ESPN Sprint Cup

ESPN.com preseason rank: No. 24

2009 Outlook

No rookie since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2000 has arrived to so much fanfare, or under so many microscopes. As it was for Earnhardt, it will be virtually impossible for Logano to live up to billing and expectations.

The heat is not only on him, but also on Joe Gibbs Racing for putting him in the No. 20 car long occupied by Tony Stewart and funded by ever-watchful sponsor Home Depot.

The trouble with the primrose path up, largely paid for by his wealthy father, Tom Logano, is that Joey has never had it really rough. If he runs into choppy waters in a premium ride this season, the key will be keeping his composure.

Stewart is a powerful personality and could sell a lot of merchandise on sheer charisma, to please a sponsor even through slumps on the track. Logano has yet to show much of that pizzazz.

2008 Review

Though he soared in the public eye last year when he got his first Nationwide win, he struggled and showed signs of being rattled in his brief look-see stint in Cup. He at least got full immersion and seasoning in the crucible of heavy media attention, and that might have been his best preparation for the year that lies ahead.

He has a shot at the title if: The kid nicknamed "Sliced Bread" doesn't get squashed by the unprecedented pressure.

He won't win the title because: There's just no way he can run up front consistently with savvy veterans who'll turn him every which way but loose.

-- Ed Hinton