Looking to Daytona

Is this official, or is it what you think will happen?

 

:laugh: I see.

I just don't care for the #81....but I hope the get something worked out soon.

 

So, whaddya think? Does Jr. work hard to earn DEI the $1M bonus for finishing 13th in points, or does he lay down and wait until next year?

Ryan Rocketman is 126 back in 14th, and Greg "I love those Subway commercials" is 207 back in 15th.

If Jr fails to finish 13th, I'll be suspicious of his effort.

 

True, but every driver out there has had things happen that aren't their fault, so woulda-coulda-shoulda doesn't go far. And BTW, engines sometimes blow because they are over-revved for one reason or another.

Now, it's time that I confess to a bias. Never cared much for Dale Sr (although I acknowledge his many contributions to the sport), and don't care much for Jr. I still remember in Jr's first Cup year an interview in his coach during a rain delay, ogling a Playboy during the interview and yukking it up about his drinking prowess. He was young -- true -- but that's the image that sticks with me. I'm a sinner, too, but I don't intentionally embellish my faults to attract a certain fan base.

But, I get too serious. Go Carl! Or Matt or Jeff or Denny ....

 

Isn't it quite unfair to judge someone based on one interview?

I guess it is a good think that Carl, Matt, Jeff and Denny are squeaky clean, huh? :saint:

 

Tonight, on Thatsracin.com I saw David Poole's article giving his prediction of who would finish where in the Chase. I know the field is not yet settled, but I think it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that Jr. will not make the field. You can see Poole's picks here: http://www.thatsracin.com/242/story/6605.html
Here is my finishing order for the Chase

1. Jeff Gordon This team has been most consistent all year and the biggest in wins this year. They've stumbled a bit the last few weeks, but I think they'll regain their focus and get Jeff that 5th championship.

2. Denny Hamlin Will win a race and be slightly more consistent than Johnson. Since he's defecting to Toyota next year, GM will see to it that he comes up short. Won't matter because this is Gordon's year anyway.

3. Jimmy Johnson Defending champion will win races in this Chase but will finish behind Gordon most other Sundays

4. Tony Stewart Will be a contender but will lose his temper at a critical moment and hurt his chances. If he rattles off five wins in a row, and he's certainly capable, he'll win going away and I'll eat my words!

5. Kurt Busch Has been the dominant car recently in several races but will make up for that with some bad races at some point in the Chase.

6. Matt Kenseth Always a consistent guy and if others make mistakes he could be higher. Doesn't have the ability to win or dominate a race this year and that will keep him out of first

7. Jeff Burton I don't know why, but this team just isn't a top-tier team, but they may be the best of the second tier.

8. Carl Edwards The most likely pick to finish much higher than I am picking him, but I'll stick with this because I'm not sure how consistent he'll be when the pressure is on.

9. Kyle Busch Not only is he leaving this team, so Hendrick doesn't want him to be their best driver, but he's leaving for Toyota, so GM doesn't want him to be their best driver. I'm not generally into conspiracies, but someone on the grassy knoll is there to make sure Kyle doesn't do well.

10. Kevin Harvick I get the impression Kevin Harvick thinks he made a mistake when he re-signed with this team. I don't expect him to do well.

11. Clint Bowyer The guy has never won a race, so I don't look for miracles here. Besided he is the thrid-string driver on a weakened Childress team.

12. Martin Truex Jr. Has he won a Nextel Cup race? I can't remember. I don't see much of a threat emerging from this team this year.

 

Yeah, it is. I'll work on that. Again. raying:

 

Here are my predicitions for the chase. I think it is going to be a great battle between Hendrick and Gibbs...

1. Tony Stewart

2. Jeff Gordon

3. Jimmie Johnson

4. Denny Hamlin

5. Carl Edwards

6. Matt Kennseth

7. Kevin Harvick

8. Kyle Busch

9. Kurt Busch

10. Martin Truex

11. Jeff Burton

12. Clint Bowyer

 

Not sure I believe the 88 story yet. Still speculation, isn't it?

No surprises yesterday. Gordon, Johnson, and Stewart still look like the favorites. (No one believes Bowyer will keep this up, do they?) Newman gained on JR for 13th place. And the 21 team is barely hanging onto 35th over the 22 team.

 

How many times did the Cup come down to the last race or races though?

Not very often.

I personally like this system. I actually care about the races now, before once football season started I barely paid attention to the Cup unless there just happened to be a really close race, which did not happen often.

 

I was running errands yesterday afternoon, so listened to some of the race on MRN. Turned on the TV and saw the last 25 laps.

New Hampshire is a pretty boring track and not a good place to start the Chase if the idea is to build an audience.

I hate it for Jeff Gordon that he lost his big points lead, but he's good enought to win the Chase regardless. He just has to get it done.

The Chase DOES put some excitement into the end of the season. Let's face it. NASCAR knows they are up against the NFL and they HAD to do something to try to be competitive in TV ratings. My guess it that they are not through tweaking the Chase, but a 10-race playoff at the end of the year is here to stay.

 

I learned a long time ago a purist is from the time you started or from the time it started. I got upset when they did away with a lot of the small tracks, such as Jacksonville, Fl., Memphis and Myrtle Beach by the time they got rid of Hickory it didn't matter, I was all ready upset.

Which one are you, from the time you started or from the time NASCAR started? Most of us is from the time we started.