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Richmond under the lights!
Here it goes...
Ken:
Well last week I was in the "ballpark" but I am still surprised that "Goody Two Shoes" came back to win the race…give Robby Loomis the credit for that win. The #24 was awful early on but they kept chipping away and, at the end, they had the best car. Well it's on to RIR, or as NASCAR.com coined it…Revenge In Richmond. I like that since it seems appropriate. I really don't have a favorite for this race, I have three…Rusty, "Jr." and Tony. That little "bump and run" "Goody Two Shoes" gave him at Bristol really has Rusty's juices flowing and a checkered flag for him at RIR is very good possibility.
"Jr.'s" year, although surrounded by a huge amount of hype, has not been very spectacular to back up the hype except for Talladega and the short tracks. If there has one place that "Jr." has been good over his short career, it's been RIR, the place of his 2nd NASCAR victory. He comes back to RIR with a respectable 136.50 RIR average. Secondly, he ran very well at both Bristol races this year (170 and 121 points) and at Martinsville (160 points). RIR and Talladega represent "Jr.'s" best chance of reaching victory lane for the rest of the year.
1st - Tie, Rusty and "Jr."
3rd - Tony Stewart
4th - Jeff Burton
5th - Ryan Newman
Ken Shafer
SideWays:
Well it looks like our hunch was right for Darlington. We thought the "boy blunder" would be stout and he was. It seems like this track suits him. What can you say except I guess he can hide his "traction control devise" better than others! A little less than sincere, we are!
OK back to the track with multiple personalities. Yes Richmond a track that seemed to have a surface problem the last time we were here. Of course NASCAR did what they usually do to fix things. Nothing!
This used to be a great place to race. Well, used to be! They say it's better, that is Mikey said it was. We'll see.
We find it hard to pick against Tony. He seems to like this place. But this nagging voice inside all of us here at the shop says it's lunchtime!…. Then it says "Lil E".
While we think the relationship between the Eury's and JR. is somewhat strained, they will get it together here. That being said it's time for DEI to play the crew switch game. If not now at least for next year.
Heather:
Okay, now that he finally won, I'm off the Jeff Gordon bandwagon (but could return at any time). My sentimental favorite pick last week [at Darlington] didn't work out (Steve Park; thanks to John Andretti - I know, it was an accident, and wasn't John's fault). So who am I picking this week?...
Rusty Wallace. He's due. It's time to get his first win of the year and keep the streak alive. He's still mad about Bristol - and on a mission. Plus he's one of the "No Bull" drivers, so he has even more incentive to win on Saturday night. Therefore, I predict Rusty Wallace will be the one standing in Victory Lane.
Don:
Last week I followed the ole' gut instinct and picked Jeff Gordon to repeat and win at Darlington. My gut this week tells me to go with Tony Stewart to win at Richmond but some incessant logic tells me to pick as follows:
1. Jimmie Johnson- Jimmie has had his share of bad luck and he's due to get the illusive third win.
2. Tony Stewart- Tony seems to own Richmond as of late but he's also been experiencing funky little things that seem to keep him from Victory Lane. Prove me wrong Tony.
3. Jeff Gordon- His team has lit the flames on the DuPont Chevy but his afterburner will fail him this week.
4. Kevin Harvick- Happy has that gleam in his eye and runs well at Richmond. Word of caution Happy, stay away from Todd Bodine
5. Jimmie Spencer- Jimmie's Busch win at Bristol has him fired up and I look for him to break out of his slump.
Ones To Watch: Ryan Newman, Rusty Wallace, Johnny Benson, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte
Don
Rob:
Steve Park is going to win a race very soon, but it won't be while I am picking him. I have jinxed every driver that I have chosen so far. The new Fantasy Challenge that us ITPB'ers are in is shaping up to be a good challenge. Plus, there are a lot of side bets going on, with most of the money going to Colton's Charity and the rest to other Charities.
On to the race. I think evryone will be picking Rusty and/or Jr, but my money is on Tony Stewart.
I think Harvick will pull off a strong 2nd with Rusty 3rd.
The staff of ITPB will be hosting a chat on Racers-Chat.com this coming Tuesday. Join us at 6 PM EST and tell us what you think about us, NASCAR and whatever is on your mind.
Alison:
Well, our beloved webmaster, Rob, screwed up mine and Don's fantasy league teams and we got scores of zero. Imagine that Rob, since Don and I finished 1st and 2nd last segment, you stiff us this time. Nice.
Anyhow, this week will have Rusty winning and getting that monkey off his back.
Mikey will come in 2nd.
And 3rd should be none other than Mark Martin as he takes 2nd place back in the points race.
Bethann:
Well looky looky I picked the winner for Darlington! What a way
to start out the last Segment. I knew once Gordon got that first
win
under him he was going to be hard to beat. I'm not quite sure who
to pick for Richmond, but the drivers that you want to be watching
for are:
Jeff Gordon (Watch out, he can smell that Championship),
Ryan Newman (Hey he is good everywhere else, even places Rookies
shouldn't run well. i.e Darlington)
Dale Earnhardt Jr (He hasn't had the best of years, but sp far he
has done well on the shorter tracks, so throw him in there.)
Kevin Harvick (I love watching this guy on short-tracks. You never
know what to expect next.)
Rusty Wallace (He needs to win a race to keep his streak alive, this
could be the race he does it.
So, who am I gonna pick? Well I know I really should pick Gordon,
cause he is on a hot streak and he could certainly make it 3 in
a row, but I'm hoping that doesn't happen. So, from those 5 drivers
I am going to pick.......Harvick. Don't ask me why, just a hunch.
Come on Kevin don't let me down, at least get me some decent points
if you don't win!
As always, enjoy the full slate of racing this weekend and lets all
hope for a safe, competitive, exciting race. Take care everyone!
Arnie:
My picks are Tony Stewart to win. He likes this track and runs well here.
2nd Mark Martin, He likes short tracks too and does well if he doesn't get caught up in someone else's mess.
3rd Rusty. He always does great on short tracks.
4th Kurt Busch. He is still very strong in his Ford and is always a threat.
5th Matt Kenseth. He is in the right car and with the right team.
LAST WEEK"S WINNER- Jim Pierson:
Them Toons will have to wait one more year for a win.
1st-#20-Tony Stewart
2nd-#2-Rusty Wallace
3rd-#29- Kevin Harvick
4th-#24-Jeff Gordon
5th-#88-Dale Jarrett
The Handyman, our resident Fill-in.
going to try somethig a little different this week going way out in turn four are you could say in left field.
1-32
2-24
3-12
4-48
5-29
maybe what do you think ? 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.
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