NASCAR: New Year’s Resolutions For Every Driver

Hendrick Motorsports

Jimmie Johnson – Win number seven.

For Jimmie Johnson 2016 is simple, win that record-tying seventh championship. Johnson had a nice season in 2015 but it was a failure by his own standards. Johnson is like the New England Patriots in that if they are not getting the to Super Bowl, they aren’t doing something right. Johnson needs to find his way into the final-four in 2016 and bring home the title.

Kasey Kahne – Make the Chase and right the ship.

2015 was supposed to be a coming-out party for Kahne and the No. 5 team. Kahne had just received the extension from HMS (something many did not think was going to happen) and the weight of the world should have been off of his shoulders. However, the No. 5 team fell off of a cliff between race No. 17 and race No. 26 and they missed the Chase as a result. Missing the Chase cannot happen again in 2016.

Chase Elliott – Make your own path and don’t drive in Jeff Gordon’s shadow.

Yes, Elliott is replacing Jeff Gordon in 2016. Yes, Elliott is driving the famed No. 24 machine. No, Elliott is not Gordon nor should he try to be. Elliott needs to focus on being himself and doing all of the small things in 2016. Worrying about replacing Gordon and making it to the final-four will only hurt the rookie driver. Elliott needs to be himself and nothing else.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Get over the Chase hump.

2015 was another solid year for Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 team. He finished one win less than his 2014 campaign but had more top-five and top-10 finishes. However, he still faltered in the Chase and failed to make the final-four. In 2016 he needs to get over the hump and get the No. 88 machine into the final round of the Chase, period.

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