Fantasy Nascar

Pre-Season Picks

With the beginning of each new season, the bets are placed on who will come out victorious. In fantasy sports and real life alike, everyone is picking their favorites and settling in for the 36-week battle which in turn decides who walks away the Winston Cup Champion for the year. This year is no different. While some of the old favorites may still on top, there are many new up and comers than may surprise for the coming season.

So here are my official picks for the year. Luckily I have no money riding on my predictions, just bragging rights in two fantasy leagues, but I have crunched the numbers and I stand behind my predictions.

All signs point to Jeff Gordon being tough to beat this season. Yes, even this non-Gordon loving fan has to admit that fact. Regardless of his laid back and politically correct attitude, Gordon has the skills it takes to race his car to the front each and every week. He will likely have some tough competition this year, but Gordon likes the competition and seems to thrive in it. The reigning champion had 24 top 10 places last year, racking up 6 wins. If he keeps his momentum that he ended last season with, he sound be tough to beat.

Gordon will find his toughest competition from none other than Tony Stewart. Stewart had a spectacular 2001 season, with 22 top 10 finished and 3 wins. He has said he wants to work on keeping his name out of the penalty box and just concentrate on winning. While Stewart's no-holds barred attitude has caused some trouble on the track and off, he is none the less a sure fire threat to the Gordon empire. Stewart finished last season 2nd behind Gordon and I doubt that he wants to stay there. Stewart is one of the new breed of drivers, who drives to drive and speaks him mind against the "evils" that are Nascar officials. His wild mouth and temper cost him a fortune last season and probably a few races, but Stewart is definitely the
man to watch this year.

Kevin Harvick, the 2001 Busch Series champion, will be a force to be reckoned with this season. He finished 9th in WC standings last year after running two full circuits the entire season. He replaced Earnhardt, Sr. after his death at Daytona and Harvick kept his wits and his skills in tact, often criss-crossing the country to race in two races a weekend. Harvick has the skills of a champion, racking up 2 wins and 16 top 10 finished in WC as well as 5 wins and 20 top 10 finishes in 2001 in the Busch series, but often has the temper to go along. He has made fast enemies on the track for his hit-em-and-run driving style and when he can drive clean he does well. He will most likely make a good showing this season, enjoying the "easy-going" lifestyle of only running one circuit.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr will also be a top contender for the Winston Cup glory this year. After a tough year, the 27-year-old is back in Daytona and ready to race. He has told the media that he "conquered his demons back in July" and he is ready to just have a good time on the track this season. Earnhardt could well make an impressive start this season with a win at Daytona, a track in which he has flourished. Earnhardt has 4 top 10 finishes at the superspeedway tracks last year, including two wins, one at Daytona and one at Talladega. He loves Daytona and basically rules the track. Overall, Little E also shines all around. He had 3 wins and 15 top 10 finishes in 2001 and he hopes to win his first Winston Cup Champion this year, or at least end up in the top 5 he has said. The experts have high hopes for the racing legends son, and I do as well. Regardless of standings, one thing is for sure. We will enjoy watching Little E race this season.

Two seasoned WC drivers will also be mixing up the standings in the ranks this season. Veterans Sterling Marlin and Ward Burton should make a good showing. Sterling Marlin had a impressive third place finish in the rankings last season with 2 wins and 20 top 10's and he finished the season in a flourish. Marlin who has had a steady career in WC has never had a season championship and he is hungry for one. He has a good record at Daytona and should be worth watching at the beginning of this season. He has been very outspoken about the "new drivers" and my gut feelings tell me that he will give the leaders something to talk about. Burton on the other hand is coming off of a 14th place finish because of his unfortunate involvement in several wrecks last season. Because of the accidents, he finished last season with 1 win and 10 top 10 places and he should be a safe bet for a betting man. He is steady and seasoned and has the patience to improve his dismal 2001 record, and try to reach what he knows he is capable of. It doesn't hurt that Burton's little brother, Jeff, gives him something else to race for: Family bragging rights.

Finally, the top two contenders for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award this season Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman should be worth watching. Both are first year full timers on the circuit and both are making their names known. Neuman has 2 top 10 places last season starting only four races, including sitting on the pole for a late season rate. He ran in the Budweiser Shootout and while not doing spectacular he was running among the best. Neuman is highly picked to be the rookie of the year for this season, yet I believe that Johnson will be giving him a run for that money. Johnson shocked everyone winning the pole for the Daytona 500 earlier this week. He ran the fastest time as the fourth car on the track, and watched as no-one could catch him. Harvick gave him a close call but no-fail, Johnson became only the third rookie of all time to sit on the pole for the Great American Race.

Again, my crystal ball is broken this week, but the stats don't often lie. These predications are based on the numbers and the records, and my best guesses. I even left out my favorite drivers for the sake of true helpfulness. Gentlemen (and ladies, for the sake of rookie Shawna Robinson) start your engines.