Here it goes...
Ken:
This week it’s on to the desert. This track is one of the flattest tracks on the NASCAR circuit and, as such, should be slick with not a lot of passing. Those conditions generally favor the veterans who have learned the idiosyncrasies of the track.
Once again I’m going with “Tony the Tiger.” Tony is a pure racer and the shorter and slicker the better. Tony was 5th there last year and he has won once (1999) in his three trips to Phoenix. Tony has oblivious reasons to try and win this weekend. First, he will put the final nail in the coffin in Mark Martin’s WC Championship hopes and, secondly, there is a $300,000 bonus if he wins the race leading the WC Points race.
Jeff Burton - Jeff’s another veteran that does well on the shorter flat tracks and his wins the in 2001 and 2000 in Phoenix are proof of those skills. Jeff has also been running a lot better the past few weeks and has racked up 2 Top 10 finishes in the last 4 races.
Mark Martin – Let’s face it. If Mark doesn’t win this weekend he’s history. 3 Tops 5s, 5 Top 10s and 6 Top 20s have Martin at the top of the driver averages at Phoenix over the past 6 races. He will give Tony all he wants trying to win this one.
Jeff Gordon – 5 Top 10s in 6 races and he would like to put an exclamation point of this season after his title hopes have had the door shut on them. This is “Jeffy” best chance at a victory with 2 races remaining.
Rusty Wallace – Rusty is mad and wants to maintain his victory streak. Last year he led the most laps until a tire went flat. Rusty has a good chance of winning this race.
Ken Shafer
SideWays:
Well me and the boys are about as giddy as the Republican Party. Picking a long shot to win is pretty risky business in politics as it is in racing. Now I’ll be the first to tell you that I do know that going head to head with a person in politics don’t seem to be the same as outrunning 42 other drivers in a car race, but the results are!
There is only one winner and coming in second is the first loser! Harsh to say the least but it’s certainly true.
We have been inundated with well wishes from our fellow pickers and fans alike. Picking Johnny Benson just felt right and it was his time! It couldn’t have happened to a finer driver and crew.
We want to thank you for your kind words and well wishes. While we wish this could last all winter the reality of which will fade with this week’s prognostication.
We searched for an upset at PIR and just didn’t see one. Truth is this time of year you’re heading for a title or you’re shoring up your team for next year. The long and short of it is some will “Hang it out” and some will “Hang it up”. Knowing which one is which is the problem and may not be as transparent as it seems.
You can say what you want about the luck of this team. Especially in light of it’s past runs at the championship, but we think they’ll come back strong at a track they like. It is really an easy pick. We think they win this race but we still say the “Rushville Rocket” will be the WC Champion!
Mark Martin to win.
Don:
Wow! I've really been off my feed and off the mark for the last few races. I don't particularly like Phoenix but it's on the schedule regardless of what I think of the track. I'm really going out on a limb with this one but here goes anyway:
1. Johnny Benson-He and the team have confidence and the momentum will give him two in a row.
2. Rusty Wallace-Runs well and won last year but won't get his first win of the year.
3. Tony Stewart-His open wheel experience will help him here and he has to play safe regardless of what he says.
4. Ward Burton-Just because he cussed on TV last week
5. Steve Park-Flat tracks suit his style and he's tired of all the complaints about coming back too soon.
Let's hope Goodyear brings a reliable tire this time.
Don
Heather:
Wow; I can’t believe there’s only two races left this year. Boo! But “Yeah!” for the teams and drivers; they all need a break.
So this week we’re at Phoenix. I’ll probably be wrong again, but you never know. I’m picking a guy that usually runs well [and has won] there, so maybe he’ll win again this weekend and I’ll actually be right for once.
So who am I picking to win at Phoenix this weekend??? Jeff Burton. Why not? He’s feeling the heat for being the only Roush Cup team without a win this season, and I think he just might get it on Sunday.
Beth:
This week we are at the 1 mile oval in Phoenix. With 2 races to go,
its going to be interesting to see what, if anything happens to
shake up the points championship. All of the Roush drivers run extremely
well at Phoenix, as well as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Rusty
Wallace. (Some say it is a Ford track, so don't be suprised if we
see a Ford in Victory Lane)
As for my pick to win the race, I'm going to go with Rusty Wallace,
cause he's desperate for a win to keep his record of winning a race
each season alive. (Although my gut is telling me to go with someone
else, I'm gonna stick with Rusty) Right now he is tied with Ricky
Rudd with 1 win in the last 16 consecutive years. I expect to see
at least 3 if not all 4 of the Roush drivers in the top 10, Stewart
to contend with a top 5, and Jeff Gordon to finish in the top 10.
There you have it! Lets all hope for a safe and competitive race.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Rob:
I hope to God we don't have tire troubles like last year. Of course, Goodyear says it wasn't their fault.
This weel should be a fairly boring race, but I think we will see a very happy and long overdue face in Victory Lane. Ricky Rudd
I think Rusty will come home second and miss out on his best opportunity to keep his winning streak alive.
And I think Kenseth will come home 3rd.
Look for Stewart to qualify bad and get involved in some one else's mess early. This will make for a real battle at Homestead next week.
Alison:
Boy, was I wrong last week! Tony struggled badly all day and was lucky to come home in the top 15. I think he will shake that monkey this week and pull off the victory and seal the deal on the Cup!
Mikey had some good flat track runs and I expect him to finish strong, hopefully 2nd.
3rd place is anyone's guess, but I will go with Dale Jarrett.
Danny:
The Fords are Hot, the Chevys are not, Mark likes that rap, and I hate that
crap, but I'm goin' with the cat in the fine straw hat, and the 99 takes the
checkered flag, with a little push from that young guy Busch, and third
place for Mark, that won't be enough, if Tony holds on, and shows he's tough.
Will somebody just shoot me now?
1 Jeff Burton, he rules this track
2 Kurt Busch, he'll rule all the tracks before he's done
3 Mark Martin, rap lovin little so and so!!!!!!!
Happy Racin'
Danny Z
LAST WEEK"S WINNER- Paul Marcello:
Holy cow, I won one!! Been trying all season! If only Rusty had my luck!
Since Rusty is my favorite, I will choose him this week to win
2nd thru 5th will be somewhat as follows:
Rudd
Jarrett
Kenseth
Busch
Go Ford!!!!!
Our resident Fill-in- The Handyman:
It is coming down to the wire or the finish line. I think stewart is going to just about lock
it up this week end but who knows.
1-28
2-99
3-20
4-2
5-17
good luck to all of the pickers 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.
