[Bob Tanner]

OK, here's something we can discuss and hopefully not tread on too many toes: Who will be the first regular Cup driver to lose his ride this season, and when?

Here are four possibles, which my personal thoughts:

1. David Ragan #6 AAA Ford
He wasn't too impressive in his outing last season, and lost a lot of potentially helpful friends at Martinsville. He's racing at Daytona only by the grace of NASCAR; he wasn't approved to run super speedways until after the end of last season. High profile ride and a relatively untried driver isn't usually a good mix. Roush has Travis Kvapil in the wings just aching to take the ride.

2. Sterling Marlin #14 Waste Management Chev
Sterling's never really recovered his form from his being taken out of the seat when he was in a position to win it all, after he broke his back. Lackluster performance last season. MB2 is now Bobby Ginn Racing and Ginn wants a winner. Another factor is that the car is 36th in owner points so Marlin'll have to either qualify, or race his way into the field. Shouldn't be a big problem at Daytona but a potential massive problem in the next five races. Sterling is old school and has old school pride. I feel that he is capable of just saying, "Running in the back just ain't whut I want. I quit."

3. Jamie McMurray #26 Ford
Very high profile defection from Ganassi to Roush. Broke his contract in the name of expediency, which says a lot about Jamie's charactor. One 2nd, one 3rd, one 5th and four 6-10th finishes wasn't what The Cat in the Hat had in mind when McMurray came to Roush. This is another seat which mind wind up supporting Kvapil's butt.

4. A.J. Allmendinger #84 Toyota
You can't help but like the kid. Loads of personality, gives good interview, trophy wife, who is a doc, of sorts, plus he has a ton of desire. But, can he actually drive a race car with fenders? Daytona testing wasn't especially happy and Vegas was a two-cars-destroyed disaster. A.J.'ll have to qualify his way into the first six races and is that realistic? I'd love to see the kid make it but I'm betting that if he's not the first to go, he'll be the second.

Anyone have any other possibilities? Thoughts?

[BringBackWilkesboro]

I don't think McMurray is in immediate danger, but Allmendinger, Ragan and Marlin are real possibilities. I cant think of any others that may be in trouble, except possibly Dave Blaney.

[Souporscotty]

Dave Blaney. I don't see Toyota ant Cat putting up with consistant mediocracy.

[trollmc08]

Ragan could possibly be the first to lose his ride and a lot of other peoples in the BIG ONE at Daytona. Me thinks inexperience and a super speedway adds up to disaster.

[Hassan]

I think A.J Allmendinger will be the first to walk out, after wrecking the whole RedBull's fleet.

McMurray suffered because of moving to a new team and a new manufacturer, he struggled last year but he wasn't that bad, I think he'll run better this season.

I still dunno why did Jack Roush picked David Regan to fill up Mark Martins seat, I thought he'd choose Todd Kluever but I was surprised, all I can say is that Jack Roush saw something special about David Regan so we'll just wait and see.

I have nothing to say about Sterling Marlin, he's just getting old and his racing spirit is fading by the time goes on, same case to Kyle Petty, I think both of them will run a part-time schedule by 2008.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Hassan

I think A.J Allmendinger will be the first to walk out, after wrecking the whole RedBull's fleet.

I agree. He has no "stock car" experience, and it's been hard for him to get that experience because he's torn up alot of equipment in testing. A new team like RBR can't afford to have this keep happening. If he doesn't prove that he can at least drive one of these cars soon, he's gone.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

I don't think McMurray is in immediate danger, but Allmendinger, Ragan and Marlin are real possibilities. I cant think of any others that may be in trouble, except possibly Dave Blaney.

I'm betting that Blaney will finish the season in 14th, 15th or 16th place.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I'm betting that Blaney will finish the season in 14th, 15th or 16th place.

I certainly hope so. Maybe a win too? I like to see the USAC and WoO guys do good (most of them). Blaney is overdue and deserving in my opinion.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

I like to see the USAC and WoO guys do good (most of them).

unlike that loser Kinser

what a joke he turned out to be

some guys need to always be big fish in little ponds.......he came up to the big pond and the sharks bit him

[tbalt]

My guesses would be Stremme, Mcmurray if he doen't shape up but I thinks Marlin will be the winner.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

Dave Blaney. I don't see Toyota ant Cat putting up with consistant mediocracy.

Then why does Toyota have Mikey as their flag waver? He is the poster boy for mediocrity.

I agree with Stemme being amongst the first to get the boot.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Then why does Toyota have Mikey as their flag waver? He is the poster boy for mediocrity.

That would be because of big brother DW and Mikey has a major sponsor in NAPA.

[Lefturn]

Like it or not I think they are buying into Mikey as a personality rather than a driver. He proved he could win in quality DEI iron, but after leaving he had a dismal year. In his early career he was not in top quality cars but that being said, he was certainly not a winner.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

That would be because of big brother DW and Mikey has a major sponsor in NAPA.

.... and that my friends is the only reason they have him !!!!

[Gr8RaceFan]

Originally Posted by Quality88

That would be because of big brother DW and Mikey has a major sponsor in NAPA.

But he is such a whinerrrrrrrrrrrr..........I can hardly stand the sound of either of their voices. I don't see any of the toyota teams doing too well this season. But hey.......I have been wrong before.

Will NAPA stick with him if they dont show well?? Prolly not.