2013's Nascar Nationwide Series action proved one thing--Kyle Busch and Joey Logano really really REALLY needed ego boosts by whupping up on inferior competition. There's no sign that 2014 will be any different, so that begs the question--can a Nationwide Series regular (someone actually competing for the championship) win a race? Let's take a look at the odds, from best-chance to worst.
TREVOR BAYNE 6 (Advocare) Odds 2:1 For the first time Trevor has solid sponsorship to run full-time in a Nascar series. Here's hoping he won't be annoying all his friends to buy a bunch of V100 drinks.
REGAN SMITH 7 (TaxSlayer, Hellman's) Odds: 3:1 Last year he contended for the championship, but not for wins. C'mon Regan--you'll never make it back to Cup with a third-tier team driving like THAT.
TY DILLON 3 (Bass Pro, Yuengling, WESCO) Odds: 7:2 The rookie with the best shot to make it to victory lane, where an adoring public will watch his gigantic face block out the sun.
ELLIOTT SADLER 11 (OneMain, SportClips) Odds 5:1 Elliott dropped down to Nationwide to have a shot at winning again. One more year of mediocre finishes and he'll have to drop down to the go-kart leagues.
CHASE ELLIOTT 9 (Napa) Odds 8:1 While he doesn't have much experience in a Nationwide car, he has a strong team behind him. Not to mention the fact that we don't have to deal with lame Michael Waltrip Napa commercials anymore!
BRIAN SCOTT 2 (Shore Lodge) Odds 12:1 The veteran of RCR's "All Legacy Kid" Nationwide Series lineup. I can't figure out if that's a good thing or not.
JAMES BUESCHER 99 (Rheem) Odds 15:1 As a driver leaving a successful Truck team for an independent Nationwide Series team, James is one of the top stories going into 2014. So expect a cursory mention during qualifying and nothing more.
DYLAN KWASNIEWSKI 31 (Rockstar) Odds 25:1 A rookie? Running full-time for an independent team? With sponsorship? What a concept!!!
BRENDAN GAUGHAN 62 (South Point) Odds 25:1 Moving back to Nationwide after showing zero reason why he should in Trucks.
RYAN REED 16 (Drive to Stop Diabetes, Lilly) Odds 30:1 To be fair, everyone is just hoping that he'll run a Wilford Brimley special paint scheme sometime this season.
DAKODA ARMSTRONG 43 (WinField, Fresh from Florida) Odds 50:1 The best way to make your move to Nationwide a smooth transition? remove all pressure to succeed by replacing Michael Annett.
CHRIS BUESCHER 60 (???) Odds 75:1 Sponsorship is iffy, but I could see him winning one of those oddball non-companion events with about 20 cautions. Plus, he has his brother to go to for advice on what to do when everyone spells your name wrong.
MIKE BLISS 19 (G-Oil, Tweaker) Odds 100:1 His experience gives him a shot in the plate rac--wait a minute: Tweaker? Who knew that Jeremy Mayfield sponsored a team.
JEFFREY EARNHARDT 4 (???) Odds 200:1 Well, at least we know he'll be the happiest-looking Earnhardt out there.
ERIC MCCLURE 14 (Hefty/Reynolds Wrap) Odds 300:1 Eric bids farewell to the Nationwide Series after a career highlighted by an seventh-place finish in a race. Seriously.
JEREMY CLEMENTS 51 (???) Odds 500:1 When the highlight of your career is getting suspended for a racial slur, you know you're in trouble.
JOEY GASE 52 (DB Sales, Donate Life) Odds 1,000:1 Gase drives for Jimmy Means Racing, which technically makes him a Smut-peddler.
LANDON CASSILL 01 (???) Odds 1,000:1 His odds are hurt by possibly sharing this ride with Daryl Harr, as well as having briefly associated with the biggest loser "in" Nascar, me.
BLAKE KOCH 44 (???) Odds 2,000:1 Sure he's (likely) splitting the ride with Will Kimmell, but at least he retains the "Hardest Last Name to Pronounce Right" award.
JOE NEMECHEK 87 (???) Odds 4,000:1 Don't scoff--he has a real shot this year to notch a few top-40's.
MIKE WALLACE 28 (???) Odds 5,000:1 More people would be urging Mike Wallace to retire if more people realized that Mike Wallace was still racing.
JAMIE DICK 55 (Viva Auto Group) Odds 10,000:1 Here's hoping they're able to run the full schedule--their tendency to start-and-park lets ESPN display my favorite graphic on its ticker: Dick-OUT.
ROBERT RICHARDSON JR. 23 (???) Odds 25,000:1 Nascar's most-anonymous driver retains his crown.
"THE FIELD" various (various) Odds 100,000:1 Includes Ryan Ellis (24), Tommy Joe Martins (67), Mike Harmon (74), Willie Allen (76) Chad Boat (84), Matt Carter (93) and Carl Long's mystery driver (13). May also contain Stuart Kirby, Steadman Marlin, Donnie Neuenberger and/or Steven Wallace.
JEFF GREEN 10 (???) Odds 1,000,000:1 Can he break his own DNF record?