Tis’ the season to be jolly, therefore regardless of whether you’ve been naughty (I’m looking at you, Kurt and Kyle) or nice, allow me to put on my formfitting Santa suit, my designer black boots and hop into my eco-friendly V8 reindeer powered sleigh and start dishing out presents to your favorite NASCAR drivers like an overenthusiastic mom on Christmas morning.
Marcos Ambrose
That the affable Tasmanian becomes as adapt at racing on ovals as he does on road courses. Along with that, more frequent trips to the winner’s circle, because NASCAR is better with off with people like Ambrose enjoying success.
AJ Allmendinger
An offseason where The ‘Dinger doesn’t have to worry about job security and a lack of sponsorship.
(Editor’s Note: On Tuesday, Christmas came early for Allmendinger, as Penske Racing named him the driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge Charger.)
Trevor Bayne
Sustained good health and more lasting memories like the one he gave us when he shocked the world and won the Daytona 500.
Greg Biffle
A flashback to the time not too long ago when Greg Biffle routinely won at least once a year and seemingly made the Chase with little effort.
Dave Blaney
That he and his upstart Tommy Baldwin Racing team continue to do the seemingly impossible and build a successful competitive single-car team from the ground up.
Clint Bowyer
He finds the same success with his newest team, Michael Waltrip Racing, as he did with his previous one, Richard Childress Racing.
Jeff Burton
There is no driver who is who more thoughtful, well-spoken and aware of the issues facing the sport, both in the short- and long-term than Jeff Burton. Therefore, whenever he decides to hang-up his helmet, Burton will receive the gift of being named the President of NASCAR. A position in which, the driver who has openly talked of running for Senate, will absolutely flourish in.
Kurt Busch
After having being booted from two of the top teams in the garage, some actual perspective that it’s time to modify his unruly behavior and start being kinder to those around him.
Kyle Busch
For the first time in his career, he puts together a respectable performance in the Chase that sees him in the thick of the championship battle all the way until Homestead. Also we’re going to stuff his stocking with a dose of maturity.
Austin Dillon
There is little question the grandson of Richard Childress has the tools to one day be successful in Cup. But we must keep in mind many a young career has been derailed by being rushed to the top before they’re ready. And as such, for a driver who is on the fast-track to Sprint Cup, there is no more fitting present than the gift of patience.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
A time machine so he can find whatever it was that once led him to winning 15 races and on three occasions finish fifth or better in points within a six-year span.
Carl Edwards
With primary sponsorship in 2012 from Fastenal, UPS, Best Buy, Kellogg’s, Cheez-It and who knows who else, the thing Carl Edwards needs the most for Christmas is a supersized driver’s suit. It also wouldn’t hurt matters if Edwards learned the lesson of sharing with those less fortunate during the holiday season. In this case, instead of hoarding the majority of sponsorship dollars at Roush Fenway, he would pass some those along to teammates Matt Kenseth and David Ragan; both of whom who are greatly lacking in the sponsorship department.
David Gilliland
A little recognition for turning in a rather solid year which saw him post a third-place finish in the Daytona 500 and qualify for all 36 races all the while driving for an underfunded team.
Jeff Gordon
One final championship so one of the NASCAR’s greatest wheelman can once again bask in the glory befitting his lofty accomplishments.
Denny Hamlin
Instant chemistry with new crew chief Darian Grubb which cumulates with Denny Hamlin returning to the form he flashed in 2010.
Kevin Harvick
After cycling through two crew chiefs in little over two-plus years, a crew chief who can lead Kevin Harvick to not only sustained success, but can handle the temperamental driver for a prolonged period of time seems about right.
Sam Hornish Jr.
A incredibly successful season in Nationwide, where the former Indy 500 winner can rehabilitate his stagnant career and silence his doubters in one fell swoop.
Jimmie Johnson
From the fans who despise him greatly, the owner of five Sprint Cup titles and 55 career wins finally gets the respect and admiration for all he’s accomplished and the class in which he’s done so.
Kasey Kahne
After years of having to deal with dysfunction, uncertainty, and false promises, the perfect gift for Kasey Kahne is a long and peaceful career at Hendrick.
Matt Kenseth
Despite taking the checkered flag on three different occasions and being a player in the Chase, Matt Kenseth is missing one thing heading into next year: A fulltime sponsor for 2012.
Brad Keselowski
Because we selfishly don’t ever want the personable and opinionated Brad Keselowski to stop speaking his mind, let’s bestow upon him an envelope full of money so that he doesn’t have to worry about the paying the fine that will surely be levied against him time and time again by NASCAR.
Bobby Labonte
Eight full years since his last win, one last trip to Victory Lane is an appropriate gesture for someone who very much looks to be on the backside of his career.
Joey Logano
Instead of just the occasional flashes he’s shown, Joey Logano receives a full season of success that will prove Joe Gibbs was more than justified in naming him as Tony Stewart’s heir apparent.
Mark Martin
After numerous close calls, near-misses and heartbreaking disappointment, one of the most respected guys in the garage finally wins the NASCAR championship that has always eluded him. After winning his first title, the venerable driver will immediately announce his permanent retirement.
Jamie McMurray
To quiet the talk that 2010 was nothing more than a fluke, a repeat of his magical year in which he won three races including the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400.
Paul Menard
Another Sprint Cup victory or two to further prove to his many critics he’s more than just the son of a billionaire and that what he’s accomplished, he’s done on merit and nothing else.
Juan Pablo Montoya
A full season from Daytona to Homestead where the former Formula One and IndyCar pilot puts everything together and truly showcases his world-class talent behind the wheel.
Ryan Newman
Never in his career has Ryan Newman, one of NASCAR’s most prolific qualifiers, won more races than he has scored poles. So this coming season, the Hoosier native will do just that.
Danica Patrick
In her first full season of NASCAR, there is nothing Danica Patrick needs more than a quiet year where her consistent positive results on the track says everything about the decision she made to abandon open-wheel racing.
David Ragan
A prominent team with a fulltime sponsor willing to pay him to race their Cup cars.
David Reutimann
A prominent team with a fulltime sponsor willing to pay him to race their Cup cars.
Regan Smith
An influx of cash so his Furniture Row team can better compete for a spot at the big boys table; something which they’ve admirably done for the last few seasons on a minuscule budget.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
A replay of 2011 would be nice, where the former USAC standout won multiple Nationwide Series races and became the first non-Sprint Cup driver since Martin Truex Jr. in 2005 to walk away with the series crown.
Tony Stewart
Despite the enormity of what he’s achieved in motorsports, there are two notable things still missing from Tony Stewart’s vast résumé. He’s yet to win either of the 500-mile races at Daytona and Indianapolis. Because giving him two sizable gifts would come across as greedy, we’ll let the defending Sprint Cup champ decide which race win he wants as a present this year.
Martin Truex Jr.
Because no one should have to endure having to be in a commercial with Michael Waltrip, a free pass from such an embarrassing act will certainly put a smile on Martin Truex Jr.’s face this Christmas.
Brian Vickers
A big do-over on what has turned out to be a very regrettable decision to leave to Hendrick Motorsports. Five years later, the 28-year-old is now out of a ride after the closing of Red Bull Racing and is staring squarely in the face of a future where he may be forced to drop down to NASCAR’s junior series to revive his floundering career.
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