The Top 20 Drivers of 2009 Part 3

 

Today will bring part 3 of my series, The Top 20 Drivers of 2009. The three drivers featured today should have interesting seasons this year. One driver is a former champion that left home, one is a solid veteran going for one (or two, or three, or…) last hoorah, and the other is a talented youngster with many more miles left in the seat. So, without further ado….. here are drivers 14 through 12!

 

# 14 David Ragan

David Ragan was born December 24, 1985 in Unadilla, Georgia. Ragan made his Camping World Truck Series debut in 2004 at Texas Motor Speedway, driving for Fiddleback Racing. Ragan won the Roush Racing: Driver X in 2005, launching his career with Roush Fenway Racing.

Ragan had a solid year in 2008, being only his second full season in the #6 AAA Ford Fusion. Ragan posted 36 starts, 0 poles, 0 wins, 6 Top 5s, 14 Top 10s, an average start of 17.0, an average finish of 16.0, and 13th in the final points with 4299.

Jimmy Fening will be Ragan’s crew chief in 2009 at Roush Fenway Racing. Ragan returns in the #6 Ford Fusion with a new sponsor for 2009, UPS.

 

#13 Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart was born May 20, 1971 in Columbus, Indiana. Tony Stewart has raced almost everything on wheels. He has won the USAC Triple Crown, the IRL Championship, and two Sprint Cup Championships.

Stewart had a relatively quiet 2008 compared to other seasons. He had 36 starts, 0 poles, 1 win, 10 Top 5s, 16 Top 10s, an average start of 17.0, an average finish of 15.0, and 9th in the final standings with 6,202 points.

Stewart will have a bumpy ride in his first season as owner/driver. He will steadily improve as the year goes on to finally finish 13th in points.

Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the 2008 season to become part owner in Stewart Haas Racing. He will drive the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala in 2009. He chose the number 14 in honor of his hero A.J. Foyt. Stewart will also have a partial sponsorship with Burger King.

 

#12 Mark Martin

Mark Martin was born January 9, 1959 in Batesville, Arkansas. At 50 years old, Martin is one of the oldest active drivers on the circuit.

Martin raced for many years on the Arkansas dirt tracks before finally driving in the ASA Series starting in 1977. He won the ASA Rookie of the Year in 1977, and then winning three consecutive championships from 1978 to 1980. After several stints in the Nationwide Series, then back in ASA, Martin was hired by Jack Roush in 1988. Martin drove for Roush Fenway Racing for 19 years.

Martin ran a part-time schedule in 2008 making 24 starts, 0 poles, 0 wins, 4 Top 5s, 11 Top 10s, an average start of 12.0, an average finish of 13.0, and 28th in the final points with 3,022.

Martin will compete full-time in 2009, driving the #5 Kellogg's/Car Quest Chevrolet Impala for Hendrick Motorsports. He will be teamed with crew chief Alan Gustafson.

 

There you have it…the fourteenth, thirteenth, and twelfth drivers of 2009. Check back tomorrow for drivers eleven, ten and nine in The Top 20 Drivers of 2009 Part 4!