Pit Stop Report

I have a song running through my head…”I’m BACK…back in the saddle again…” Thought it appropriate as I still try to get over being sick!

For our fifth YIP, we’re going to take a look at Jeremy Mayfield and Sam Hornish, Jr.

Jeremy Mayfield
In 2001, at a race at Pocono International Raceway, a member of Mayfield’s pit crew gave me a lug nut from his car. I was at that race working as a bartender in the “nice seats”, and flirted my best to get that little piece to add to my NASCAR collection. Unfortunately, that’s about the last positive memory I have of Mayfield!

I mean, dude. He wasn’t even in the top 43 last year. He only had SEVENTEEN starts. Come on. My disastrously inaccurate 2007 predictions pinned mad hopes on him then…but I’m smarter now.

I think Mayfield’s troubles started when he lost his ride in the #19 back in ‘06…and they’ve just continued. So I’m going to go out on a real limb here when I say that in the #66 Best Buy Chevrolet in 2008, he will finish in the top…30. That’s as high as I can bring myself to say. Maybe he’ll at least qualify more regularly this year! I have hope.

Sam Hornish, Jr.
I think Mr. Hornish is about to find out that the transition from open wheel racing to NASCAR isn’t exactly…peaches. In his two test starts in ‘07, he was lackluster at best. Now…stick him in an IRL ride, and he can burn up a track. I’m just not convinced that he has what it takes to transition.

In a recent interview with NASCAR.com, Hornish talked about the luck of having Kurt Busch swap points with his team, guaranteeing him a spot in the big show at Daytona. That is pure luck…with slow times during practice sessions in Las Vegas, I doubt he’d qualify on his own.

Best guess? I think that Hornish is a smart enough driver to adapt to NASCAR, but it ain’t gonna be overnight… I predict at least 4 top tens and an overall finish in the top 25.

Hurry back to see the next set of 2008 Year in Preview Predictions! Next up: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Denny Hamlin!

Until then, drive fast and turn left!

Have you missed me? Sorry to not have a post up since the 8th - I’ve been sick as a dog! I got back from my trip and was down for six - count ‘em - days. High powered antibiotics haven’t even killed this yet…I’m still the walking dead, but at least back in action!

For our fifth YIP, we’re going to take a look at Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Waltrip - one rising star and one flailing has-been.

Juan Pablo Montoya
I’ll admit it…I was very skeptical of Montoya’s entry onto the NASCAR scene. Here’s this guy I’ve never heard of, races once in ‘06 and then comes to stay in ‘07…and actually gave it a great shot. Alright, I’ll grant you that finishing 20th in the season isn’t exactly fantastic - but for a newcomer, it ain’t awful.

Chip Ganassi saw a lot of potential in this former Formula One driver, and I don’t think that foresight is misguided. With one win, three top fives and six top tens as a freshman…imagine what he’ll do in year two??? I’m going to predict that Juan Pablo Montoya ends the year in the top 10 and shows NASCAR that he means business!

Michael Waltrip
Do you remember my disastrous predictions that I shared (after the fact, of course) about Waltrip in ‘07? Oy. Still haunting me. So, uh, Toyota didn’t exactly outperform the competition last year, did they? How many races did Waltrip actually qualify for? *cringe* FOURTEEN?

Let’s get something straight. I like Mikey. A lot. I think he’s adorable and I think his heart is in the right place. But every since he left DEI, it’s been nothing but downhill and disappointment. It drives me nuts, really, because I don’t see an end in sight. I would love to say that I have faith in Waltrip to come back in ‘08, perhaps with another spectacular Daytona 500 win like we say in 2001, but I’m just not that hopeful. Best guess? I’d like to see him qualify for at least 20 races this year and have an average finish of 15th in those races. Unfortunately, that’s my best hope.

Hurry back to see the next set of 2008 Year in Preview Predictions! Next up: Jeremy Mayfield and Sam Hornish, Jr.!

Until then, drive fast and turn left!

Are you getting excited yet? It’s only six weeks until DAYTONA BABY!!!

For our fourth YIP, we’re going to take a look at Casey Mears and Mark Martin - young buck and old uh, nevermind.

Casey Mears
Top 15 finish in 2007…heading into his sixth season in NASCAR Sprint Cup…only one win but 36 top tens…what does all of this say about how Casey Mears will perform in 2008?

I think it says good things! Mears is about to jump into the #5 ride previously driven by Kyle Busch…and part of the Hendrick stable of drivers. Come on now…we all know the Hendrick Motorsports theory of racing - they won’t invest in a driver who isn’t worth his weight in scrap metal! Jimmie Johnson…Jeff Gordon…Dale Earnhardt, Jr…and now Casey Mears.

I think this will be an exciting year for the young driver from Bakersfield, CA…I’m going to predict a top-12 finish, good enough to get him into the Chase!

Mark Martin
It must be the Viagra, man. I don’t know how else Mark Martin keeps going and going and going in the world of NASCAR. His next challenge isn’t going to be to keep it up, however…his driving, that is. His next challenge is going to be “the driver who stepped into the number 8 after Dale Earnhardt, Jr. left DEI.”

Now…there’s no comparison. Martin was winning races when Jr. was still in diapers. And they couldn’t be more different in their approaches to life and racing. But hopping in the number 8 that had become so ubiquitous with Jr. is going to be hard! It was announced yesterday that Martin would participate in 25 races in the 2008 season…and this season will include his SEVEN HUNDREDTH CAREER START. Can you even imagine? I’m in awe of Martin…and I hope that he has the stamina to squeak out a few more victories in the 2008 season. (Yes, I like Viagra jokes…they just fit so well with racing!)

Hurry back to see the next set of 2008 Year in Preview Predictions! Next up: Juan Montoya and Michael Waltrip!

Note: I’ll be on a trip tomorrow so won’t be back to posting for a day or so!

Until then, drive fast and turn left!

Rolling, rolling, rolling…

For our third YIP, we’re going to take a look at Robby Gordon and Kasey Kahne…bet you don’t see those two paired that often!

Robby Gordon
Ah, yes. NASCAR’s bad boy. Mr. Doesn’t Play So Nice. One heck of a road racer but hmm…those ovals are killers, aren’t they? Robby Gordon had another lousy showing in 2007, finishing 30th in the pack. As the owner/manager of his own team, R.G. can no longer complain about his team’s lack of care and feeding…because he’s the only one keeping himself afloat! He somehow managed three top tens in 35 starts last year…but geez…30th?

I see much of the same for Robby in 2008…although Jim Beam has shown their faith in him as a driver by continuing as his sponsor (perhaps they are, ah, sipping their own wares?) there is little cause for hope. Best bet? Status quo. I predict he finishes 30th or worse in 2008.

Kasey Kahne
From freshman favorite to sophomore slump to ah, hmm, marginal increase in average finish in 2007, Kasey has proved to be somewhat of a disappointment as a driver. Although a fan favorite (who doesn’t know his commercials?) he hasn’t really proven himself behind the wheel yet.

Let’s go with optimism in 2008 - Evernham and assorted sponsors continue to have faith in this young driver, and so shall I. Although he ended the 2008 season on a sour note with a scuffle in Miami, I think he’ll be all smiles in 2008. I’m predicting not only a top ten finish for Kahne in the season overall, but I think he’ll show well at Daytona besides. Wouldn’t a win at the big house cement his season? You bet - let’s see what happens!

Hurry back to see the next set of 2008 Year in Preview Predictions! Next up: Casey Mears and Mark Martin!

Until then, drive fast and turn left!

Rolling right along in 2008…

For our second YIP, we’re going to take a look at Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle.

Ryan Newman
Let’s see…the number 12 Penske Dodge of Ryan Newman finished the 2007 season without a single win, but with 9 top ten finishes. Not great…but not totally awful, either. He even managed to squeak out two top fives. But what does that say about this driver, who has 12 career wins and 98 (count ‘em!) top tens?

Well…I don’t have a lot of faith in Newman this year either. In 2003, his average finish was 6.7. In 2007, it was 13.8. Ouch. Talk about slippage! Unfortunately, I think that trend is set to continue. I’m not as optimistic for Newman as I was about Sadler and McMurry yesterday - for Ryan, I foresee a finish no higher than 17th in the 2008 season. I just don’t see that his team has made any super positive changes to put him in a better position for 2008. Sorry, Ryan!

Greg Biffle
I’m much more optimistic for Greg Biffle for 2008. After a lackluster showing in 2007 that still managed to a nice win and six top tens, I think Biffle’s star is on the rise in 2008. Also a Roush Fenway driver, the #16 Dodge is driven by a man with a lot of heart - and that heart will propel him to the top in 2008.

But why? Well, other than just being the opinion of your favorite NASCAR blogger, Biffle has been a part of his team for more than ten years now, and although he has been super victorious in Busch and Truck, has experienced some major growing pains and inconsistent output in Cup. I think 2008 is the year that will end - with the right combination of a fabulous team, a good driver, and just a little bit of luck, I predict a top ten finish for Greg Biffle in 2008.

Hurry back to see the next set of 2008 Year in Preview Predictions! Next up: Robby Gordon and Kasey Kahne!

Until then, drive fast and turn left!

Howdy, folks!

Happy New Years! Welcome to the first post of 2008 at the PitStopReport, where we’ll spend the month of January looking at what the upcoming year might hold for NASCAR Sprint Cup Teams.

For our first YIP, we’re going to take a look at Elliott Sadler and Jamie McMurry.

Elliott Sadler
Anyone else disappointed in what Elliott Sadler’s been doing these past few years? I know I am! Ever since he departed from the #38 and got into his new #19 ride, it seems like nothing much has emerged from this Evernham team.

In 2008, Sadler’s luck may change, as his new slew of sponsors may spend the money that’s needed to get him to the top of the pile. With deals signed with Stanley Tools, McDonald’s, and Best Buy, Sadler will be in the spotlight – but can he take that heat?

My prediction is that Sadler will finish somewhat better than his 25th place season in 2007 – I’m going to bet that he’s in the top 15 this year – and with a little bit of luck, he may even make the chase!

Jamie McMurry
After finishing 17th in last year’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase, Jamie should have a good amount of momentum propelling him into 2008. The #26 Roush Fenway driver is still fairly early in his career, but has had several career wins and more than 60 top tens.

Although McMurry did worse in terms of average finish in 2007 than in 2006 or prior, he still captured one win and nine top tens – and is sure to improve in 2008. My prediction is that he, too, will be in the top 15.

Hurry back to see the next set of 2008 Year in Preview Predictions! Next up: Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle!

Until then, drive fast and turn left!