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The Brickyard!!
Here it goes, in no particular order...
Don:
My highly scientific handicap method of picking winners seems to have spun out in turn two. While the Brickyard 400 is more an event than a highly competitive race, someone has to win. My picks follow:
1. Jeff Gordon- Provided unforeseen events don't take him out, this is Jeff's best chance to break his loosing streak.
2. Tony Stewart- Tony is from nearby Rushville and I came from Rossville so we have that Hoosier bond. I'd like to
pick Tony for first but Jeff is too hungry.
3. Johnny Benson- Johnny runs too strong not to break through for a strong run and his luck has to change.
4. Robby Gordon- Robby seems to excel on road courses and flat tracks and I believe he's due for a top five.
5. Ricky Craven- Mainly because NA$CAR wouldn't want an all GM top five and Ricky has been strong.
Note: Sterling Marlin didn't make my top five because I think he'll run for points this week. Mark Martin may be inspired and pull off a surprise. Jimmie Johnson seems to have lost some of his luster but may regain it here but I don't think this is his place to shine. Surprise me Jimmy. Don't count out Steve Park. After Pocono and less than half a lap, Steve is out to prove his worth. Drive careful my man and use patience. For God's sake, quit scaring the crap out of me and Heather.
Don
SideWays:
Well me and the boys at the shop couldn't be prouder of the ole "Dawsonville Dart". He showed them youngens a thing or two! He may be getting older but he ain't getting slower!
Let's see it's on to the yard of bricks. Which may be the solution to the problems at Loudon. Brick the place up and make it a museum! It's that or take out the backstretch and turn it into a little Indy! Hey that might work…nah…plow it under and start over. While you're at it do the same to Kansas, California, and Homestead!
Sorry just had to get that off our collective chests. Now on to the late summers premier event. We like this event. You can just feel the history when you walk in this place. To be part of it is special. The fans feel that way too. That's why we're totally surprised that "Burger King" Bill and the Bandits haven't messed it up yet!
Let's see me and the boys see a little "Smoke" on the horizon…could it be the "Rushville Rocket"…the "Madman of Macadam"… yes it's Tony the Stewart!
Heather:
Okay, this is it. This is the week it will finally happen. The stars are all in alignment. It's a sure thing - I think. Jeff Gordon will finally get his first win of the season at Indy! It's one of his favorite racetracks/home crowd, his birthday is this weekend, and I think he feels like he has something to prove - not to mention silence the critics. So, I predict Jeff Gordon will be standing in Victory Lane at Indy (as a driver, not an owner!). Come on Jeff, I need the points! LOL!
Danny Z:
It's only Monday night (as I write this) but I'm so sure of myself that I'm putting it down
now. If Pocono was 400 miles, Sterling would have won handily, and so he will
at Indy. Here's my Indy trifecta;
1 Sterling Marlin looks strong all race but has a battle at the end with
2 Jeff Gordon, who just goes out and does what he does best, race. He won't
get much pressure from
3 Mark Martin, who wants the points too much to force the issue at this
point of the season.
Dodge ,Chevy, Ford, But I won't be surprised to see a Pontiac up front
either.
Happy Racin,
Danny Zeeff
Arnie:
There will be a real surprise winner this week at Indy. I predict it will be John Andrette or however you spell his last name. Any way the 43 colors will be in victory lane this time. Look for strong runs from all the Roush guys and you will also see a lot from Ricky Rudd. He is looking for a ride.
Alison:
Rusty Wallace should pull of the victory this week and catapult me back in the lead in front of Don.
Mikey tested strong there and should come home 2nd.
Sterling Marlin will continue his Championship form and place 3rd.
Rob:
The Brickyard is a tough event and Jeff Gordon seems to own that place.
With Marlin and Martin counting points, I think Jeff has nothing to lose and all to gain by being agressive this week and going for the win.
However, the odds would say that he can't just keep winning there.
With that said I will predict as follows:
Steve Park will return to form and pull off the victory.
Mayfield and Elliott will put Ray's Dodges in the top 3 as well.
Bethann:
Can you Believe it!!! I actually sent in my pick this week.
Indy is going to be interesting! We are certain to have a full field
for this race. Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon
should be strong at Indy. Jimmie will probably be in one of Jeff's
old cars, Im begining to think that maybe Jeff should ask for
some of them back. I wouldn't count out Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte
or Dale Jr. either.
Being that I can only pick one of these drivers, I am going to pick
Tony Stewart. My second choice is Jimmie Johnson Now watch
the one week I don't pick Jeff Gordon he will win the race. . Oh
well, you can't pick the winner every week. I could really use some
points TONY!! Help me out Buddy!!!! Take care everyone and Enjoy
the race everyone!!!!
Kevin:
Well, nothing like a couple of weeks "off" to put a crimp in one's
championship run, is there? Our fearless editor incorrectly reported
that my injury was due to a freak accident while I was playing Twister.
In fact, it was more like a game of Mystery Date gone horribly
wrong.
Ahh, but back to the chase. Now that I'm around 300 points behind
our esteemed senior writer, Don Hamm (which just goes to show why
he has that title), I've got to go for broke and hope a couple of
breaks come my way that don't involve my right arm. Wild hunches,
freaky superstitions, and just plain blind faith will now have to
rule the day. At least this time around I can actually mention the
name of this week's race without having to ask a sponsor for a check,
so here are my predictions for the Brickyard 400:
5th) #2 Rusty Wallace - While Rusty is a driver capable of winning
at any track that doesn't require a restrictor plate, he is from
the State of Missouri which will keep him from winning this year's
race.
4th) #8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - Little E will rebound from his early
exit from last week's race at Pocono. But, he is from North Carolina,
so he cannot win this race either.
3rd) #77 Dave Blaney - You've got to love how well this little team
has been running this year, even though their finishes have not really
reflected it. Blaney is from Ohio...close, but no cigar for 2002.
2nd) #40 Sterling Marlin - This team seems to have finally picked
it up again after seeing their points lead start to rapidly diminish.
Sterling's a good ol' boy from Tennessee, and that just won't get
it done this time around.
Why all this stuff about states? That's my hopeful hunch for this
week. You see, being a native of Lexington, Kentucky, there's nothing
I enjoy more than seeing the UK Wildcats beat up on the Indiana Hoosiers
in basketball. It's a bitterly contested rivalry, and IU fans feel
as deeply about it as we Kentuckians do. The 'Cats have had the
upper hand of late, so I'm hoping that trend will continue as one
of Kentucky's own goes up to Indy to show them boys how it's done.
So, all together now, just like in the commercial, let's all say
"Hey" to this week's winner, straight from the racing heart of the
Bluegrass State...
1st) #19 Jeremy Mayfield - "Do you like it?" Oh yeah!
Lisa:
Indy, home of the milk mustache!!!! I've got to pick Jeff Gordon
this week. He's great at this track, it's where he was raised, and
he is ready for a win. Besides, it's very easy to picture him with
the milk mustache.
Heather, can I hitch a ride on your band wagon this week?
LAST WEEK"S WINNER- Jim Stone:
Seeing as I am a big Ward Burton fan and he won Daytona and a couple weeks ago at Loudon, let's give him the hat trick and watch him take home the title and the milk at Indy.
Jim
Charlotte:
Dale Jr. , Who else?
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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