fuel injection, what kind of comfort is it to be at a team like Hendrick?
Johnson: I have to believe that all the teams and engine shops feel pretty comfortable with all the testing. We're still learning the rules packages as we go. From an overall aero package and plate package, there's still probably some adjusting that would take place, I would guess. I don't really know, but from a reliability standpoint of the EFI, I don't see any issues for anybody.
