Here it goes...
Before we start, let me throw a few stats out for you.
The 3 segment totals to date for our staff challenge are as follows:
Bethann- 4533
Heather- 4243
Lisa- 4150
(In the real deal Tony Stewart only has 4691)
So, Beth clinches the ITPB Cup regardless of this week's outcome!!!
Beth also leads (ties) in most wins with 6. Lisa also has 6.
Nice going ladies, maybe us guys can learn something next year.....
Ken:
The final race on the year…I’m not sure whether to cry or have a party in celebration. My favorites this week are “Smoke,” Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte and Kurt Busch. Tony has everything going for him this weekend. He owns Homestead with two wins in three races and, even though he ended up in 19th place last year, he actually led the most laps in the race. You have love him in this situation but I believe Stewart will spend the better part of the day being very careful and making sure Mark Martin doesn’t get out of his sights.
Bobby’s stats are almost impressive, in fact, his average at Homestead is higher than Tony’s. Jeff Burton’s and Mark Martins results are also impressive. So who do I like to win the race… the kid with the worse record of the five…Kurt Busch.
Ken Shafer
SideWays:
Well me and the boys are somewhat sad to see it coming to an end. We are happy with the fact the “Traveling Circus” is winding down and families and crews will get time together before Daytona, it’s just a time to pause and reflect, so to speak!
Boy what a year! We’ll have a re-cap next week but as Imus says “You can’t make this stuff up”. Lets see we’ve had a separation between “Ken” and “Barbie”, several altercations between drivers, both on and off-track. Some settled some not.
An owner not committing to a driver who was in the points battle. That driver accusing the engine department of inferior motors. A driver from a prominent team announcing mid-year he’s going to another prominent team. An owner almost killed in a plane crash. An owner about to sue NASCAR.
A driver set down for a “Cup” event by NASCAR for an altercation incurred in another series! People being fined for using un-approved parts that had NASCAR approval numbers on them! A stockholder from SM Corporation suing NASCAR and ISC for breach of implied promise.
Boys it don’t get no better than this! OK more latter…lets move on to the “mistake south of the big lake”. Folks I said it was Tony Stewarts’ to loose a month ago, it still is. Mark will finish well but alas no cigar! Neither one will win! There is a guy who’s been pretty much forgotten. We like him here.
Bobby LaBonte to Win.
Don:
First we need to get the race in. The weather forecast is not too promising before Monday and we have three races to run. If qualifying is rained out then my picks will be even stronger since Tony will start at the front. Here goes:
1. Tony Stewart-He likes the track and wants to take the Championship with a win.
2. Mikey-Needs a good run to finish out the season.
3. Jeff Burton-Needs the win but will have to be satisfied with third.
4. Dave Blaney-This team is on the move.
5. Robby Gordon-Flat tracks suit him so long as he doesn't run over anyone.
If qualifying does run then Tony may be in trouble since his qualifying performance has recently dropped off. I just wish the Championship was decided on a real race track.
Don
Heather:
I’ve dreaded this weekend…having to make a prediction for the last race of the year. I’m starting to feel the withdrawal symptoms already. But seriously, I’m glad that the teams will get some much-needed time off. Well, for a few weeks anyway. Because we all know that there really isn’t an off-season anymore.
I’m sure most people will pick Tony Stewart to win at Homestead and take the championship style. I thought about choosing him, but I changed my mind. I still think he will be the champ, but I don’t think he’ll win the race on Sunday; because there’s a driver out there with a little bit more fire in his eyes, who is determined to not let a 16-year streak end.
So who am I picking to win at Homestead this weekend??? Rusty Wallace. After hearing all the comments he made last week about not winning a race [yet] this year, you can tell that he is on a mission – one that I think he will accomplish.
Beth:
Well it seems like we just saw Sterling pulling on his fender at
the Daytona 500, but here we are at Homestead last race of the season.
What am I going to do with myself for the 3 months we're not racing?
Guess I'll have to take some of my diecasts down of the shelves/walls
and have me a race! It looks like it's going to be an interesting
weekend at Homestead. I think Tony has the Championship wrapped
up, but funnier things have happened. Ok, who am I going to pick
for the Homestead win?
Well I'll have to go with 2 time winner and dominator of the Homestead
track Tony Stewart. I think he will lay it all out on the table,
win the race, and seal up that championship. Look for Rusty to
be near the front cause that man is just plain hungry for a win,
Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliot has done well there in the past, and I wouldn't
be suprised if Mark Martin or Kurt Busch came away with a top 5 either.
Well that's all for this week, and I guess this is the last pick
of the season so lets hope it's a winner! As always, take care,
have a grat weekend, and lets all hope for a safe race. Good luck
getting through the offseason!
Rob:
What a season. I think we had a bit of everything this year. What would really make it nice is for me to end teh year with a victory.
Joe Nemechek to win. His team has been getting stronger and he has had success there.
Mark in 2nd with Tony in 23rd, but still enough to win the title.
I think Mikey will have a good run there and pull off a 3rd.
Alison:
Mikey seems to have done ok at Homestead, so I will hope he gives me a win to end the year.
I think Tony will finish 2nd and clinch the Cup
And 3rd will be Bill Elliott ending the year on a good note.
LAST WEEK"S WINNER-Lori Paulson:
Thanks for the chance to pick with you guys!
I won last week with a pick of Matt Kenseth, so lets go for two in a row!!
The rest of the top 5 is:
Stewart
Elliott
Bobby Labonte
Kurt Busch
Our resident Fill-in, The Handyman!:
What a great year that I ,have had, enjoyed predicting with everybody, looking forward to next year .Hope that the 1st and 2nd
half prediction from this year will be posted to see how everybody competed against each other this year.
' Oh by the way' these are my picks for Homestead .
1-97
2-18
3-88
4-24
5-20
Good luck to everybody 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.
