NASCAR 2016 & 2017, 2018

SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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Here's my 2016 predictions:
  1. Joey Logano
  2. Kevin Harvick
  3. Matt Kenseth
  4. Brad Keselowski
  5. Denny Hamlin
With my long-time favorite Jeff Gordon now retired, I'll have to pick a new driver to root for. My heart says Dale, Jr., for popular reasons but also because I am a big fan of the Hendricks team.

An up and comer (Rookie of the Year in 2014) is Kyle Larson (#42 / Target / Ganassi Racing)). As an American of Japanese descent, perhaps he can expand NASCAR popularity to Nippon?

Also, 2008 ROY Austin Dillon (#3 / Dow / Richard Childress Racing)), the notable airborne crash survivor in the Coke Zero 400 last July at Daytona.
 
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SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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Just pulling your tap. I'm surprised Anheiser-Busch hasn't lashed onto these bros - for obvious reasons. But I guess #4 Kevin Harvick has that wrapped up with the Budweiser brand. Although reports are that A-B is going to shift Harvick to the Busch brand starting this year, and will decrease if not eliminate Budweiser from future promotion. In fact, the report says A-B considered pulling out of NASCAR completely. Say what?!!! Un-American.
 

Dehere

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Apr 25, 2010
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Wow. Three utterly boring hours....and then probably the most exciting Daytona finish ever.
 

SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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  1. Jimmie Johnson (returning champion in Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500 in Hotlanta) and 3 additional previous wins in '07 (2) and '04. Also has the 4th fastest qualifying speed at the course (194.683). (Carl Edwards clocked the 3rd fastest (194.690) in 2005, Flash Gordon the 2nd fastest (194.957) in 1999, and Bobby Labonte the record holder (197.478) in 1997.
  2. Kyle Busch (2013 winner, and additional 3 consecutive wins in '08, '09, '10)
  3. Carl Edwards (3 previous wins in '05 (2) and '08)
  4. Kevin Harvick (Finished 2nd to Johnson last year. This is the year he'll leverage his previous success in the Xfinity series (current 3 consecutive win streak)).
  5. Matt Kenseth (finished 5th last year after starting 36th)
 

rembrat

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May 26, 2006
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Wasn't Las Vegas the 2nd race of the year? Feels kinda early for Atlanta not that I'm complaining. This place is fast
 

SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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Wasn't Las Vegas the 2nd race of the year? Feels kinda early for Atlanta not that I'm complaining. This place is fast
Nope. Same sequence.

Glad to see I got my first and rare correct choice out of the way early this year. Something tells me Jimmie is out to redeem himself this year after not making it beyond the Challenger 16 round last year. All the strong teams for last year: Ky. Busch, Kenneth, Harvick, Earnhardt, etc. look to still be strong. Logan' been a bit disappointing, but the year its young.

But there are some young guns out there who are going to win some races. I especialy like the way Ty Dillion has looked (plus I like bass fishing, so there's that!). The other Dillon too - Austin. And I'm still watching Kyle Larson - with a 7th at Daytona a respectable start for the '14 ROY.
 
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SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
Kyle ran into a bit of bad luck even before the race began. His team failed the post-qualifying inspections and he started from the back of the field.

He still managed a 3rd - even led 2 laps. Good enough to earn a bonus point toward the chase.
 

SoxJox

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Dec 22, 2003
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Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
thanks SJ...who's your pick to make the chase? I'm with KB...

question: Where did you acquire your racing interest? Familiar with the Modified Division in the Northeast?
To answer your 2nd question first: My uncle was a garage technician for 2 years with Junior Johnson back in the mid-60s. I grew up in Roanoke, VA and as a kid had the opportunity to travel with him to visit Martinsville, Darlington, Richmond, and Charlotte. The first race I attended was when I was 10 years old at Martinsville. Sat about 10 rows up in turn 1 with no hearing protection and left with my ears ringing, a headache, sunburn, and body covered in rubber pellets. I had the draw-dropping opportunity as a kid to meet Richard Petty, as well as Junior, Bobby Issac, brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison, Fred Lorenzen, and others. I fell away from the sport through my early adult years but went to a race at Loudon in 1995 and saw Gordon win enroute to his first championship (I liked Gordon before this but was hooked thereafter).

My picks for the Chase:

I really like Hendricks and will be rooting for Johnson and Dale, Jr. But my sense is the tide has turned to the Kenseths, Loganos, and Harvicks of the day and, as mentioned up thread, some exciting junior rides.

I would say the order is going to be something like:

  1. Kevin Harvick
  2. Jimmie Johnson
  3. Kyle Busch
  4. Brad Keselowski
  5. Matt Kenneth
I would not be surprised if Ty Dillon squeaks in here.

The more challenging exercise would be to pick the Challenger 16, Contender 12, Eliminator 8, and Championship 4 lineups.

I haven't followed the Modified Series. I'm purely NASCAR.

Edit: I might develop a soft spot for the new 24-car replacement, 19-YO Chase Elliot. He ain't no slouch, as reigning Xfinity champ. And hell, how could you not love a first name like that in a racing sport?!!!
 
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75cent bleacher seat

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When you say NASCAR I take it you mean Sprint Cup only? I'm envious you got to be that close to Johnson, the Allison's et al. I have a pic of me standing on the running board of a race car in 1949 (4yo) holding the checkered flag after getting a ride around the track a few times, my first orgasm! It was at the Medford Bowl in Mass. I moved to So.Calif. in '61 and became a fan of drag racing. When I moved to upstate N.Y. I got involved in asphalt circle track racing, owned a few cars and owned the car that won the 2005 SST Modified Series. Lots of fun along with heartache...I attempted to drive...not good !If you ever get a chance to see the Mods race I highly suggest you give it a try. They are the oldest & fastest division in NASCAR. NASCAR requires them to run restrictor plates when they run Martinsville...they are faster than the Cup boys. (the above is my Humblebrag shit for today)

Cup Champ?
Jimmie Johnson
Kyle Busch
Dale Jr.
Kevin Harvick
Matt Kenseth