[Bob Tanner]

Some of you might recall that back on December 21, 2006 I posted the following predictions. We're halfway to the playoffs; let's see how I did:

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It just before Christmas and less than two months before the 2007 season starts. No testing has been done at Daytona and no real info on the testing of NASCAR's NA$CARmobile. So with nothing to go on except intuition and intestinal fortitude, let's look at the tea leaves and predict what 2007 has in store. Here are my offerings:

Standings:

1st... Tony Stewart He miss the playoffs in '06 and, as General Yamamoto said after Pearl Harbor (an ironic metaphor considering Toyota's entrance in '07), "I fear we have awaken a sleeping tiger." Methinks Tony's awake, y'all.
2nd... Kasey Kahne He just keeps getting better with age. He'll be smarter this year.
3rd... Carl Edwards He has his old crew chief back and Flipper is hungry.
(IF the above three is correct, it'll be a fun season; none of the above is historically a points racer, but rather races to win
4th... Jimmy Johnson It all depends on how he handles the champion responsibilities. If he falls there he'll finish lower
5th... Kevin Harvick His doofus wife notwithstanding, the kid has lots of talent and deserves to be here.
6th... Jeff Gordon New wife, new kiddo, same old Jeff, and same old team.
7th... Scott Riggs A new face in the playoff. Last year, as a second year driver, he finished in the top 18 despite missing a race. This year he's smarter and will finish all the races.
8th... Matt Kenseth Probably will finish higher. The best driver/crew chief combo in NASCAR at this time.
9th... Brian Vickers Will be Toyota's star driver. Has determination, Toyota's money behind him and Doug Richert calling the shots.
10th... Jeff Burton '06 was no fluke despite winning only one race.
11th... Dale Earnhardt Jr. Life, as we know it, would cease if Dale Jr. doesn't make the cut. In 07 we'll all be saved because there will be twelve cars finish within 400 of the leader at the cut. (whew!)
12th... Clint Bowyer He'll squeak in, to give RCR a hat trick in the playoffs.?

Eight out of twelve isn't too bad. With three of the four I missed, I really blew it! (Kahne, Riggs and Vickers). Junior would be there is his crew member could identify COT parts.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Threats to make the playoffs: The Brothers Busch, Elliott Sadler and Dave Blaney?

One of the Busch's is in, one is sitting in the corner with a dunce cap on his head, Sadler is lost and Blaney has a corner on the bad luck market.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

After six races these drivers will have to qualify to make the field:
00-Ruetimann, 01-Martin/Smith, 4-Wahrd Burton, 6-Smith, 21-Schrader/Wood, 44-Jarrett (Champ Prov will save him), 45-Petty, 49-Bliss, 55-Waltrip, 70-Sauter (I might be wrong here), 72-Whitt, 78-K.Wallace, 84-Almendinger, 96-Raines (This also could easily be a wrong guess)?

I was blind-sided by the run Martin has had. I was wrong on Sauter and Raines.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Racing headlines we might see:

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Twelve in Chase?

Nailed this one by way of the back door. I thought 12 would be within 400 points but NASCAR just increased it to 12.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Dale Junior elects not to renew DEI contract for 2008?

I saw this one coming. But boy! Did a lot of you think I was smoking some really funny weed!

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

DEI announces attractive buyout offer by John Menard; sale appears eminent.?

It now appears that this might go the other way and Menard will leave DEI. One way or another John Menard will play a part in the ongoing saga of DEI.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Honda announces plans to enter NASCAR in 2010

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It appears that I might be a year early on this prediction. Believe me, it WILL happen <grumble, grumble, grumble>.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner
Honda announces plans to enter NASCAR in 2010

It appears that I might be a year early on this prediction. Believe me, it WILL happen <grumble, grumble, grumble>.


I hope they run CRV's ... it'll make mine more valuable.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner
Honda announces plans to enter NASCAR in 2010

It appears that I might be a year early on this prediction. Believe me, it WILL happen <grumble, grumble, grumble>.


I hope they run CRV's ... it'll make mine more valuable.

yeah, it'll be called the "Car Of the Day After Tomorrow" or "CODAT"!

Bob, ya gotta clean all those chocolaty thumb prints off the crystal ball before ya peer into it .. but it was a good SWAG anyway.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Bob, ya gotta clean all those chocolaty thumb prints off the crystal ball before ya peer into it .. but it was a good SWAG anyway.

I feel the ones I screwed up the most were Brian Vickers and Dave Blaney. That's what happens when you're predicting and you get "hope" mixed up with "logic."

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I feel the ones I screwed up the most were Brian Vickers and Dave Blaney. That's what happens when you're predicting and you get "hope" mixed up with "logic."

I think you're being a little hard on yourself here.

Vickers is proving to be exactly what you predicted .. it just took TRD getting the engine curve right and now he's starting to show what you and I believed all along. Now he's qualifying well, running near or at the front and passing cars when not. Segment 2 will prove if our assessment is correct.

Don't understand your non-prediction of Blaney. What was it? Did I miss it? Did you miss it? He's certainly showing signs of a front runner, even though he hasn't yet. Is it smoke and mirrors, or is he the real deal?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Don't understand your non-prediction of Blaney. What was it? Did I miss it? Did you miss it? He's certainly showing signs of a front runner, even though he hasn't yet. Is it smoke and mirrors, or is he the real deal?

Blaney, Mike Bliss, and Jason Leffler have all been enigmas to me. All three are terrific competitors, good shoes, and have what it takes. The problem is that though they have what it takes (I feel), it's never "took."

All three have come up what I consider "the hard way," midgets and sprints. Jason had a decent ride with Gibbs but was obviously playing second fiddle to Stewart. Blaney has had only marginal rides and Bliss, to my knowledge, has new had a ride capable of winning, in Cup anyway. (He was CTS champ awhile back with the IWX team) I did predict Blaney as a threat to be in the "Chosen," but his luck is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

In a thread (around Jan.) about Toyota's star driver Many here thought Mikey and Jarret would stand out but I vacillated between Blaney and Vickers. I finally went with Vickers on the basis of his one win and Red Bull money (a subject few discuss but is a major factor in the Toyota presence).

I don't have favourites but I tend to pull for drivers who come out of the USAC/Silver Crown ranks. Coming from Anderson, IN, site of the Little 500 (33 sprint cars starting eleven rows of three, on a 1/4-mile HIGH banked asphalt track going 500 laps! The qual record is four laps at 44.02 seconds!!?? http://www.andersonspeedway.com/little_500.htm), I respect the Hell out of open wheel drivers.

[Racer Duck]

every time I root for Leffler he crashes .. so I quit rooting for him and he's improved .. guess that means I have to stay a non-fan of his for him to do good. that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

Bliss I haven't figured out yet .. at least how I feel about him. the guy's got talent. don't know if his problem (with me) is I've never seen him do anything good outside trucks, or what. whatever, my jury's still out on Bliss.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Bliss I haven't figured out yet .. at least how I feel about him. the guy's got talent. don't know if his problem (with me) is I've never seen him do anything good outside trucks, or what. whatever, my jury's still out on Bliss.

I watched Bliss win the Copper Classic in a midget a few years ago (I'm not sure but I think he beat Lefler). Anyone who can win on a one-mile paved track in a midget is someone to like, in my book anyway.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I don't have favourites but I tend to pull for drivers who come out of the USAC/Silver Crown ranks. Coming from Anderson, IN, ...

you'd think I'd be for the Texas boys, but, personally, I don't like any of them, with the possible exception of Bobby Labonte. but Bobby just doesn't make it up very high on my list.

I usually pick the drivers I root for by how they drive and how they don't drive. If they're young and try hard and stay out of the way .. I notice. If they're older and try hard and get in the way, I notice. If they make the same dumb mistake more than once, I notice. If they're arrogant in the way they drive, I notice. Most in the Cup ranks have talent, not many measure up to my standards. And some that do occasionally fall a rung or two 'cause they're human.

For instance, I like Hamlin. He's a hard working, take nothing off anyone driver, but he also treats them all with respect, races them hard and passes (or gets passed) fairly. I like Edwards 'cause he (almost) always has a smile on his face and he tells everyone how much fun he is having racing and how he still finds it hard to believe he's made it this far and he comes off as a genuine nice guy, someone you'd love to have for a neighbor. And I like Allmendinger 'cause he has a positive attitude, even when things are going bad, he's positive it'll turn around and he's not afraid to accept the blame for his or his team's mistakes.

3 different drivers who made my list for 3 completely different reasons.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

For instance, I like Hamlin. He's a hard working, take nothing off anyone driver, but he also treats them all with respect, races them hard and passes (or gets passed) fairly. I like Edwards 'cause he (almost) always has a smile on his face and he tells everyone how much fun he is having racing and how he still finds it hard to believe he's made it this far and he comes off as a genuine nice guy, someone you'd love to have for a neighbor. And I like Allmendinger 'cause he has a positive attitude, even when things are going bad, he's positive it'll turn around and he's not afraid to accept the blame for his or his team's mistakes.

3 different drivers who made my list for 3 completely different reasons.

I can't disagree with any of the above. However, I still kind of wish Carl hadn't posed for the cover of Men's Health. I know it holds interest for those who are interested in health topics for males but... I just have this sad feeling that to some it serves the same function that lingerie sections of the Sears & Roebuck catalog and National Geographic did for adolescents.

[Racer Duck]

a rookie mistake

[Bob Tanner]

Last year on Dec. 21st I made the following predictions. I guess that it's time to face the medicine, eh?

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It just before Christmas and less than two months before the 2007 season starts. No testing has been done at Daytona and no real info on the testing of NASCAR's NA$CARmobile. So with nothing to go on except intuition and intestinal fortitude, let's look at the tea leaves and predict what 2007 has in store. Here are my offerings:

I called it the NA$CARmobile, they called it the COT. Now it's just the race car. Jury is still out but so far the only thing I've seen it improve over the previous car is strictly cosmetic.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Standings:
1st... Tony Stewart He miss the playoffs in '06 and, as General Yamamoto said after Pearl Harbor (an ironic metaphor considering Toyota's entrance in '07), "I fear we have awaken a sleeping tiger." Methinks Tony's awake, y'all.

He was good enough. Between losing a little focus and the Hendrick teams, it just wasn't Smoke's year

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

2nd... Kasey Kahne He just keeps getting better with age. He'll be smarter this year.

I really missed this one. I don't think anyone saw the Evernham debacle coming down the track.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

3rd... Carl Edwards He has his old crew chief back and Flipper is hungry.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

4th... Jimmy Johnson It all depends on how he handles the champion responsibilities. If he falls there he'll finish lower

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

5th... Kevin Harvick His doofus wife notwithstanding, the kid has lots of talent and deserves to be here.

Also a top ten finisher. I still don't like his wife and have little respect for Harvick, the man.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

6th... Jeff Gordon New wife, new kiddo, same old Jeff, and same old team.

Boy was I wrong. Same old Jeff on a much improved team.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

7th... Scott Riggs A new face in the playoff. Last year, as a second year driver, he finished in the top 18 despite missing a race. This year he's smarter and will finish all the races.

See response to Kasey Kahne. Thrown under the bus by Evernham under orders from Gilette. Riggs deserves better.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

8th... Matt Kenseth Probably will finish higher. The best driver/crew chief combo in NASCAR at this time.

The guy is steady. I underestimated his 4th place finish.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

9th... Brian Vickers Will be Toyota's star driver. Has determination, Toyota's money behind him and Doug Richert calling the shots.

Red Bull was too new and Richert dropped the chop sticks

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

10th... Jeff Burton '06 was no fluke despite winning only one race.

I had him at 10th, he came in 8th. This was his last year in the playoffs.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

11th... Dale Earnhardt Jr. Life, as we know it, would cease if Dale Jr. doesn't make the cut. In 07 we'll all be saved because there will be twelve cars finish within 400 of the leader at the cut. (whew!)

Life as an R&D driver for DEI wasn't alot of fun, was it? There is no driver happier the season is finally over than Junior.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

12th... Clint Bowyer He'll squeak in, to give RCR a hat trick in the playoffs.

Squeaked in, all the way to 3rd. I think I and his family are thew only ones not surprised by Clint's performance.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Threats to make the playoffs: The Brothers Busch, Elliott Sadler and Dave Blaney

<sigh> 50% ain't too bad.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

After six races these drivers will have to qualify to make the field:
00-Ruetimann, 01-Martin/Smith, 4-Wahrd Burton, 6-Smith, 21-Schrader/Wood, 44-Jarrett (Champ Prov will save him), 45-Petty, 49-Bliss, 55-Waltrip, 70-Sauter (I might be wrong here), 72-Whitt, 78-K.Wallace, 84-Almendinger, 96-Raines (This also could easily be a wrong guess)

Fast forward to end of season. I missed on Petty, Blaney and Sauter. Blaney was close to being out of the Chosen, Petty was closer and Sauter is out of a ride. 100% on the rest

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Racing headlines we might see:
Twelve in Chase
Dale Junior elects not to renew DEI contract for 2008
DEI announces attractive buyout offer by John Menard; sale appears eminent.
Honda announces plans to enter NASCAR in 2010

I was right on twelve being in the playoffs. I just misjudged the method.
I saw Junior's split coming, again a bit off on the methodology
Nothing from Honda yet, but it's coming.

Gee, that was fun. I think I'll do it again Christmas Week.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Gee, that was fun. I think I'll do it again Christmas Week.

That was great of you to return to your predictions for the year and give kudos where deserved and to <sigh> on all the rest. I will be looking forward to your now annual predictions !!

Ho, Ho, Ho !!!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Gee, that was fun. I think I'll do it again Christmas Week.

I look forward to it .. but this time, shine up the crystal ball before peering within....

some thoughts to ponder in the meantime:

Will Robby Reiser make a difference as Roush's GM and how will it affect Matt's year?

Will the Hendrick machine benefit Jr. and will the left behind Jr. back up his 2007 season?

Will Tony call it quits or make a half-hearted charge?

Will Ray spend more time at the track or away and will Robby Gordon "join" a team, possibly Ray's?

What screwy idea will NA$CAR come up with to "enhance" the competition in 2008, or will they?

[Racer Duck]

oh, I forgot one:

How many races will Boris not start because of the stupid Chosen rule?