The 2009 season is upon us and we at HardcoreRaceFans.com thought we would offer our take on what we feel the season will have in store. Compare our thoughts to those of your own and let us know what you think by contacting us or posting your own predictions on the Hardcore Forum.

Points Leader Going Into The Chase:
Ray Everett (Publisher/Editor)- Carl Edwards: Edwards is more determined than ever and will be tougher than he was in 2008.

Jay W. Pennell (Senior Sprint Cup Correspondent)- Carl Edwards: Edwards proved last year that he is championship material and is hungry to knock Jimmie Johnson from the spotlight

Brandon Hensley (Webmaster/Staff Writer)- Carl Edwards: Edwards caught on fire last year in his efforts to catch Jimmie Johnson for the title. For a competitor, coming that close to winning is a tremendous motivation.

Ryan Moon (Marketing/Public Relations)- Jimmie Johnson: The communication with crew chief Chad Knaus will lead this team to the top once again.

Andrew McClellan (Staff Writer)- Carl Edwards: Edwards will be tough to beat this year.

Samantha Jungclaus (Contributing Writer)- Carl Edwards: It's his year and if anyone is going to dethrone Jimmie, it will be Carl

Max Dolder (Photographer)- Carl Edwards: He is getting the laps he needs at all the tracks. He is also very hungry and on a roll.

Missing The Chase:
Ray- Tony Stewart: He is a talented driver, but the first year running a new organization is going to be tough on this two-time champion.

Jay- Clint Bowyer: Barely making the Chase in 2008, Bowyer is with a new team within RCR and is going to struggle to adjust to the change.

Brandon- Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth has done well in the past, but I feel that all of the crew chief changes has done no help to Kenseth.

Ryan- Mark Martin. He has a good team and a great car but being the first year they still may have a few kinks to work out.

Andrew- Tony Stewart: He has too much on his plate and will struggle to stay focused.

Samantha- Dale Jr.: Sorry all you Jr. Fans, but I think this year at Hendrick Motorsports is going to be focused on Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson.

Max- Clint Boyer: I don't know why, just a feeling.

Biggest Surprise/Disappointment of 2009:
Ray- Surprise: Jamie McMurray: McMurray appears to be as focused as he has ever been and if the end of last year is any indication, he will become a contender.

Disappointment: Stewart-Haas Racing: They have amazing talent with Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman behind the wheel, but the team will struggle in their first year.

Jay- Surprise: Stewart-Haas Racing:  This team will turn heads with the amount of success they have in 2009.  Unlike other owner/drivers, Stewart has great equipment, a talented teammate in Ryan Newman and some of the best crew members in the garage - not to mention support from Hendrick Motorsports.

Disappointment: Joey Logano: The kid has talent, but is going to get a rough introduction into the big leagues.  Keep your head up Slice Bread, Jeff Gordon tore up a lot of cars in his rookie campaign as well.

Brandon- Surprise: Jamie McMurray and AJ Allmendinger - Both performed well at the end of 2008. McMurray and Allmendinger have something to prove this year. Don't expect them to go soft.

Disappointment:Joey Logano - Joe Gibbs Racing has thrown Joey Logano in over his head. He is a great driver, but he has little experience in the higher levels of stock car racing.

Ryan-  Surprise: Casey Mears hasn't done too well racing for Hendrick Motorsports, however I think driving for RCR this year he will bust loose

Disappointment: Carl Edwards, having a big season last year puts the pressure on him. We will see how he performs

Andrew- Joey Logano: He will not live up to the expectations this season.

Samantha- Surprise: Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing. Tony has something to prove and the fire and passion to prove that point. His teams will not disappoint. He joined Haas to return driving Chevrolets and I think he will want to prove that Chevrolets are more dominant then Toyotas

Disappointment: Richard Petty Motorsports: With the possible exception of Kasey Kahne. I think that all the changes with teams and crews might be a little too much for the younger drivers i.e. Reed and A.J. Kasey, if any one of them, will win at least one race this year.

Max- Mark Martin: I'm only guessing but I think most people have given up on him. I think he is going to have a really good year. Surprising some people.

2009 Sprint Cup Series Champion:
Ray- Carl Edwards:  I don't think there is a driver out there that is as determined as Carl Edwards.  Although he came up short in 2008, Edwards will be the man to beat in 2009.

Jay- Jeff Gordon: I'm going out on a limb here, but I think the veteran will show his hand this year.   You don't go from championship contender one year (2007) to washed up in one years time, expect Hendrick to earn his fourth title in a row, but this time with Gordon lifting the trophy.

Brandon- Kyle Busch: Nobody knew what happened last year. Kyle Busch will not let that happen to him again.

Ryan- Jimmie Johnson will be your 2009 Cup Series Champion, him and Chad Knaus will find a way to get it done.

Andrew- Kasey Kahne: The influence of Richard Petty and more consistency will finally pay off.

Samantha- Carl Edwards: It's his year. Second will be Jimmie and Kyle Busch will be third.

Max- Tie - Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch: I really can't decide but my pick is either one of these cats.