SPEED Names Biggest Winners And Losers In 2008

While Friday's NASCAR Truck Series race (8 p.m. ET on SPEED; NCTS Setup at 7:30 p.m. ET) may not mathematically mark the midpoint of the season, Lowe's Motor Speedway historically has been the point where teams pause to take stock of their season and focus with renewed vigor on the challenges that lie ahead.

The 2008 NASCAR Truck Series season has been one full of surprises, disappointments, shocking performances and an overdue, emotional win.

Hands down, Chad McCumbee appears to be the unanimous vote for biggest surprise of the season.

"Many people believe Chad McCumbee is a very talented driver, including Petty Enterprises, but the results have not been there," said Ray Dunlap, veteran SPEED reporter. "Now after five events, he has posted three top 10s and looked very impressive on the mile-and-a-half tracks. It seems certain a win is very near."

NCTS Setup host Krista Voda throws Matt Crafton into that mix.

"Seeing McCumbee and Matt Crafton do well is not a huge surprise - they're both talented drivers," Voda said. "But they are holding their own against the 'super teams.' Both drivers are still looking for their first win in the series and both are knocking on the door."

On the not-so-favorable end of the surprise spectrum, the biggest disappointments have come as quite a shock to some in the garage area.

"Is it really possible Mike Skinner is not in the top 10 in points?" Dunlap questioned. "It is very strange to walk into the garage and not see the team parked right beside Ron Hornaday. It is a long season but Bill Davis' crew had better start reeling off some victories fast to get back in the hunt."

"With a little racing luck, Mike Skinner would be at the top of the standings," said Adam Alexander, SPEED reporter. "However, 11th in points after five races is no doubt a disappointment to them. They were so dominant a year ago. I feel like they have definitely had to work harder for their success this season."

Voda points out Erik Darnell having a less-than-stellar year.

"Currently 13th in points with one top 10, it's not like Erik Darnell is having a terrible year," she said. "But I had pretty high expectations for him this year. So, until he's back in the top ten, he claims the dubious disappointment award."

Never disappointing is winning the championship or simply being on the short list of contenders capable of achieving every team's goal.

"It looks like a battle between Ron Hornaday, Johnny Benson and Todd Bodine for the 2008 NCTS title," Dunlap listed. "The biggest question for me is whether Skinner and Sprague can overcome shaky starts and get back into contention. Rick Crawford is always a top-five driver but has not shown the stamina to fight for the crown. It is still way too early to guess, but the Rick Ren-led No. 33 Chevy looks very hard to beat."

"Hornaday has set the pace but I think the 2008 season will mirror 2007 in that Kevin Harvick Inc. will have to out-duel a Bill Davis-owned truck," Voda stated. "The difference this year will be Johnny Benson clawing at Hornaday down the stretch."

Every rookie aspires to one day be labeled a threat for the championship and claiming rookie-of-the-year honors is a solid stepping stone toward that goal.

"If history plays out, Colin Braun should be a lock for Raybestos Rookie of the Year this season," Dunlap predicted. "The 'Roushkateers' have won five of these awards (Biffle, Busch, Edwards, Kluever and Darnell). Braun hasn't had great finishes yet but continues to run up front and that will pay off eventually."

"Not only do I think Colin Braun will contend for rookie-of-the-year honors, I think he could win a race," Alexander stated. "He has a great deal of talent and crew chief Mike Beam's leadership is big for him."

Alexander likes what he sees in defending champion team Kevin Harvick Inc. since it added Jack Sprague this season.

"A great story is how smooth the transition has been for Ron Hornaday and that team following a title year," he said. "They are as confident as ever. Hornaday leads the points with Sprague ninth and surging. They were 1-2 at Kansas, a first-ever for KHI, and it appears Sprague and crew chief Ernie Cope are starting to hit their stride."

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