If you had to define the 2011 Sprint Cup Series in one word what would it be? With everything that has happened to this point the only word that can describe it would be surprises. It has been filled with surprises at every track, and well for the most part every turn. If someone had told you Trevor Bayne would win the Daytona 500, you would have laughed at the thought of it, yet Bayne pulled off the biggest upset in NASCAR history by doing just that.

Who saw Paul Menard consistently finishing up front at RCR, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth breaking long winless streaks, or what about Regan Smith pulling off the upset at Darlington this past weekend and winning the Southern 500?

You have your usual suspects up front, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick but outside of them it’s been a season full of surprises. With that in mind, let’s take a look at who else may surprise us and end up in victory lane this year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Rick Hendrick swapped Crew Chiefs in the off-season and not only did Jeff Gordon come out a winner but so did Jr, with new Crew Chief Steve Letarte Dale sits fourth in the points on the verge of winning his first Sprint Cup Race since June 2008.

Kasey Kahne: Lady Luck seemed to be on his side in Darlington as he blistered the Darlington Raceway with a new qualifying record and leading the most laps but fell short on pit strategy. Kahne last won in September of 2009 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, he currently sits 15th in the points on the verge of winning and qualifying for a Chase Spot.

Bobby Labonte: Since he left Joe Gibbs, his career has been on a down slide but he joined JTG Racing in the off-season and it’s been a good move for him. He is 23rd in the points even though that is not a knock on Bobby as he has had good cars just not the luck to go along with it. If he can put it together, Bobby Labonte will be in a victory lane near you.

David Ragan: If not for changing lanes on the final restart, David Ragan would probably have been the Daytona 500 Champion not Trevor Bayne.  Ragan sits 19th in the points but had some great runs this season but just hasn’t been able to put it all together. Ragan could join Trevor Bayne & Regan Smith as first time winners this season very soon, and so could this next driver.

Paul Menard: Along with Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard has also been carrying the RCR Banner this season and sits 18th in the points. Menard has two top five finishes to his credit, Bristol and Texas, this season and also seems to be on his way to joining Trevor Bayne & Regan Smith as first time winners in the Sprint Cup Series.

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