Microsoft's XBox 360s are flawless. Darrell Waltrip is the most knowledgeable mind ever to walk the planet. Last week, I totally meant to pick Kyle Busch instead of Kurt.
What do these 3 statements have in common? None of them are true, but they sure do sound good. Well, okay, two of them don't.
For anyone wishing to follow up on the status of my beloved NASCAR '09 game, I do indeed have an update for you. The darn thing still won't cooperate. At least I had Bristol's excitement to cheer me up last Sunday though, right?
Well, the cars were in Bristol. They ran a race. But it all seemed so hollow. When, after 500 laps, the biggest skirmish of the day involved only Todd Bodine and Michael Waltrip, I felt as if I had just watched a Talladega race, only without a "Big One". It was like watching something as trivial as rain cancel the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. In other words, something was missing.
So, I've gone through the week trying to tell myself that Martinsville will be better. Haha, yeah right. Martinsville calls itself a short track, but very seldom do you see any big wrecks there(Okay NASCAR gods, cast your ugly wrath upon me by proving me wrong once again! This time, for the sake of the fans.).
Will Martinsville produce more than the 8 cautions we saw in northern Tennessee? Or is it southern Virginia? Who cares? My gut says no. My heart says yes. So, I'm gonna go against both and say that we will have exactly 8 caution flags.
Last week at Bristol brought be 2 top 5ers. Not bad, but it could be better. The top 5ers were Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin. Naturally, this means that both drivers have earned a spot in this week's top 5. Also, no Junior-Vickers retaliation last week, so I will carry on that prediction to Martinsville. Now, I had originally thought about picking Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon to win this week. But that seemed too logical. I mean, what would my good buddy say if I actually made a logical pick(No offense Denny Hamlin)? He wouldn't know what to do. So, without further ado, here's my Martinsville top 5:
5.Jeff Gordon
4.Jamie McMurray
3.Jimmie Johnson
2.Kurt Busch
1.Denny Hamlin
Yes, going with Denny for the repeat, and Kurt Busch with a rebound this week. Before I sign off, I'd like to thank anyone who joined the Hopper Fan Club on Facebook. After one week, we already have over a dozen members. If you have a Facebook and you haven't joined, feel free to join the Club! That's all for this week. Have a Happy Sunday!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Food City 500 Preview
Thank goodness that off-weekend is over! I didn't know what to do with myself this past weekend. I tried to get my NASCAR fix in any way I could, but no matter what I did, nothing seemed to work.
I began with sticking my NASCAR 09 XBox game into my 360, in hopes that perhaps I could quench my NASCAR thirst. Instead, all I got was a message across the screen that said, "Disk unreadable!". To this day, that's still all I've gotten. My NASCAR 09 game appears to be deceased. This makes me sad.
Still thirsty for something NASCAR, I channel surfed for awhile. Finally, I came across the Disney/Pixar movie Cars. Now, don't get me wrong, Cars is a good movie. But trying to quench your NASCAR thirst by watching that movie would be like quenching your real-life thirst by drinking a shot of highly caffeinated Pepsi. In other words, it just makes things worse.
I somehow made it through my Sunday, which quite frankly, seemed to last longer than these 4 days since. Anyway, the action at Bristol begins tomorrow with practice and qualifying for the Cup and Nationwide series. But, before we can move on to Bristol, let's briefly review Atlanta.
Let's see, Mark Martin lead from the Pole, and then Kurt Busch lead, and then Kurt Busch lead, and then Marcos Ambrose's gas man went to fetch a tire, which would have brought out a caution anyway, but the crew man is being blamed for the caution, and then Kurt Busch lead. Well, you get the picture.
In all honesty, it was good to see Kurt finally go out and show us what he, and Dodge, are still made of. Unfortunately for me, Dodge's success did nothing to help my picks record this year, although I was still able to keep my streak of picking one top 5 driver every week alive. Yes, Carl Edwards, with his third place finish, was my lone top 5er in the ATL.
Now, we can move on to Bristol. I predict 20 cautions. No, seriously. If Atlanta can have double-digit cautions then Bristol can have 20. Oh, and I'm seeing a little Brian Vickers/Dale Jr. revenge this week. I just don't know who will run into whom. And now, my top 5 picks for Bristol:
5.Denny Hamlin
4.Jeff Gordon
3.Jeff Burton
2.Carl Edwards
1.Kurt Busch
I can't tell you how much I hate picking Kurt to win this week, especially after the proverbial hex I put on a couple of Ford drivers last week. But you can't go on thinking you're a human jinx, even if your most loyal readers hint at the fact. That's all for this week. Have a Happy Sunday!
I began with sticking my NASCAR 09 XBox game into my 360, in hopes that perhaps I could quench my NASCAR thirst. Instead, all I got was a message across the screen that said, "Disk unreadable!". To this day, that's still all I've gotten. My NASCAR 09 game appears to be deceased. This makes me sad.
Still thirsty for something NASCAR, I channel surfed for awhile. Finally, I came across the Disney/Pixar movie Cars. Now, don't get me wrong, Cars is a good movie. But trying to quench your NASCAR thirst by watching that movie would be like quenching your real-life thirst by drinking a shot of highly caffeinated Pepsi. In other words, it just makes things worse.
I somehow made it through my Sunday, which quite frankly, seemed to last longer than these 4 days since. Anyway, the action at Bristol begins tomorrow with practice and qualifying for the Cup and Nationwide series. But, before we can move on to Bristol, let's briefly review Atlanta.
Let's see, Mark Martin lead from the Pole, and then Kurt Busch lead, and then Kurt Busch lead, and then Marcos Ambrose's gas man went to fetch a tire, which would have brought out a caution anyway, but the crew man is being blamed for the caution, and then Kurt Busch lead. Well, you get the picture.
In all honesty, it was good to see Kurt finally go out and show us what he, and Dodge, are still made of. Unfortunately for me, Dodge's success did nothing to help my picks record this year, although I was still able to keep my streak of picking one top 5 driver every week alive. Yes, Carl Edwards, with his third place finish, was my lone top 5er in the ATL.
Now, we can move on to Bristol. I predict 20 cautions. No, seriously. If Atlanta can have double-digit cautions then Bristol can have 20. Oh, and I'm seeing a little Brian Vickers/Dale Jr. revenge this week. I just don't know who will run into whom. And now, my top 5 picks for Bristol:
5.Denny Hamlin
4.Jeff Gordon
3.Jeff Burton
2.Carl Edwards
1.Kurt Busch
I can't tell you how much I hate picking Kurt to win this week, especially after the proverbial hex I put on a couple of Ford drivers last week. But you can't go on thinking you're a human jinx, even if your most loyal readers hint at the fact. That's all for this week. Have a Happy Sunday!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Kobalt Tools 500 Preview
The Atlanta Motor Speedway, the site of this weekend's racing action, holds a special place in Hopper's heart for two reasons. Yes, Hopper does have a heart, believe it or not. For one, it is my home track. I absolutely adore going out to the track on Friday(I hate the Sunday crowds), rummaging around the souvenir trailers and tents, and seeing all the exciting new die cast cars.
The other reason is that, come Sunday, it is one of only a few races a year that makes Hopper cry. Yes, the Atlanta races bore Hopper to tears.
The long green-flag runs are sooooooo boring. Especially when your driver isn't running at the front. And especially when your driver(s) bring out every single caution flag, as was the case in a recent Atlanta race. Which is why I will not be picking a Dodge to win this weekend, or finish in the top 5 for that matter.
You will also not see me predict 10 caution flags again this week(we had 14 last week). Mother stayed away last week(I'm referring to Ms. Nature), as promised. My only top 5er from Vegas was Kyle Busch, who won. So now, onto Atlanta.
Mother Nature appears as if she will strike again. The forecast calls for rain on Sunday. This may actually be a good thing. History suggests that Monday races are more exciting in Atlanta. Also, I predict 7 yellows if the race is run on Sunday(5 for debris or rain), and 10 if run on Monday. And now, my top 5:
5. Bobby Labonte
4. Greg Biffle
3. Jimmie Johnson
2. Kyle Busch(in by default)
1. Carl Edwards
I hope I have not destroyed Mr. Labonte's weekend by calling him a top 5 pick. I seem to have that effect on people(I can hear a good buddy of mine. "Remember the playoffs. You put my kids through college."). Anyway, thanks for reading. Have a happy Sunday!
The other reason is that, come Sunday, it is one of only a few races a year that makes Hopper cry. Yes, the Atlanta races bore Hopper to tears.
The long green-flag runs are sooooooo boring. Especially when your driver isn't running at the front. And especially when your driver(s) bring out every single caution flag, as was the case in a recent Atlanta race. Which is why I will not be picking a Dodge to win this weekend, or finish in the top 5 for that matter.
You will also not see me predict 10 caution flags again this week(we had 14 last week). Mother stayed away last week(I'm referring to Ms. Nature), as promised. My only top 5er from Vegas was Kyle Busch, who won. So now, onto Atlanta.
Mother Nature appears as if she will strike again. The forecast calls for rain on Sunday. This may actually be a good thing. History suggests that Monday races are more exciting in Atlanta. Also, I predict 7 yellows if the race is run on Sunday(5 for debris or rain), and 10 if run on Monday. And now, my top 5:
5. Bobby Labonte
4. Greg Biffle
3. Jimmie Johnson
2. Kyle Busch(in by default)
1. Carl Edwards
I hope I have not destroyed Mr. Labonte's weekend by calling him a top 5 pick. I seem to have that effect on people(I can hear a good buddy of mine. "Remember the playoffs. You put my kids through college."). Anyway, thanks for reading. Have a happy Sunday!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Shelby 427 Preview
Fresh off of another Matt Kenseth win, the Sprint(or whatever it's called now) Cup series heads to Sin City for the Shelby 427(or, something like that). Kenseth has been dominant thus far in the 2009 season, and leads the point standings. Of course, you don't have a choice but to lead the standings if you've done nothing but win all year.
Grandpa's own Jeff Gordon is 2nd in points, followed by Kurt Busch, which took me by surprise. Seriously, I haven't heard his name mentioned all year, except when he spun during the Duel race at Daytona. A few surprises in the top 10 include Michael Waltrip in 7th, Juan Montoya in 10th, and even Clint Bowyer, new number and all, in 6th. Just outside the top 10 include Elliott Sadler(11th), David Reutimann(12th), AJ Allmendinger(13th), and Reed Sorenson(14th).
Now onto what's really important, my predictions. Summary from California: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ was the way to go. The race was slowed 5 times, 4 of those by my good friend Ms. Nature. The racing was boring during green. I might as well have slept. 2 of my top 5ers decided to show, including Matty K. and the Biff.
This week, I 'm going to predict 10 cautions, and Mrs. Nature will finally have no effect on the race. This one will be better than California, and the finish will be better than Daytona. And, oh by the way, Matty K. will win race #3. Which leads me to my top 5:
5.Kurt Busch
4.David Ragan
3.Greg Biffle(In via my rule)
2.Kyle Busch
1.Matt Kenseth(In via my rule)
Also, a little message to JR Nation: I feel your pain. My boy(I will not mention his name) was in Junior's position 2 years ago. Do I feel sorry for you? I cannot say either way. I believe in Karma. That's all for this week. Have a happy Sunday!
Grandpa's own Jeff Gordon is 2nd in points, followed by Kurt Busch, which took me by surprise. Seriously, I haven't heard his name mentioned all year, except when he spun during the Duel race at Daytona. A few surprises in the top 10 include Michael Waltrip in 7th, Juan Montoya in 10th, and even Clint Bowyer, new number and all, in 6th. Just outside the top 10 include Elliott Sadler(11th), David Reutimann(12th), AJ Allmendinger(13th), and Reed Sorenson(14th).
Now onto what's really important, my predictions. Summary from California: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ was the way to go. The race was slowed 5 times, 4 of those by my good friend Ms. Nature. The racing was boring during green. I might as well have slept. 2 of my top 5ers decided to show, including Matty K. and the Biff.
This week, I 'm going to predict 10 cautions, and Mrs. Nature will finally have no effect on the race. This one will be better than California, and the finish will be better than Daytona. And, oh by the way, Matty K. will win race #3. Which leads me to my top 5:
5.Kurt Busch
4.David Ragan
3.Greg Biffle(In via my rule)
2.Kyle Busch
1.Matt Kenseth(In via my rule)
Also, a little message to JR Nation: I feel your pain. My boy(I will not mention his name) was in Junior's position 2 years ago. Do I feel sorry for you? I cannot say either way. I believe in Karma. That's all for this week. Have a happy Sunday!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Auto Club 500 Preview
Last week's Daytona 500 was a disappointment. Not Matt Kenseth winning, but the rain out of NASCAR's biggest race. That and the fact that NASCAR has not changed a bit(talking about the car #88 penalty, or lack thereof).
My predictions weren't too shabby considering ol' Hopper's visions were clouded by the rainclouds. The wreck wasn't as big as I thought it would be, but it was triggered by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a Toyota driver, and involved Kyle Busch. So I was close.
My winner was incorrect, but again, I could not predict a rain out. A Dodge driver did not win, but again, I cannot predict a rain out. Only one of my top-5er's placed in the top 5, but again, well, you get the idea.
I have but one prediction for California, and it ain't bold: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Here's my top 5
5.AJ Allmendinger(gets a top 5 by default)
4.David Ragan
3.Matt Kenseth
2.Greg Biffle
1.Carl Edwards
If you'll notice, AJ Allmendinger appears for a third consecutive week. Why? Because any driver who places in both my top 5, and the real top 5, gets an automatic berth in my next week's top 5. Thus Allmendinger's spot. This is where I take off. Have a happy Sunday.
My predictions weren't too shabby considering ol' Hopper's visions were clouded by the rainclouds. The wreck wasn't as big as I thought it would be, but it was triggered by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a Toyota driver, and involved Kyle Busch. So I was close.
My winner was incorrect, but again, I could not predict a rain out. A Dodge driver did not win, but again, I cannot predict a rain out. Only one of my top-5er's placed in the top 5, but again, well, you get the idea.
I have but one prediction for California, and it ain't bold: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Here's my top 5
5.AJ Allmendinger(gets a top 5 by default)
4.David Ragan
3.Matt Kenseth
2.Greg Biffle
1.Carl Edwards
If you'll notice, AJ Allmendinger appears for a third consecutive week. Why? Because any driver who places in both my top 5, and the real top 5, gets an automatic berth in my next week's top 5. Thus Allmendinger's spot. This is where I take off. Have a happy Sunday.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Daytona 500 Preview
Before I begin with the NASCAR stuff, I'd like to take the time to officially, officially wrap the NFL season up. I silenced all my critics with a correct pick in the only game that matters all season, the Pro Bowl. Yes, the NFC won 30-21. Take that Ruel!!!
I kid. I kid. Seriously though, the Bud Shootout was spectacular. I mean, I wasn't too fond of the first wreck with David Ragan and the rookies. But the rest of that race was insane! I kind of liked the Paul Menard/Bobby Labonte wreck. But not the Menard and Labonte part, just the part when the blue and white #88 went sliding all over the place.
Again, I kid.
Not really.
As you probably know by now, Kevin Harvick won. However, there was no finish, because NASCAR jumped the gun on throwing the caution flag(it's kinda their thing). That was disappointing. Hopefully, the Daytona 500 doesn't end the same way(I mean, with the yellow flag thing, not the Harvick thing).
That brings me to the Daytona 500. Now, for anybody who did not watch the Gatorade Duels this afternoon, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch came away victorious(congrats Grandpa), while Scott Riggs, Jeremy Mayfield, and AJ Allmendinger raced their way in(much to my pleasure). The winning teams from the Duels resemble that of last year's, when Dale Earnhardt Jr.(Gordon's teammate) and Denny Hamlin(Busch's teammate) found Victory Lane. Wanna know what else happened last year? A Dodge won the 500.
Ironically, almost every car/driver that made headlines this afternoon had something to do with Ray Evernham at some point. Jeff Gordon(winner of Duel #1), had Evernham as his crew chief during the 1990s. Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs(raced their way into the 500) were former drivers for Evernham Motorsports. Their owners(Tommy Baldwin and Jeremy Mayfield) were either a crew chief(Baldwin) or a driver(Mayfield) for Evernham. AJ Allmendinger(raced his way into the 500) is currently a driver for Evernham's old team, which he has sold majority ownership of to George Gillett and Richard Petty.
Couple that with the fact that I picked Kasey Kahne to win the Daytona 500 on www.playerpress.com and you get this top 5 prediction:
5.Tony Stewart
4.Brian Vickers
3.Scott Riggs
2.AJ Allmendinger
1.Kasey Kahne
While it's true that I only(and I use that term lightly) correctly picked 2 top 5 finishers last week, they happened to be Stewart and Allmendinger. So, they were rewarded with a return visit. Another prediction is that there will be a 15-car wreck. Last week, I predicted at least a 5-car wreck, and got a 6-car wreck. A win for me. However, it was not caused by Earnhardt Jr. and Busch like I said it would be, but this one might be. Also, if Kahne doesn't make it to Victory Lane, then another Dodge will. That's all for this week. Have a Happy Sunday.
I kid. I kid. Seriously though, the Bud Shootout was spectacular. I mean, I wasn't too fond of the first wreck with David Ragan and the rookies. But the rest of that race was insane! I kind of liked the Paul Menard/Bobby Labonte wreck. But not the Menard and Labonte part, just the part when the blue and white #88 went sliding all over the place.
Again, I kid.
Not really.
As you probably know by now, Kevin Harvick won. However, there was no finish, because NASCAR jumped the gun on throwing the caution flag(it's kinda their thing). That was disappointing. Hopefully, the Daytona 500 doesn't end the same way(I mean, with the yellow flag thing, not the Harvick thing).
That brings me to the Daytona 500. Now, for anybody who did not watch the Gatorade Duels this afternoon, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch came away victorious(congrats Grandpa), while Scott Riggs, Jeremy Mayfield, and AJ Allmendinger raced their way in(much to my pleasure). The winning teams from the Duels resemble that of last year's, when Dale Earnhardt Jr.(Gordon's teammate) and Denny Hamlin(Busch's teammate) found Victory Lane. Wanna know what else happened last year? A Dodge won the 500.
Ironically, almost every car/driver that made headlines this afternoon had something to do with Ray Evernham at some point. Jeff Gordon(winner of Duel #1), had Evernham as his crew chief during the 1990s. Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs(raced their way into the 500) were former drivers for Evernham Motorsports. Their owners(Tommy Baldwin and Jeremy Mayfield) were either a crew chief(Baldwin) or a driver(Mayfield) for Evernham. AJ Allmendinger(raced his way into the 500) is currently a driver for Evernham's old team, which he has sold majority ownership of to George Gillett and Richard Petty.
Couple that with the fact that I picked Kasey Kahne to win the Daytona 500 on www.playerpress.com and you get this top 5 prediction:
5.Tony Stewart
4.Brian Vickers
3.Scott Riggs
2.AJ Allmendinger
1.Kasey Kahne
While it's true that I only(and I use that term lightly) correctly picked 2 top 5 finishers last week, they happened to be Stewart and Allmendinger. So, they were rewarded with a return visit. Another prediction is that there will be a 15-car wreck. Last week, I predicted at least a 5-car wreck, and got a 6-car wreck. A win for me. However, it was not caused by Earnhardt Jr. and Busch like I said it would be, but this one might be. Also, if Kahne doesn't make it to Victory Lane, then another Dodge will. That's all for this week. Have a Happy Sunday.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Bud Shootout: Let's Go Racin'
Before I begin, let me just extend a warm thanks to all of you who stuck with me through a rough NFL playoffs. Thank goodness that's over(except for the Pro Bowl; NFC will win!).
Now, onto NASCAR season. Saturday night marks the opening exhibition event, the Budweiser Shootout(Saturday 8:00 P.M. EST; FOX). Starting now, I will be guiding y'all through the 2009 season, giving you my thoughts on previous races, and predictions on upcoming ones.
So now begin my predictions for the 75 lap, 28 car affair. I think that there will be a wreck consisting of at least 5 cars(as I will plenty of times throughout the season), and I believe that Darrell Waltrip will refer to Dale Earnhardt Jr. as "Junebug" at least once during Saturday night's telecast. After all, it's been a long time for 'ol DW, and he'll have to nauseate me at least once.
Okay, here is my Top 5 prediction for the Budweiser Shootout:
5. Tony Stewart
4.David Ragan
3.Jeff Gordon
2.Joey Logano(what the heck)
1.AJ Allmendinger
That's right. The driver whose season is on the line in the first 5 races of 2009 will open with a bang. And, oh by the way, that 5+ car crash that I was referring to will be triggered by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch, both of whom will still be mad at each other after a practice crash on Friday afternoon. Have a happy Saturday, and a happy racing season!
Now, onto NASCAR season. Saturday night marks the opening exhibition event, the Budweiser Shootout(Saturday 8:00 P.M. EST; FOX). Starting now, I will be guiding y'all through the 2009 season, giving you my thoughts on previous races, and predictions on upcoming ones.
So now begin my predictions for the 75 lap, 28 car affair. I think that there will be a wreck consisting of at least 5 cars(as I will plenty of times throughout the season), and I believe that Darrell Waltrip will refer to Dale Earnhardt Jr. as "Junebug" at least once during Saturday night's telecast. After all, it's been a long time for 'ol DW, and he'll have to nauseate me at least once.
Okay, here is my Top 5 prediction for the Budweiser Shootout:
5. Tony Stewart
4.David Ragan
3.Jeff Gordon
2.Joey Logano(what the heck)
1.AJ Allmendinger
That's right. The driver whose season is on the line in the first 5 races of 2009 will open with a bang. And, oh by the way, that 5+ car crash that I was referring to will be triggered by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch, both of whom will still be mad at each other after a practice crash on Friday afternoon. Have a happy Saturday, and a happy racing season!
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