Here it goes...
Ken:
Well, it's on to Dover and I have decided that I should really have 5 winners…no particular reason except for the fact that I don't have a clear feeling as to who will win the race. My 5 favorites are Jimmie Johnson, "Good Two Shoes," aka Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and no I haven't lost it, Bobby Labonte. Well, here goes the flip of the coin.
1. Jimmie Johnson - Johnson dominated the race in the Spring and he could do it again Sunday. He'll bring the same car that he won with in the Spring which is the same car that "Jeffey" dominated with on his way to a win in the Spring of 2001. Additionally, Hendrick Motorsports has Dover figured out…even Terry Labonte does well there. Lastly, both Jimmie and "Goody Two Shoes" need a strong finish here for the overall championship and Jimmie needs a win to climb back above Newman in the ROY chase.
2. "Goody Two Shoes," aka Jeff Gordon - I hate picking Jeffey for anything but this could be the week that Jimmie and Jeff go 1,2.
3. Tony Stewart- Trouble or no trouble, Tony sees the light at the end of the tunnel and that light is the WC Championship. He will answer his critics on the track
4. Ryan Newman - This guy is not fluke, he's "the real deal," give him an engine that will not crap out on him and he'll be right there at the end. A fourth in the Spring could be a 1st in the Fall.
5. Bobby Labonte - Although the Top 5 was his first since his win at Martinsville he has been lurking just outside. Bobby has posted 6 Top 15s in the last eight outings and he was involved in a wreck at RIR during this run. Bobby ranks 5th among the active drivers in Dover averages and both Gibbs cars generally do well there.
Ken Shafer
SideWays:
Well, well, well, by our calculations we should be leading this thing! Me and the boys at the shop while somewhat giddy about this, are quick to realize fame is fleeting at best.
That doesn’t stop us from telling anyone that will listen how our meticulous research and cunning calculations have brought us to this point. The pinnacle of prognostication and perilous prestidigitation on display.
“Big” Harold just says it’s “dumb luck” and we should tell ya’ll we use the same dartboard NASCAR does when they make their decisions. Which quickly deflates the room, as we all here are reluctant but resigned to agree.
OK so it’s on to Dover. The “Monster Mile” and although a long race, it should be a good one. Our “Little” Harold has requested the honor of tossing the dart. We should report his first toss hit Ms. September, from the girls of dirt track racing calendar, somewhat “north of the border” so to speak. If we were in Texas they would call it the “Hill Country”.
After the room settles down from all the double entendres his second toss lands on…ta dah! ”Little” E.
Heather:
Well, we’re back to the “old ball and chain” again this week – Dover: the “Monster Mile” (yeah, whatever). Jimmie Johnson won the race there in June, and I’m tempted to pick him to win this Sunday. My head is telling me to pick Johnson, but my heart is saying Tony Stewart. Stewart’s got that look in his eye, and is a man on a mission (after all that’s happened to him lately).
So I’m picking Tony Stewart to win at Dover this week (as well as the championship this year – yes, I’m serious).
Don:
1. Jerry Nadeau: Runs Dover well and due to surprise
2. Jeff Gordon: Takes over points runner up and media pundits wonder why he didn't win
3. Dale, Jr.: Won last year and will be strong again
4. Jimmie Johnson: Takes over points lead so media can go bonkers.
5. Ricky Rudd: Just for spite
Having picked as above, watch Tony Stewart or Mark Martin make me look dumb.
Don
Rob:
Well, I finally got a top 10 finish in this silly contest, Thank God!!
I think Kenseth is going to be battling Stewart all day, but pit strategy and track position will put Sterling Marlin in victory lane.
Mark will be 2nd and hold the points lead.
Kenseth will take 3rd and regret taking 4 tires on the last stop.
Alison:
After receiving the Press release from Michael Waltrip's people today, I realized that Mikey just might read this site. So, I love you Mikey!!
Ok, I think Matt Kenseth will win this week.
Mark Martin for 2nd
And 3rd should, of course, is Mikey.
Bethann:
This week we go to THE MONSTER MILE. They don't call it the monster
for no reason! This points championship is wide open and it sure
makes for some exciting racing. Anyone within the top 6 or so still
has a shot to win it. Unlike in years past the champion was pretty
much decided with 4 or 5 races to go. So what will Dover bring?
Will Sterling bounce back, will Mark Martin extend the points lead,
can Jimmie sweep the events at Dover this year? Stay tuned for
another addition of As the Wheel Turns. Ok...I think I have been
watching too many soap operas. Who am I going to pick to win Dover?
Here's my who to watch list- Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Newman,
Rusty, Stewart, and Jr.
Who am I picking to win? I couldn't decide so I wrote them down
on paper, mixed them up, and here is how I picked them...
Dale Jr -1st, Newman-2nd, Jeff Gordon-3rd, Stewart 4th, Jimmie Johnson
5th. Come on JR...Get me some good points.
Lisa:
I had a nice little streak going, picking winners. I know that I
should stay on Rusty's bandwagon until his losing streak breaks like
Heather did with Jeff Gordon, but I'm not that patient. I need points
to get more pennies to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness for
Colton.
So I'm going back to my older style of picking and to keep me from
thinking about it, I'll use the tried and true "close your eyes and
point" method. HMMMMM Dale Earnhardt Jr. is my pick this week.
I can handle that.
LAST WEEK"S WINNER- Myrtle Zeeff:
This week I would really like to go with
two drivers. Tony Stewart has my support
as I am one of his biggest fans, but Mark
Martin deserves to win and keep ahead
in points.
Tony has many years to race-one of the young guns of
today-,so I am going with Mark Martin, Tony Stewart
and Matt Kenseth. I will be listening to the
race on my way Grand Rapids, Michigan
and truthfully there are about ten good
drivers that could win, but I'll be cheering
my guys on.
God Bless America and the
Drivers. May this be a safe race.
Myrtle Zeeff
The Handyman, our resident Fill-in.
trying to get back on track that is the race track and picking
1-99
2-20
3-12
4-48
5-88 happy picking from the handyman.
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.
