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StumblePublished Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 | 9:22 p.m.
Updated Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 | 8:29 a.m.
I don’t make predictions. Why should I when there are more predictions flying around about the 2009 NASCAR season than there are mosquitoes over a stagnant pool of water?
I’ve heard them all. Jeff Gordon is going to win the Daytona 500. Carl Edwards is going to win the championship. This will be Mark Martin’s year to grab the Sprint Cup title. I’m not buying any of it.
How can anyone predict anything about a sport as fluid as stockcar racing? A flat tire can ruin a driver’s day. A few DNFs can send a championship bid into the trash heap. The failure of miniscule and relatively inexpensive parts can park a racecar in the garage before a race is even half over. Heck, even Mother Nature can ruin a race with her negative karma. And at every turn, the wall is just waiting to reach out and grab its next victim.
As far as the Daytona 500 is concerned, anyone has a chance to win on a restrictor-plate track. It doesn’t always matter what position a driver qualified for, luck or mastery of the draft can send a 10th-place car to the front on the last lap.
Making predictions about racing is like trying to predict when the next earthquake will hit Southern California or where Osama bin Laden’s cave is.
How many times can you think of a prediction about the sport that ended up as true?
The only prediction I’ve heard that makes any sense is that Jimmie Johnson will not win the championship in 2009. The odds are too large against four in a row.
So when my friends ask me for a prediction about the 2009 NASCAR season, I just shrug and avoid answering.
…
This week’s StockcarToon takes a look the conspiratorial nature of some NASCAR fans. Below is one of the ideas I chose not to use.
It's not a longshot for Jimmie Johnson to repeat, just not a lock. I wouldn't bet against him (but I wouldn't bet on auto racing either).
John Force had a stretch of 10 consecutive championships, so it can be done in a highly competitive auto sport. Speaking of which, I wish the rain would go away go that they can light 'em up at Pomona...
You're right, Jimmie could win again. But I hope not. With all of the challenges the sport is facing this year, it needs a fresh face in the winner's circle to provide new and interesting story lines for the season.
I agree 100% and I expect there will be a long tough season, many new story lines and a new champion at its conclusion.
I look forward to seeing the cars back on track (on tv) tomorrow night!
NASCAR unfortunately has become predictable:
-- We'll hear about the 500 being the Superbowl, yet by August, try to remember who won if it wasn't Earnhardt Jr.
-- We'll also hear about how great the racing is, even though the short-track races have become watered down since the introduction of the new "car."
-- Someone will be blaming Goodyear at some point. DW's schtick with the silly gopher will get old by race 3 (making me recall once again how much I enjoyed the late Benny Parsons)
-- The drivers will be encouraged to express themselves, only to be fined for doing so
-- At the end of the year, Johnson, Edwards and Busch will be fighting for the title. And only 8-10 drivers (from Hendrick, Roush and Gibbs) will come close to winning a race.
NASCAR should pray to God that Earnhardt has a very strong season.
He is the key to get them through these very tough economic times.
If he has a strong season it will boost ticket sales, TV ratings and sales of NASCAR items.
It will inject more money into NASCAR to keep it going strong into the next season. Higher TV ratings and ticket sales will bring in more sponsporship money for everybody.
Those are some predictions I can agree with. And NASCAR does need a stellar year from Earnhardt if it wants to see its fortunes improve this season. The questions is, can Jr. rise to the occasion?
Silly little redneck sport. Numbers are going down and no one is watching. At least no one with a ounce of intelligence. Can't wait till its gone.
LV4, someone once wrote "...when people start spouting unsubstanciated (sic) facts and figures I get a little ticked.", which is applicable to your post.
LV4LIFE needs to get a life.
LV4Life obviously you have a whole lot of other issues hiding behind your hatred for racing. I only hope this site gives you the outlet you need to vent some of your anger. You might even think about getting into a contact sport. You know like boxing or football. Work on that anger.
Well said, JPM42. I couldn't have said it better myself.