Time to pick National Champs...
 

Seems like there is usually a thread by this point of the year since there are only two divisionals and two nationals to go...somebody more creative may create a poll but just wanted to cast my votes...Morehead for SS and Burton for Stock (although I'd never count out a Richardson).

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Burton = Stock National Champ

Mandella= Super Stock National Champ

: )

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Fletcher - Stock
Morehead - S/S
Comp - Ackerman (long shot)

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Hey Biondo, was the comp pick meant to be funny?

Your not that funny.

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BTW.. I am funny. Ask Jack.

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Sal - You may be funny but my year end bonus check is bigger ...............

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Is Brad Z going to try to make a run at it he's still got some to claim and is close in second
according to ND I got this week.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

For Stock, Brad B. is in a great spot with one more div. to improve on, but Edmond R. is only 13pts. back with 2 div.'s to improve on. Furthermore, Leo G. is within 90pts. of Brad and he has 1 more nat., plus the 2 div.'s that he can improve on. My long shot would be Div. 5's Trista H.

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Brad Burton is my pick

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You all know I'm going with Private Ryan for SS.
I like Leo for Stock.
Pulling for the local boys.

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Ryans in a great spot that's for sure, however I'd hope (if I was him), that A. Lincoln M. doesn't get to travel southwest from home (plus be gone for these next three wknds...especially the first and last of them), because with him being only 7pts. out of 1st, and having 3 races to improve on (minor for two of his div's), if he can go to Noble & do both Vegas races ( just a 2nd rnd win at either of the div. races, provided Ryan adds no more pts. to his count), then Div. 1's logo will be his national logo!!!

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I don't think Ryan is done yet. And I know Leo isn't.

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You're right that Ryan isn't done yet, however he needs to win 3rnds (or more) to improve on his worst two divisionals, while A. Lincoln needs to improve on a 1st rnd win and a 2nd rnd win in these last two div.'s.

Leo's chances are very good too, because he can improve on his weakest 2 div.'s and his weakest 1 nat. these next 3wknds. However, Edmond is in a better spot with two divisionals left, and a 72pt. lead over him. However, Bad Brad can make it tough on everyone behind him by either going to Noble, or (most likely) 'Vegas and winning the div. , since he'd block Leo from doing it (provided Edmond, Jody, Rusty, Fletch., or several others don't reel them both in? Advantage Edmond, but with Fletch having 453 and he travels well (wish I could afford to with my own car), plus he has two more div.'s to improve on, it won't be over 'till it's over.

I know Ryan is likely in Noble, but is Leo? He needs to be, because I won't be surprised to see Edmond, Rusty, or Fletch there!!!

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

We will find out who all is there after 1st rd of qualifying, if it's quit raining.

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Well since Ryan towed all the way to Georgia last weekend, I'm willing to bet that he's there. Someday I hope/pray to have such a budget so as to travel like that, because '08 was my best year in Stock to date, and I only finished in a 3-way tie for 29th (31st officially). :(

Will you be going to 'Vegas with your truck Floyd? If so, then good luck to you...I won't, because my car is in hibernation until next season.

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I'm thinking about it but Brian say's that's a tuff race. Maybe one time trial and then eliminations. I don't have a throttle stop so I'd have to adjust with the pedal. I do think it would be fun though I haven't run sst yet. I've been doing d/gas in the heritage series with my 4000 lb pump gas hay hauler. If I can pit with him I'll go. I want to keep tabs on them.
Yes, they are in Noble. I just hope they don't run out of coors light before the race is done.
Rain can sure screw up a race schedule. My son had the finals in his VW association last weekend and we never got on the track. Monday wasn't an option. Hey, shyt happens!
WalMart is going to be very popular tonight.

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

[QUOTE=Floyd Staggs;217865]I'm thinking about it but Brian say's that's a tuff race. Maybe one time trial and then eliminations.

Yes it is a tuff race, I know I'm bummed that in 2008 I had a good shot of winning the first round, because I planned on running my last time run from Sat. afternoon as my dial, but during the burnout I popped one of my slicks :( , so that ruined that race, and the year before I popped another slick during time trials. However, since I grew up racing in Denver, the altitude and the wind speed changes I was pretty used to, I just had crummy luck.


I do think it would be fun though I haven't run sst yet.

I agree that it's fun to race there ('Vegas), and thanks to the new bridge they built in the Hoover Dam, it's going to be much easier (and quicker), to get there from Phoenix!

Yes, they are in Noble. I just hope they don't run out of coors light before the race is done.

That would be a bummer to run out of Coors, but make sure you bring plenty of brats with you, 'cos that's the perfect way to wind down qualifying day!!!

Rain can sure screw up a race schedule.

I know that for sure from racing there back in May of '96...it had rained @ Noble over night and into the morning, however it went away by 9-9:30, so the rest of the race day was able to be successfully run. Good luck with whatever you decide...

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Got 2 weeks to decide. I think the truck is ready to go. Just got to put a little wax on it. Can't go looking dingy.
You have a good one. I gotta wait for the DRC reports tomorrow.

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Moorehead out in rd 1. Ryan out in rd2. No improvement but no change in standings.
Ryan is flyin in stock.

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"The Chosen One" Slate made a move to #2 with 1 nats and 1 div. to go.

If he could have gotten within that .001 package of Keith Lynch, he would have been in the lead.

Greg

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Actually it appears that Slate is out of Nationals. Only 1 points race left. Needs to improve on a second round. Had Noble been 7 rounds he would be tied.

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Still going with Burton, he can improve on a first round National loss and has one more divisional as well (Vegas should tell the tale).

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Yes, Brian you are right. He can only block at the Nats.

Greg

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Yes Jim, I'm going to have to join you on Burton, because Edmond ruined his chances by bowing out early today in Noble, Jody would have to win and Brad lose in the first rnd of the divisional (not likely for that to happen, Jody could win, but I sincerely doubt Brad will be a rnd 1 r.u.!)...sorry but Brads used up his alloted nationals to improve on, because he's reportedly been to five already (besides, he's won Pomona & Denver, plus r.u.'d at Indy, so even if he could've improved on a national the best he could do is add 11 more pts.!).

The only person who has a real shot to catch Brad, is Leo Glasbrenner (he'd have to win both the 'Vegas nat., & div., and hope Brad doesn't make it to the 1/4's at the div.), however, the most Leo can end the year with 626 pts....advantage Bad Brad!!!

Toby Lang, and Robbie Shaw are still mathematically in it ( as long shots), but again Brad would have to lose in rnd one (div), and Toby would need to win both 'Vegas races to edge past Brad...since Robbie's neither entered in the 'Vegas, or Pomona nat.'s, then he's out of this picture.

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As for Super Stock, Ryan's in a great spot, however with A. Lincoln M. entered in both of the last two nat.'s, and only needing to improve on a 2nd rnd div. loss vs Ryan needing to best a 3rd rnd. loss, pretty much it's as though Lincoln just needs to win one additional rnd beyond Ryan, and it's over (from the div.). Furthermore, Lincoln has a national event he can improve on, as long as he makes it to the semi's at the national...advantage A. Lincoln Morehead!

Sal Biondo can rain on their parades, but he has to race the divisional, and he's not entered in either of the nationals, so I question whether he'll be there?

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

First off I would like to start off and say that Brad is an outstanding driver and has a great chance at winning the championship, but to make a statement that it is highly unlikely for anyone to lose in the first round is a little ridiculous. It isnt like this is the NBA and the number 1 guy has the best record and the guy you play in the first round of the playoff has the worst record. You never know who he is going to get. He could get Edmund, Fletcher, Cummings, anybody in the first round. Again Brad is a great driver but against any of these it is a coin toss. You also forgot about slate who is right now just 10 points out and only needs to win 2 rounds to pick up any points. That is what makes sportsman racing so great. No easy rounds, no gimme's. We just have to wait and see.

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Although I respect your thoughts on Brads possible 1st rnd demise (and digress my overlooking of "Slate Cummings" prior to todays updated points posting...my apologies to you Slate), I will also respectfully disagree with you for these reasons:

1. To Colorado Stock/Super Stock racers, 'Vegas is a common track to race at because it's much closer to them then half of Div. 5, so the Burton's have been there alot!

2. 'Vegas is a High altitude track, and thus again a track that Colorado (and Div. 5) racers are very familiar with...Kearney, Ne. is about the same altitude as 'Vegas, and Brad has raced there as well. Therefore...

3. Brad is more familiar with what he's going to encounter there than Slate will be...furthermore his father Scott has been racing for several years, and their cars are so similar, that shared info is plentyful.

4. How can you not feel good about Brad's likeliness of at least winning his first round at a familiar track like 'Vegas, when just this year at the most prestigious race of the year (his first time racing there to boot), that he makes it to the final round, at "THE BIG GO"??
I would feel the same about Brad Plourd, Justin Lamb, and Ryan McClannahan (three other young lions who've tasted the success of many 1st rnd wins), thus I'd feel good about all of them winning the first round at every race they'd attend (especially at a track they've frequently raced at)!!!

Now all of that said, since I digress to have now realized you can claim your best 3 of 6 national events, that adds several others to the mix besides Brad, Edmund, and Slate. Lurking behind (and within striking distance of them), are both Jody & Toby Lang, Leo Glasbrenner, Trista Henderson, and Rusty Hall. Therefore as you said, "that is what makes sportsman racing so great", & "we just have to wait and see"! :)

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

No matter who you have a first round win is never a guarantee. Vegas will definitely be fun and interesting!

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Anyone can be beaten anytime by anyone. That is why we do this, the point that I am trying to make is it is a ridiculous statement to say that he is guarenteed a first round win. I hope he does, I like Brad and he is a great young racer but come on. I don't care how familiar one is with a track or altitude or whatever. For what it is worth I have raced at Vegas and to be perfectly honest it was one of the easiest places that I have ever had to dial a car. Due to the lack of humidity, there is a lot less movement in your dial. The biggest problem with dialing in Vegas is the wind and you know what, we all deal with the wind. High altitude, low altitude, east coast, west coast, whatever. And to your last point, what if any of these guys who you feel an extremely likely to win first round actually run Brad in the first. Now what?

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As was said "Vegas is going to be fun". I won't make the nat'l but now I gotta go to the divisional. Ryan and Leo are both good friends. Leo does my trans work and I've known Ryan since before he was in Jrs. So I guess I'll put the old hay hauler in sst so I'll have a front row seat to really be part of the action. Damn, now I'm getting excited.

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I'm picking Edmond! He only has to get to the 3rd round at the national or divisional at Vegas to improve and he is only 13 points behind!

Patsy

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

To Burton 5809, I'll say...you're right as I know from experience since I've won some races that oddsmakers would've been certain I'd lose, however Brad wouldn't be 1st in national points going into the last three meaningful races of the season if he was a pushover for anyone (case in point his 3rd & 4th rnd opponents at Indy are very successful racers), so I'm giving him some credit that he definitely earned, and if he focuses on the task at hand, then he'd give me reason for my thoughts regardless of who his first rnd opponent is.

Brian, if Brad had to race any of those others that I mentioned, then I'd say may the best racer win, because truly the best racer of that heat would be the winner (or the luckiest, but you make your luck I feel). It's not so much that I'm rooting for him, because I'm also rooting for Jody, Toby, of course my bud Fletch, and Trista, plus Rusty as well in Stock.

Floyd, good luck to you and I'll be rooting for you as well!!! :)

MAY ALL OF THE BEST (MOST DESERVING) RACERS WIN THEIR FIRST ROUND!!!

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

how can you count out the baddest duster in the country... dusty lowell is goin all the way.. he's my hero... good luck out there buddy..

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Go Dusty!!!

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I'm not counting anybody out who has a good shot of winning the championship, and besides, I was hoping that Dusty could make it out west last year when he had a shot at the title as well. Dusty and especially John Shaul (I haven't forgotten that awesome final between John and Jimmy DeFrank in the Stock Final...I hope it's still on You Tube, because that was as great of a race as was this years Indy A/S Final!). Furthermore, they both drive Mopars, and outside of my car, and Malibu's (such as the one Jody Lang races in S/S), I'm more of a wishful mopar racer than anything else...when my budget improves for me to buy one, look out 'cause I love them Belvedere's, Savoy's, Darts, and Coronet's...Road Runners are very cool too, and I know my bud Steve Wann will make sure it's a running son of a gun too!!!

If Dusty was on the entry list for either of the last two nationals I'd be talking about him as well (he has two more races he can improve on, so I wish he was there!)...heck I just wish for the day that I could have a chance to be in the topic of discussion for the championship....with a fwd car, that would be historic!!!

Larry Hill, I said at the beginning that I felt that Edmond was in a great position, because he can improve on two more races just like Brad can, and he's handled the pressure for years.

I don't think I'm ridiculous for thinking that all of the members of the top 10 are likely to win their first rounds...if you all race the way you did to allow yourselves to be in this position that's hardly ridiculous...moreover if you don't approach your first round with the mindset that you can win, then why would you go to so many races...especially several hundred or more miles away...I don't know about you guys, but I race to win everytime I show up, and I know my car can win but bonehead decisions I've made as the driver, and maintenance guy, have allowed me to lose some winnable races these last 4yrs. Before some of you say that I'm being "ridiculous" again, I'll say that reality does keep anyone from winning all of the races that they participate in, but I bet Mark Faul, Dan Fletcher, Edmond & Scotty Richardson, and any others who race for a living, expect to win not only their first round, but all six/seven of them...if you don't go out there with that mindset, then you've defeated yourself before you even got to the line!!!

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I'm going with my ole buddy Slate . I seen him under pressure and it just motivates him even more. In IHRA he has been in this position before and did what he needed to do. Good Luck to all especially You "SlateRock"(nothing personal ,he's just family)

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Heard Edmond's wheelie bars were pretty close to the ground after the round he spun in Noble. I would bet money it was a torque arm bolt that backed out or sheered. Been there done that.

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Bob Frey's take...

http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=218175

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That's quite a scenario Bob put out there. Hope everybody has good luck and it goes down to the wire. Of course I've got to go with Ryan.

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I'm going with A.Lincoln Moorehead for s/s National points available 65 Div. points available 65. Also a week of practice at the same track for his best shot the div. race. Go Lincoln D 1 Wolf Pack, old wolf Tim.