Batting .500
We've been batting around 2007 predictions in the previous thread (I know, I know, it's early still.) So what does NASCAR do? Send out the 2006 preseason picks so everyone can point and laugh at the predictions.
Here's who the media picked way back in early 2006, in order of how the media thought they'd finish; 2006 Chasers are in bold:
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Greg Biffle
5. Carl Edwards
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7. Ryan Newman
8. Kurt Busch
9. Mark Martin
10. Matt Kenseth
NASCAR doesn't define "media" as Big Dog David Poole and Jim Utter (remember, "media" is plural) or as some of the millions (it seems), print, TV, radio and online folks who cover NASCAR.
Either way, it's not a bad list. They got five of the top 10 and eight of the top 13 if you include Stewart, Edwards and Biffle. Yeah, they whiffed on the Denny Hamlin (no rookies), Kyle Busch (still too young), Kasey Kahne (he fell off the map in 2005) and the RCR duo (few picked Harvick, and no one figured Burton was going to come back from the dead, figuratively speaking).
But when you get right down to it, the 2006 preseason picks look a lot like the 2005 finishing order, but shuffled and missing a couple of cards. Here's the 2005 finishing order:
1. Stewart
2. Biffle
3. Edwards
4. Martin
5. Johnson
6. Newman
7. Kenseth
8. Wallace (who retired at the end of the year)
9. Mayfield
10. Kurt Busch
The main storylines heading into 2006 were that Gordon (11th in 2005) and Junior (19th) were going to rebound, Roush would continue to dominate and Kurt Busch would do well in a new car. Funny how these things work out.
And when did Ryan Newman go into the witness protection program? Was that before or after he started hitting everything on the track?
Comments (4)
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Wherever Newman went, lets keep him there. He shows 0.00 respect for anyone on the track.
Posted on November 28, 2006 9:54 PM
Matt - It's because he has no neck!! Which means he has no backbone!! That being said, Newman is always the first one to say that he did not mean to punt someone out of the way, it just happened! Whatever!!
Posted on December 1, 2006 12:40 AM
I don't believe any of Penske's drivers performed noteworthily this past season. Yate's deservedly got media attention about falling apart, but Penske seemed to be below everybody's radar.
True, Newman aggravates about everybody, but he certainly always comes across unruffled even when he's on the receiving end.
Posted on December 1, 2006 4:45 PM
Yawn...Good early Sunday morning.
I am currently working on the driver's six month 'scopes which of course do not reach into the actual date the Chase begins.
However...as I have been saying all the '6 season...Ryan Newman's 'scope is unbelievable for '07. I believe he is going to live up to that Rocketman nickname.
One of the strange factors I have seen is Jeff Gordon's scope is very good...and nearly identical to Robby Gordon's. Interesting. There you go John...I gave you a hint before I even put it on my blog:)
Posted on December 3, 2006 9:34 AM