- Where's Jamie McMurray? Since his huge Daytona 500 win, he's been nowhere to be seen. It's almost as if a driver wins the 500 it becomes a huge millstone tied around his neck, and tossed into the Pacific Ocean around the Marianas Trench.
- Good thing Dale Earnhardt Jr didn't win the 500 in this case--he's starting to put together steady, consistent runs. He's currently 13th in points, and aside from the axle slip-up, has shown much better communication with his crew chief, Lance McGrew.
- Even though there have only been four races so far, the contenders and pretenders are starting to separate themselves.
- The one thing that will keep Carl Edwards from being a Cup champion: his temper. He's got the talent, he's got the crew and crew chief to win races and stay in contention. (You notice how calm and cool under pressure Jimmie Johnson is? That's one reason why he's won four championships in a row.)
- Scott Speed WILL make the Chase. He's finally starting to figure out this thing called NASCAR. Speaking of Speed, he will get his first Cup win this year en route to the Chase.
- Kevin Harvick will break his LONG winless streak by the time the boys roll into Dover. And once he gets that first win, the wins will come in bunches. Happy will be at or near the top of the points lead all season.
- Harvick's ninth-place finish at Atlanta establishes him as a legitimate championship contender. But he NEEDS to win races. And win them in bunches.
- Hopefully, Edwards has learned his lesson re his feud with Brad Keselowski. Edwards should have waited until Bristol to take out Keselowski.
- The HMS dominance is being challenged by RCR and to a smaller extent, Roush-Fenway Racing.
- The battle for the 35th position is just as compelling as the battle for the points lead. Currently, Boris Said is 35th, but three other drivers are within five points of 35th. And Bristol isn't exactly a cup of tea for Said. Fortunately for Said, he's automatically entered into the Bristol race. After Bristol, the top 35 in THIS YEAR's points standings have automatic entry into the following week's race. Don't be surprised if this battle becomes more compelling than the battle for the championship.
- By the time everything shakes down, I see three drivers that could win the championship at Homestead: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Kurt Busch. Jeff Gordon will still be mathematically alive, but would need a miracle.
Those are my insights into the season so far. Feel free to share your insights into the season.
8 comments:
Yes JJ is cool under pressure and a great driver. No doubt about it but I just don't want see him win so much again.
Yet this season is not ready to call out a dominant driver yet I would like to see if the other drivers have any thing close to match what JJ can and has done in the past.
Certainly Cousin Carl's temper is going to cost him. Harvick and Biffel seems stronger this year. Stewart just don't seem to have the package figured out yet.
Kurt Busch is showing promise finally if things stay together. Gordon? I don't know but I imagine he will put down some good finishes.
We can't count out Truex Jr. or even Joey Logano if he stays out of wrecks. Kyle Busch? Who Knows.Dale Jr. Lets hope he can put some wins together. I know the Jr. nation would be happy.
Nice, Jon. Bunch of bold predictions here, it will be fun to look back on them in a few months and see how they stacked up.
I'd love to see Speed make the Chase, but there are just way too many teams with better resources.
I would not say Jr has been steady or consistent. He needs to thank NASCAR for instituting the 'wave around' and lucky dog rules.
What do Edwards and Jr have in common?
Neither has won since 2008!
I remember something on FOX when we had to choose a driver and since Bleed didn't know squat about NASCAR, Han gave him SCOTT SPEED because no one else wanted him!LOL
If Brad hadn't went airborne, we wouldn't have heard squat (I'm hung up on that word.) about a penalty. Looks like NASCAR is to partially blame for the car not staying on the ground.
Wondering if Junior is preoccupied with the thought of starting a chain of WHISKEY RIVERs since his 2nd one opened in Jacksonville.lol
AND....I heard from Wrench Wizard and now all is right with the world.lol
Photogr, Jr Nation would be VERY happy if Jr makes the Chase. Biff could stay in it until the end. I think Logano could contend for the Chase, but fall short.
Gene, thanks. It seems NASCAR is becoming more Jr-friendly these days. And if I'm wrong on these predictions. I'll say so. I see Edwards winning before Jr (at the risk of angering Jr Nation); in fact, I see Edwards winning at a venue he normally doesn't win at: one of the two road courses.
Beverly, if Jr makes the Chase, all will be well in NASCAR World. But he HAS to win races, and there are too many other drivers that are hungrier.
Yes, the curse of the Daytona 500 seems to be on display again.
But Jon, Scott Speed makes the chase? Very Bold. Who does that leave out then? I like him and hope your right.
Fireballr, Speed making the Chase leaves out Paul Menard. While Menard has greatly improved this season, he'll have a few races where he remembers he's Paul Menard and he'll finish in the 30's in those races. I see Speed being more consistent than before and having several top 10's en route to the Chase.
Nice G&G as always. Don't know if Kurt Busch will be around at Homestead. He's too inconsistent. One week finishing 35th and the next week in victory lane.
My prediction will be that Junior wins one race this season...
Gonger, thanks. I agree with you re Dale Jr; I think he'll win at a venue that NO ONE expects him to win at: one of the two road courses. As for Kurt, only time will tell, but he and Steve Addington have hit it off so far.
Post a Comment