While it seems like the 2019 season just ended, the start of NASCAR racing in 2020 is just weeks away.
As fans anticipate the new season, here are a handful of stories to keep in the back of your mind that will be worth watching as the year unfolds.
Cup Rookie of the Year Battle
There’s a larger crowd than usual battling for this honor in 2020.
- Christopher Bell in the 95 car (as a temporary stopover until a Gibbs car is vacant)
- Cole Custer in Stewart-Haas Racing’s 41 car
- Tyler Reddick replacing Daniel Hemric in the 8 car for RCR.
Rounding out the ROTY contenders (battling for 4th, in all honesty, with inferior equipment) are:
- Quin Houff (#00 car — StarCom)
- Brennan Poole (#15 car — Premium)
- John Hunter Nemechek (#38 car — Front Row)
So how will this battle finish up? The way I see it, Custer has the best equipment out the gate; Reddick has a chance at ROTY if he can avoid the wrecks Hemric had; Bell has the most talent of the bunch and ability to get the win that seemed close but eluded Matt DiBenedetto in the 95 in 2019.
Sports car competition has proven extremely successful for former Roush Fenway NASCAR driver Colin Braun, and he has a great chance for more success to start the 2020 season.
Braun will fill the third seat in DragonSpeed's 10Star entry at the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The 31-year-old Texan native will join regulars Henrik Hedman and Ben Hanley in the stars-and-stripes painted LMP2-class ORECA O7-Gibson entry for the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season-opening endurance classic. The team's fourth driver for Daytona has yet to be selected.
In the U.S., the vehicle trend in recent years has been “bigger is better”. Sedans are disappearing every year, and large SUVs appear to be growing on trees.
Even companies that had traditionally were not focused on the larger SUV category are now dipping their toes in the water. Once such company is Hyundai, which debuted its 2020 Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV during 2019.
LOOKS
The Palisade is the largest SUV ever offered by Hyundai, jumping to the top of their lineup above the Santa Fe, Kona and Tucson. And it’s an impressive debut, to say the least.
A corporate cousin to the Kia Telluride (another impressive debut for the 2020 model year in this segment), the Palisade offers an attractive design, both on the exterior and the roomy interior setup.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2020 Hyundai Palisade
- Price as tested $47,605 (starts around $32K)
- Best feature Size, versatility, price
- Rating 4.5 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Three-row SUV shoppers who want a new option that checks all the boxes
Android phone users will be able to increase their connectivity starting in 2020, when the BMW lineup will start to feature Android Auto integration in mid-2020. The addition will allow customers to connect their Android smartphones wirelessly with their vehicle and enjoy access to useful information like suggested destinations and upcoming appointments when it is needed.
Android Auto in a BMW will be demonstrated live for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 and will be will be available for customers in 20 countries from July 2020 for all vehicles with BMW Operating System 7.0.
Up against tough odds, Genesis continues putting up a tough battle to gain market share in the luxury realm.
A boost has come this year for Hyundai’s luxury brand from the award-winning G70 model, but the reality is that quality is constant throughout the Genesis lineup.
The Genesis brand is ranked among the most reliable luxury cars, and it compares well in most spec areas to many of the long-standing big boys in the luxury world.
Here’s a look at their midsize sedan offering: The Genesis G80.
LOOKS
The G80 features extremely sharp designs on both the exterior and interior of the vehicle, though to be fair it doesn’t exude quite as luxurious a feel as you’ll get from some of its rivals.
The interior is quite roomy for the class, and features a sharp-looking dashboard with both analog and digital clocks. Another nice addition was the panoramic sunroof, and you also get sunshades in the rear and sides.
The Nappa leather seating surfaces were plush and comfortable, even on longer drives. There was also some attractive carbon fiber and aluminum interior trim. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, and heated, and feels good on the driver’s hands.
Additional Info
- Vehicle 2019 Genesis G80
- Price as tested $58,745 (base price starts around $43K)
- Best feature Strong in technology and safety, smooth yet powerful drive
- Rating 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle? Luxury car buyers seeking something new that competes well with the traditional brands
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