Media picks Johnson as preseason favorite for 2011 Cup title

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – No long shots, no dark horses. All limbs remained unoccupied.

The NASCAR media corps played it safe in the annual NASCARMedia.com preseason poll, picking five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson to win his sixth title -- and come one short of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most all-time.

But here’s the thing: Past polls suggest that the press often goes for the long shot. Last year was the first time the media picked

Johnson in any of his championship seasons.
Clearly, the voters – 125 in all – learned their lesson.

Said Johnson, “Finally! Although I guess they picked me last year. I just hope they are right again.”

Rounding out the top 10: Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch and Clint Bowyer.

During its stop in January’s Charlotte (N.C.) Media Tour, NASCAR announced that the 11th and 12th positions in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup would go to the two drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, provided they were in the top 20 in points.
The media’s picks for those two spots: Jamie McMurray and Matt Kenseth. McMurray would have earned a “wild card” nod last year if the new rule were in place.