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February
18, 2007
Great
American Predictions
By Dennis Michelsen
Its that time of the year to get the dust off ye olde
crystal ball and make some fearless predictions bound
to go wrong in 2007! This season will be even tougher
to handicap than last year due to the number of teams
involved. But I will once again step up to the plate and
make my educated guesses at some of the happenings in
NASCAR this season.
Nextel
Cup Division
Championship
Chase
Adding two more drivers to the Chase for the Championship
this season makes picking the champion a little tougher.
But one guy has the motivation to get it done no matter
what rules NASCAR throws at him this year. Tony Stewart
comes into this season as a man on a mission! After missing
the playoffs last season Stewart and his Home Depot team
will come out firing on all cylinders in 2007! The rest
of the cast of characters in the Chase is not as certain
but there are some picks that are easy. In each category
I will pick the top five drivers in each classification.
Chase
Locks (90% Certainty)
Tony Stewart-He will not be denied two years in a
row
Jimmie Johnson-Defending champ is ultra consistent
Jeff Gordon- Didn't become four-time champ by accident
Matt Kenseth-Robot-like precision on the track
Kevin Harvick-RCR is back with the elite
Chase
Likely (75% Certainty)
Kasey Kahne-Increase in Chase field good news
Clint Bowyer-Rising star this season with strong team
Denny Hamlin-Forget the sophomore slump talk
Greg Biffle-Too good to miss Chase twice in a row
Elliott Sadler-Solid team to support solid driver
Chase
Possible (60% Certainty)
Kyle Busch-End of season slump concerns me
Ryan Newman-Penske has to be better this year
Carl Edwards-Too good to pick against
Scott Riggs-Underrated driver on solid team
Ricky Rudd-If Yates Racing rebounds
Chase
Chance (40% Certainty)
Jeff Burton-Veteran usually is consistent
Kurt Busch-He will win races but can he be consistent
Dale Earnhardt Jr-Off track distractions could hurt
Martin Truex Jr-Improved as rookie year went on
David Ragan-Team has made Chase every time
Chase
Long Shots (Wouldn't Shock Me)
Dave Blaney-Best shot for Toyota
Robby Gordon-Great driver can he build winning team?
Sterling Marlin-Can Ginn Racing improve enough?
Reed Sorenson-Talented youngster can get more consistent
Juan Pablo Montoya-Don't bet against this great talent
Champion-Tony
Stewart
Rookie of the Year-David Ragan
Silly Season Casualty-Jamie McMurray
Most Likely First Time Winners-Scott Riggs, Clint Bowyer,
Casey Mears, Reed Sorenson, Martin Truex Jr
NASCAR
Busch Series
This will be another year of extensive Busch Whacking
and stories about Busch regulars struggling to keep going
for the whole year. A few teams and drivers that suffered
through a year of domination by the Cup guys have departed
or consolidated going into 2007. The shortage of quality
teams and possible thin fields could worry new television
partner ESPN, which will air all of the Busch races this
season.
Champion-Carl
Edwards
Second time around with running both schedules will
be successful for Edwards
Bye Bye Busch Whackers Champ-Bobby Hamilton Jr
Returns to level and equipment where he can be successful
Rookie of the Year-David Ragan
History is made with ROTY sweep of Busch and Cup
Craftsman
Truck Series
NASCAR's most competitive and exciting racing will
again be fun to watch in 2007! The mix of young and veteran
drivers gives this series a unique formula for exciting
action. While I would like to see these rough and tough
trucks on more short tracks, the mix of events this year
should make for great racing!
Champion-Johnny
Benson Jr
He came so close in 2006 and has solid team again
Rookie of the Year-Kelly Bires
Talented youngster is the latest graduate from ASA Late
Model Series
Programming
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