NASCAR Championship

[Myron]

There's 13 races left including
3 short tracks - Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond
4 mile tracks - Dover, Rockingham, New Hampshire and Phoenix
1 restrictor track - Talladega
5 non restrictor super speedways - Darlington, Charlotte, Kansas, Atlanta and Homestead

Right now Marlin has a 43 point lead and despite everything he's onto it throughout the year. Plus in the last 20 years only 2 drivers who were leading at this point did not go on to win the championship. So is he the one to beat?

Maybe but if I can get good odds my money is going on Stewart. He sits 84 points back and more importantly only has 3 drivers in front of him (Marlin, Martin and Johnson). Here is why I like him though.

1. Of those 4 drivers he is easily the best driver at a track <1 mile in distance. Marlin has always had trouble on short tracks and road courses and with more than 50% of the races on tracks that are not superspeedways Marlin could be in trouble. Martin is the 2nd best on those types of tracks

2. Gordon clearly does not have it this year and it will be hard to make up 150 points in such a short period of time.

3. Rookies do not win championships and while Johnson is staying in the thick of things he has tapered off a bit of late and you have to figure the nerves will get to him sooner or later.

So despite all the controversy, Tony is the man at this point IMO.

I'm guessing you'll still see 3/1 on him or so tomorrow but if you're going to bet him this is the time as he will blow away Marlin and Johnson at Bristol - I guarantee it.

 

[djv]

Myron nice write up and I some what agree. The one thing I was saying at work today. Martin. I said watch this guy just keep trying to be one or two ahead of Marlin. Then if Tony is in it. Well those two down to the wire. Martin will be cool. He won't bush for a win unless he has to. He will sit and pick for those top 5's and if he can be one or two up on Marlin at end of the day. he will take it. Marlin had a decent run this week but I believe is feeling the heat. Look at some of his last few races. He is only still in first because guys right behind had same problem in the weeks he did. I believe it's Martin, Tony and Marlin, to the end. Johnson 5th at best. That will get him rookie of year. What we may be able to do here. Use Martin and Tony in match ups over anyone. But not against each other. Just a thought. Of course price will not be low.

 

[redsfann]

:shrug:

 

[Myron]

I stick with my pick of Stewart although Martin wouldn't shock me. I still expect Johnson to come up a bit short and Marlin has lost it. Gordon at 190 points back is almost surely out of it.

 

[djv]

Well Gordon got him self back in the race. Now it looks like last week took him out. Rusty has got in to it with two rookies just in front of him. Both Rookies we have come to see are very good. But i just dont see either winning it. Can both stay in top 5? Yes. But as we were saying above several weeks back. Martin and Tony. Tony just keeps cool he's got it. I believe 4 out of the next 5 races he has done well at all of them in the past. Martin will now have to step it up. Sitting and lurking won't work to much longer. Martin has his friends that will help him some. But Tony has a few to. Jr, Waltrip and his team mate will look after him a little. Park and Tony get along real well to. So it looks like a dog race. But tony has the edge. After the way things have gone for him this year. I hope he wins it going away. Would love to see Johnson and Neuman end in a third place tie. They deserve it.
Then they should make them co Rookies of the year. Those two kids added alot to the program this year.

 

[sandwedge]

i like the co-rookie of the year idea. they both deserve to win it.

 

[Myron]

Looks like this championship is done like dinner. 3 races to go and Stewart leads Martin by 140 points. That means that if Martin won all 3 races and led the most laps in each (fat chance) then Stewart would still win the championship with an average 9th place finish in those races. The only thing that could do in Stewart now is 2 dnfs.

 

[djv]

Myron, only thing that makes me mad at myself. Should have found a place back in August and played Tony and Martin 1 & 2. That had to be good odds in our favor. Maybe you did do that. Well I did not. DAM. But yes you are right in your numbers. I have to think Tony will use some very good judgement. However he loves to race and given any chance to win he will try. That is why many fans like him. Forget some of the BS that happen this year. Much of it was over blowen and the fans know it. Im still hopeing Nascar is smart enough to have co rookies. Unless Johnson or Neuman one of them just finish last few races real bad. Nascar should do it. Those kids added alot to raceing this year. And Bush for a second year kid is really coming up strong also. This is one of Nascar best years. After loosing Dale they need it.

 

[Big Kev]

N E W M A N

N E W M A N

NEWMAN.........Not Neuman !!

My wife is a Neuman...............LOL !!


:nono:

 

[Myron]

Have to see. In order for Newman to win he needs DNF's by Stewart, Martin and Johnson. I don't see it happeniing.

 

[djv]

I don't think Newman or Johnson will win title. Co Rooks would be agood thing. Unless one of them screws up last three races bad. Yes We have a Neuman in our family also. Easy to do that.

 

[djv]

Well Myron 1 and 2. Nailed down two months ago. Heck they didn't even have to race the last two months.

 

["TheEdge"]

stewart and martin it is

 

[Myron]

This year's championship should be interesting. Stewart won despite being in a Pontiac which was clearly an inferior car and this year Gibbs goes with Chev. It wouldn't surprise me to see him win it all. Rusty and Newman go to Dodge which means that Newman will be even better at qualifying :hail

My early guess is that Stewart takes back to back championships although Newman is worth a play also. It also wouldn't surprise me if Bobby Labonte bounces back this year.