It begs the question, who will be the most penalized driver in 2012? One of the most penalized drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series in 2011 was Dave Blaney but as of this posting plans for him in 2012 are up in the air. This opens the door for several drivers who do have secure rides for the coming season.
Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images North America
Casey Mears earned a total of seven penalties on his own accord in 2011 while his Geico pit crew received 4 penalties. Will they clean up their act in 2012?
Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR
NASCAR veteran and 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup champion, Bobby Labonte also had seven penalties in 2011. His crew added in an additional five penalties. Is it possible for 2012 to be a continuation of 2011 regarding penalties for the Texas driver?
Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR
Kurt Busch was penalized an amazing 10 times in 2012 while his Pennzoil pit crew earned nary a penalty. Moving from one of the top flight organizations in NASCAR to a small and underfunded team with limited resources makes it likely that Busch's penalty problems might persists in 2012, even if he does eliminate his own mistakes.
Perhaps an unlikely candidate will earn the most penalties in 2012?
Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR
Ryan Newman went through 2011 without facing NASCAR's black flag while his pit crew was penalized only once. Will Newman and his Army pit crew continue being flawless in 2012 or will the law of averages and penalties catch up to them?
Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR
2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup runner up, Carl Edwards and his Aflac Ford team were the reciepiant of only one penalty in 2011, a speeding penalty by the driver. It's likely that the championship contenders in 2012 will be drivers and teams who have the least amount of penalties in the Sprint Cup series. Will Edwards and his team follow suit and contend again in 2012?
Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR
2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, Tony Stewart earned only one penalty on the year for speeding in the pits. To go back to back, Stewart and his race team are going to have to duplicate their 2011 season in the pits which will be very difficult to do.
Of course there are numerous other drivers not listed that have as good a chance as anyone to earn the dubious distinction of being the most penalized driver in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series in 2012. Who do you think it will be? Please leave a response who you think the driver will be. Results will be tabulated in the coming weeks before the Great American Race.