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Playing NASCAR Carnac in 2008 - Quick Change Preview
2/6/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Have we ever seen a tougher year to handicap than 2008? You can't tell the players without a scorecard and this season the changes are harder to decipher too. Perhaps we will need to head over to Funk and Wagnalls' porch and get a peak inside those envelopes that are hermitically sealed. Only Carnac the Magnificent has a clue what the NASCAR season has in store for us in 2008!
Craftsman Truck Adventures
Last year's championship race came down to the final laps of the final race of the season! Ron Hornaday won the championship and this season he gets a new teammate with Jack Sprague giving Kevin Harvick Incorporated an impressive one-two punch! Will these two drivers get along under the same roof? Will the switch away from Childress Engines slow the team down? Will Toyota get back on top? How will newcomers Andy Lally, Colin Braun, Philip McGilton, and Justin Marks come up to speed at this level? Brendan Gaughan's family owned team folded but he gets an even better deal this season as teammate to Rick Crawford. In past years the championship battle was limited to 4 or 5 top choices. This season I can make a case for at least 12 different drivers being capable of championship runs! You better pay for a scorecard to help sort out who is driving which truck heading to Daytona.
Champion- Johnny Benson
Benson could bring home first championship for Bill Davis Racing!
Rookie of the Year- Colin Braun
Talented youngster will come out of the box slugging with great trucks!
Surprise Winner- Andy Lally
This road course ace will show everyone he knows how to race!
Nationwide On Stride
The over-under for mentions of "Busch" at Daytona is 54! (Everyone should adapt our Race Talk Radio penalty, and be forced to sing the Nationwide Insurance jungle!) The last two years this series could be called Cup-lite and more of the same can be expected in 2008. But a couple of new drivers and new teams will try to flex their muscles in 2008.
Will non-Cup teams be more competitive in 2008? How will youngsters Landon Cassill and Joey Logano adjust to this level of racing? Several changes this season will only be one-year investments for these teams with the COT chassis and the pony car bodies expected in 2009. One change that has not been talked about that much is the engine spacer to be used at non-restrictor plate tracks. This will lower the horsepower and is supposed to save wear and tear on engines. NASCAR's goal was to reduce costs but on Monday night's DOIN' DONUTS radio show owner Gary Baker said their engine costs are up 5% this season! Strap in tight cause 2008 will be a rough ride in the Nationwide Series.
Champion- Clint Bowyer
Will have a solid season and hope for issues with Carl Edwards!
Non-Cup Champion- Brad Coleman
This talented youngster will be in overall title contention all season!
Rookie of the Year- Landon Cassill
Only a part timer in 2008 but could hold off glamour pick of Joey Logano
Surprise Team- Braun Racing's No. 10 team
Look for four wins from Brian Vickers, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin combo.
Surprise Winner- Patrick Carpentier
Road course race in Mexico should be a great chance to win early!
Sprint Cup is a Marathon
The best and most unpredictable of the NASCAR series was saved for last! Joe Gibbs Racing switch to Toyota will accelerate that manufacturers learning curve in Cup racing. This season the old "Twisted Sister" car is gone in favor of the "Car of Tomorrow." How quick will teams learn how to make the COT turn on Speedways? Will one team hit on the magic setup well ahead of the others? Is this the year of Dale Earnhardt Jr? Can anyone slow down the Hendrick Motorsports juggernaut? The argument can be made that there are more contending teams for the Chase than ever before. Our 20 voters in the Race Talk Radio NASCAR Top 20 picked twenty-three different drivers in their Chase picks! Last year the experts did not pick Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr in big numbers. (Although I had Bowyer on my pre-season Chase roster!) Who will the surprise pick be this year? Nothing is certain but change in this year of NASCAR racing. Jimmie Johnson is attempting to make NASCAR history joining Cale Yarborough as a three-peat champion! (60% of our NASCAR Top 20 Poll Voters picked Johnson) NASCAR officials promised to let the drivers be themselves this season, but the first time someone acts up it will be fun to see the reaction. In less than 12 days this crazy ride begins!
Champion- Kyle Busch
Chase format will help the Shrub!
Most Points Overall- Jeff Gordon
Will be robbed of yet another Championship!
Rookie of the Year- Michael McDowell
Spots the competition five races but wins based on talent!
Surprise Chaser- Brian Vickers
Last season will be forgotten with Red Bull revival!
Surprise Winner- David Reutimann
Will deliver win for UPS!
FANS SPEAK OUT- Quick Change-9pm ET Wednesday Night
What is the one biggest aspect of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season that you are most interested in following? Make your choice at www.racefanvote.com (Anticipation of 2008 Question in Sprint Cup section) and listen to Quick Change Wednesday night at 9pm ET on www.racetalkradio.com to find out what Mike, Lori, and I say!
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