A Chase without Junior
I knew it was coming, long before the engine on the No. 8 decided it was running instead in the Chevy Rock & Roll 397. Unless Junior decides to run up front for the next 10 races, you're not going to see much of him until 2008.
Which is fine. It was a tiring season to be a Junior fan. Where's he going to race next year? Will he get the No. 8? Who's his sponsor going to be? His crew chief? Will DEI implode without him? Will he win a freakin' race? Too many questions, not enough answers.
So now I'm in the market for a substitute Chase driver. I'd pick Kenny Wallace, everyone's favorite sub, but sadly, he's not in the Chase.
So here are my candidates:
Jimmie Johnson: Last year's champ. Too easy.
Jeff Gordon: Four-time champ. Also too easy.
Tony Stewart: Here, kitty, kitty, kitty. Possible.
Carl Edwards: Aw, shucks, I kind of like ol' Carl.
Kurt Busch: Are you kidding?!
Denny Hamlin: Hometown boy (Richmond, Va.). Black car. Another possibility.
Martin Truex Jr.: Two-time Busch champ, but he probably doesn't have a shot. Definitely an underdog.
Matt Kenseth: A great driver, but still too vanilla. Next.
Kyle Busch: See "Kurt Busch."
Jeff Burton: Another Virginian. Hate that AT&T logo, though - the blue and orange just aren't working here.
Kevin Harvick: Porcupines are less prickly. Still, he's the direct descendant of the No. 3
Clint Bowyer: Another longshot underdog, but he drivers a black car.
I'm tempted to go with Bowyer, mostly because I think he needs a fan or two (and he's a pretty good driver). But I'm also a fair-weather opportunist, so I want someone with a chance to win the thing. That tilts my choice toward Stewart and Hamlin. Burton, another Virginian, is also in the mix.
So who's bandwagon should I jump on?
Comments (1)
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There's a Jr. in the Chase.
As long as Teresa makes sure he's getting the good engines I like his chances because they are going to several of his good tracks.
Posted on September 12, 2007 2:54 PM