While Some Things End, Others Begin...

I was reading an article recently when it hit me just how many things came to an end when Matt Kenseth crossed the finish line at Homestead.

Maybe one of the biggest things is that the "regular car", the car that we all like, was used for the last time ever. Now they're running the boxier, unglier, but safer, COT for every Cup event from here on out. Unless someday they change the car again.

The Nextel Cup Series will be called the Sprint Cup Series, and The Busch Series will be the Nationwide Series and the Craftmans Truck Series... well, that'll just be the Craftmans Truck Series.

Robert Yates has stepped down and handed his team off to his son, Doug. RYR driver, Ricky Rudd has now officially retired after a very long, but good career of racing.

Dale Earnhardt Jr bade his DEI team good-bye, racing for them for the last time at Homestead. Driving for the team his father, Dale Earnhadt, built, he announced earlier this year he was moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008.

Gibbs Racing has been driving with Chevrolets for several years now, but will be switching to Toyotas in 2008.

Matt Kenseth will be loosing his crew-chief, Robbie Reiser, as Reiser is moving up in the team. Kenseth and Reiser, long time friends and a driver/crew-chief combo, won many races and a Cup Championship together before picking up one last win at Homestead. Next year Chip Boland will be Kenseth's new crew-chief.

So as we look ahead to 2008, I can't help but wonder what will happen. Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. find the success he's looking for at HMS and get some wins? Or maybe even contend for/win the Championship?

Will JGR be able to crack the code for Toyota and find sucess with Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and the new addition to the team, Kyle Busch? Or will they find themselves faltering with a car that showed little promise in the 2007 season?

Will Evernham Motorsports be able to get back on their feet after a very disappointing season?

Will Johnson be able to 3-peat with another Championship and be the first driver to do so since Cale Yarborough and only second in NASCAR history? Or will someone finally beat this 48 team?

There are many unanswered questions. But sit back and relax, as before we know it a new season will begin, and all questions will be anwered.