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Monday, December 29 Updated: January 8, 8:49 PM ET  Comments on Cup drivers ESPN.com We spotlighted Cup drivers Larry Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Robby Gordon and Jeff Green. Here are your thoughts on their '03 campaigns and prospects for next season:
David Lyall Northville Mich.
Larry Foyt will finish top-35 this year. He will improve over last year with better qualifying efforts, and more consistent finishes. A one-car team can't compete like multi-car teams can in NASCAR. A.J. should stick to open wheel, but he knows NASCAR is where the money is. Jeff Gordon will bounce back and win the Nextel Cup. With Brian Vickers joining the team, Hendrick Motorsports will have "Set ups/test results galore." Robby Gordon will continue to dominate the road courses. Don't expect much else from this RCR driver, expect bigger things from the No. 29. Jeff Green will continue to post mediocre results in Cup racing. The Busch series is where his potential climaxed. Matt M. Atlanta, Ga.
I have faith in Larry, A.J. and the team and I think they will learn from the 2003 season and have a better season in 2004.
Good luck to them!!
Should Larry Foyt even be in the BUSCH Series? Perhaps this is just another rich kid that got to go to the big leagues because of his name. The main thing to remember is that nobody else could stay with A.J. long enough to drive for him, because he got rid of them all. A.J. is not an easy man to drive for, and who would fire family...? Shawn Peters Hawkins County, Tenn.
I followed Larry's season more closely than most race fans. He had notoriously bad luck, often being taken out is someone else's wreck. He showed promise in the later stages of the season and I think he will be much more competitive in 2004. Few drivers in NASCAR have a real opportunity to win consistently. I think Larry will do as well as those who are not among NASCAR's elite few. John Livengood Battle Mountain, Nev.
Kristen New Orleans, La.
Yes, Jeff is definitely the favorite to win the first Nextel Cup for 2004. Gordon is the most talented driver in the series and will only continue to strive for his fifth Championship. His 2003 finish proves that he will be focused when they drop the flag at Daytona 2004. Look for Gordon to win five races and improve his top-five finishes. Mike McCallum Flint, Mich.
Run of bad luck for a stretch but that happens to everyone. Will rebound this year with the title. Wins in one of the first three races to grab the lead and doesn't let it go. Jamie Marshall Woodslee, Ontario
In the minds of most Jeff Gordon fans, '03 was a disaster. Not because of where he ended up in the standings but because of how he got there. Fourth is a great season for most guys on the circuit but not for the 24 DuPont team. If I'm not mistaken, Gordon led the most laps last year. He obviously has the talent and the equipment to keep the 24 car near the top of the field on a consistent basis. The 2003 season will be remembered as one of poor pit strategy, bad luck and a damn good driver doing his best to overcome all of that. Bottom line -- Jeff Gordon had a great season behind the wheel. He just needed a little more help behind the wall.
On to '04. Jeff Gordon is certainly the favorite going into the inaugural Nextel Cup season. If you don't believe me, ask Vegas. There is not a man on the grid who blends as much talent, experience and focus on championships as Jeff Gordon. Guys will come and go. Some guys will win more races. Some guys will win more poles. Those things come and go. The one constant in the last decade of NASCAR racing is Jeff Gordon at the top of the standings.
Jeff Gordon could win it all, but won't. To many distractions on and off the field. Makes you wonder if the passion and drive in the gut is still there. All that money has a way to soften ones risk taking, competitive edge and since of history. Bruce Athens, Pa.
Joel Foster Riverside, Calif.
I think if Robby can gel with his new crew and avoid some of the bad luck that hit him last year, I think a top 10 points finish is realistic. I feel he will again be the man to beat at the road courses. I also feel it's necessary for him to get some oval wins to garner some respect with his peers and qualifying needs to be better. Bob Hand Newhall, Calif.
I have watched Robby for years in all types of race cars, and in all levels of racing. He is a hard charger and does not like to lose and when he has the horses under him he can make it dance. I feel that 2003 was a good year for him in the fact that he finally figured out all the little thing about driving driving a Cup car on on ovals, there is a big difference from sports/open wheel cars on road racing tracks. If you go back and ask you will find that Jack Roush put him in a Trans-Am car at Sebring with a less than great set up and turned him loose. After turning some very good times he was soon driving the IMSA circuit for Jack and kicking butt.
I think that he now all all the parts in place and is ready to go after a NASCAR championship.
Robby is not smooth enough to win a race, much less a championship. Every week he reminds me of the movie, "Days of Thunder" where he can't keep from burning up his tires. Robby is too used to throwing his car around, one of the reasons I like to watch him in any format, and will not crack top ten until he figures out the tires. Another thing, why does he continually handicap himself by going down a lap early? I love to watch him do what he does best, Road Racing/Indy Cars. Greg Soden Los Angeles, Calif.
Adam Perkins Maine
Jeff Green will have to show his knowledge from DEI/RCR/Busch Series to have a chance. Who will it be to turn around the Petty organization? Good luck Jeff! Jeff Schrock St. Charles, Minn.
Petty Enterprises has long been needing a driver that can take the place of Bobby Hamilton, I have seen promise in JG while in the 43 car, he knows what it is like to be a winner, and I know that JG will give and all out effort in the 43 car. I was really moved after Robby Gordon had pushed Kyle out of the way and into the wall at Martinsville, and to see the 43 with JG come up beside and the 31 car and rub some fenders, and say listen that's my boss your messing with, PE has not had anyone do that in a good long time. So it sure was nice to see someone have Kyle's backside, things can only improve from here, John Andretti was never a really aggressive driver. He never really got up on the wheel. Look for some changes in the 43 positions this year, more toward the front. Michael R. Fitts Fort Meade, Md.
I think who ever wrote this commentary on Jeff Green is dead wrong. This driver will make top 20. I think with what he is showing the Pettys, that there will be a change. This is what they needed a breath of fresh air that can tell them what is wrong with there cars. Thank you for this article. Scott Bennett Jefferson, Ohio  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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