NASCAR 2016 thread

[DaveW]

Sprint unlimited was fun to watch tonight.

 

Other notes:

 

Much is being made about the charter rule and lowering to 40 cars per race. I love it, along with the new overtime rules.

 

Predictions:

Keselowski and junior both have nice bounce back years and end up in the top 4 end of year.

 

Truex continues to shine.

 

Elliot struggles in the full time series in year one.

 

Danica has her best year by far, makes the chase.

 

Penske both drivers in the last 4.

[mikecgrimes]

I really want to see a young guy jump into contention. I was a Tony Stewart fan forever and am trying to find someone new to get behind. Would love to see Austin Dillon win a few races, but if he doesn't do it this year he might just be a middle of the pack guy. A lot of guys who are fun to root against though.

[DaveW]

I really want to see a young guy jump into contention. I was a Tony Stewart fan forever and am trying to find someone new to get behind. Would love to see Austin Dillon win a few races, but if he doesn't do it this year he might just be a middle of the pack guy. A lot of guys who are fun to root against though.

I think Elliot has the best shot (though I think it takes him some time)

 

Larson could have a nice year as well IMO. The Dillon bros need some more work I think. Austin finishing top 20 overall this year would be a nice win for him.

 

3 years down the road I am looking fwd to Cole Custer

[bluechipper]

That Danica prediction is pretty bold. The only way I see her making the Chase is through a gas mileage win. She only had two top tens last year, and she's of course very likely to have a bunch of 36th place finishes due to wrecks.

[DaveW]

That Danica prediction is pretty bold. The only way I see her making the Chase is through a gas mileage win. She only had two top tens last year, and she's of course very likely to have a bunch of 36th place finishes due to wrecks.

I think Stewart Haas starts putting more effort/attention into her team, especially with Smoke out for a good long while.

 

I don't think she gets a win...yet, but I think she gets 4-5 top tens and enough top 20's to sneak in. I loo for some serious improvement on the 1-1.5 mile tracks though. That seems to be the key with her.

[bluechipper]

I really hope that this is the year that Dale Jr. puts together a full strong season and wins the championship, although it seemed like Hendrick fell behind Penske and Gibbs last year with the new rules and everything, so it will be interesting how they stack up this year.

[DaveW]

I really hope that this is the year that Dale Jr. puts together a full strong season and wins the championship, although it seemed like Hendrick fell behind Penske and Gibbs last year with the new rules and everything, so it will be interesting how they stack up this year.

Yeah I would love to see Dale Jr win one. He actually had a great year last year. I think some tweaks need to made to the chase as well. It shouldn't come down to one race, I think it should come down to 6 guys with 3 races left.

[bluechipper]

 

Yeah I would love to see Dale Jr win one. He actually had a great year last year. I think some tweaks need to made to the chase as well. It shouldn't come down to one race, I think it should come down to 6 guys with 3 races left.

Yeah I have mixed feelings on the championship coming down to just one race. I like the game 7 feel that they're going for though, and the final race in each round is usually pretty entertaining. This is definitely better than old 10 race format.

[bluechipper]

Just wanted to get it on the record before the season starts, my pick for the championship is Brad Keselowski winning title #2.

 

I'll take Dale Jr. in the Daytona 500 after watching how impressive he was in the Duel tonight.

[DaveW]

Just wanted to get it on the record before the season starts, my pick for the championship is Brad Keselowski winning title #2.

 

I'll take Dale Jr. in the Daytona 500 after watching how impressive he was in the Duel tonight.

Love the Keselowski pick! He is my fav driver by far.

 

Yeah Dale is the hands down favorite to win Daytona, he is awesome at the track

[bluechipper]

What a bs race that was today. Jimmie Johnson had about the 5th best car, but I can't believe how he catches so many breaks.

 

And that overtime rule is just terrible. Why would they put a line on the back stretch that could end the race before the white flag even comes out? That makes no sense to me at all.

[DaveW]

Yeah the overtime rule is stupid as hell. Just make them get to the white flag no matter what, at that point, next flag ends it. A wreck on turn three shouldn't "end" the race. Pretty sure Junior would have ran him down.

 

I mean I hate the #48, but it was as smart win by the crew chief. It is what it is i guess.

Boring as hell race though. Cautions are a good thing.

[bluechipper]

Great comeback win for Brad Keselowski in Las Vegas today. And with some really interesting weather out there too.

[DaveW]

What a win by my boy Brad Keselowski! I have been to 7 of the last 9 races in Vegas, I missed this year and 2014....the only two times my favorite driver has won. Luckily I had a buddy toss on $100 for Brad this year at 8:1 odds.

Helluva race overall, very exciting to watch. 1000x better than last weeks snoozefest.

[DaveW]

10 races left to the chase. Been a fun season so far, lots of winners and nobody really dominating across the board. It was great to see Smoke get a win and get into the chase, this sport is better when Tony Stewart is relevant.

 

Back to Daytona this week, I think this is Dale Jr's race to lose. Obviously everything at Daytona is a coinflip, but if Dale can avoid the wrecks early he should be able to pull off the W and stamp his place in the chase.

 

My longshots this week (30:1 odds+) are Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney.