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Daytona: Part 2


Here it goes, in no particular order...


Kevin:

Well, here's what I think is going to happen this week during the race formerly known as the Firecracker 400 before that name was corrupted by another purveyor of sweetened carbonated beverages. At least this soda pop doesn't have a "family," just a divorcee-to-be (see next paragraph).

5th) #24 Jeff Gordon - "Chachi" will once again be the beneficiary of a "mystery caution" when a bottle of liquid produced by one of his sponsors (see previous paragraph) will be "suddenly discovered" on the track (aka thrown out somebody's window) by NAStyCAR officials. It won't be enough to help him win, but it will keep him in line for the championship (groan).

4th) #48 Jimmie Johnson - While I don't think he will win, Johnson will once again finish better than his car owner (see previous paragraph. .also, I consider that to be a semi-official title since NAStyCAR seems unwilling to really enforce the two-cars-per-owner rule).

3rd) #23 Hut Stricklin - Do I really think Stricklin will finish this high? Not really. I just wanted an excuse to call him "Pizza Hut."

2nd) #8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - A chip off the old block. You can never count the red beer can out of a restrictor plate race. But, I think it's somebody else's race this time, and it's Little E's turn to push...

1st) #15 Michael Waltrip - ...MIKEY!!! He's motivated, his team has been steadily improving, and it's time for him to get a points- paying Cup win that he can fully enjoy. And, how can you _not_ root for a guy who has a wife named Buffy?

I may be wrong about the top five, but I promise that this following prediction will most certainly come to pass. After this race, tortured NAStyCAR fans will feel great relief for the rest of 2002. You will no longer hear from the Hollywood Hotel, be asked to "boogity," or be implored during the race to "crank it up." Praise the Lord and pass the remote control!


Don:

My fearless and ever thoughtful predictions for the Pepsi 400 are as follows:

1: Michael Waltrip

2. Jeff Gordon

3. Tony Stewart

4. Dale Jarrett

5. Jimmie Johnson

I'm picking Mikey because he runs strong at Daytona and Talladega plus the fact that he has been the best performing DEI car as of late. In addition, I feel he is hungry and he'll leave Jr. hanging out if he thinks he can get that illusive second win.

Don


Bethann:

Last years Pepsi 400 at Daytona was one of the most emotional, memorable races I have ever seen. With Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip celebrating their 1,2 finish on the roof of Michael's car in the infield it will forever be remembered by those who witnessed it.

Any race at Daytona is going to be a good one, with those restrictor plates & the draft bunching the field up there is no telling what is going to happen. It is hard to predict a race winner on the restrictor plate tracks, but the buch at Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) seem to have the plate tracks figured out.

With that in mind I am going to pick Dale Earnhardt Jr. He seems to have Daytona and Talladega figured out, and he is REALLY confident on both those tracks. I think Michael Waltrip is going to be strong and possibly give Dale Jr. a run for his money. Others I would keep an eye on are Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, and Jimmie Johnson.

We all know that "The Big One" is going to happen (its just a matter of when) Lets hope that everyone makes it through safely. Enjoy the race weekend and lets all hope each race is a safe one.


Alison:

I have been picking Mikey for 3rd each week, but this week is his time to shine.

I think if given the same scenario as in the past, Mikey will not help Jr and will go for the win himself. Besides, wasn't Jr the one who told Mikey he needed to win more races?


Arnie:

Arnie missed the deadline so he gets last week's pick of Mark Martin


Lisa:

This is Daytona, under the lights. Definitely a DEI driver track. I've had a little luck this year (very little luck) picking by vehicle this season, and the first delivery van I saw yesterday was from our local NAPA store. So I'm going to go with the NAPA team this week, and go with Michael Waltrip. Jr is also going to get back to the front this week, and the Miller Truck was all over the place yesterday, so I'm also going to put Rusty in my top 5.

It's Michael's turn, so get ready to push him up there Jr.


Rob:

Everyone will be saying Dale Jr and Mikey. But can their dominance really continue?

As much as I would like to see Mikey win, I think this is Tony's revenge for the 500. Tony dominated speedweeks only to lose an engine.

Tony wins

Mikey 2nd

Harvick 3rd


Heather:

Even though I am tempted this week to hop off of the Jeff Gordon train and pick a DEI driver, I'm not going to, because I know the minute I do, Jeff will win! So I'm picking Jeff Gordon again this week. Surely he'll bounce back from that horrible finish at Sonoma - and move me higher up in the points! Plus, he's one of the "No Bull 5" drivers, and when a lot of money is on the line, Jeff usually brings his "A" game.

My pick this week is Jeff Gordon. But I'm secretly hoping that Jeff will finish second (because I'll still get a lot of points if he does!) and Michael Waltrip wins the race. I would love to see Mikey back in Victory Lane again.


SideWays:

Me and the boys will make it short..

Jr,Jeff Gordon and Mikey....

Happy 4th!!!!


Danny Z:

Danny missed the deadline and would get last week's pick, but that was Ron Fellows, who isnt attempting the race.

So I will be nice and give him the next pick in his lineup that actually is in the race: Tony Stewart. (you're welcome Danny!)


Charlotte:

Dale Jr. , Who else?


LAST WEEK"S WINNER- Charlene Johnson:

Missed the deadline.... Maybe next week....


It isn't too late to get your predictions in. Send an e-mail to "My Prediction" . Put the winning driver prediction in the subject and put your prediction for 2nd place in the body of the e-mail. You may be on our expert panel for the next race.
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