So Moody made his picks and I promised on the show ( Sirius Speedway on Sirius XM NASCAR channel 90) that I would post mine before the Chicago event - so Here it goes friends and fans - Lets see who gets the most correct after Homestead!
1. Kevin Harvick 2011 Champ - I think he came so close last year, he tasted the feeling. He shut down the KHI race teams to focus on the one thing he wants the most - Sprint Cup Champion. Gil Martin his crew chief is Brilliant at communication and keeping his cool. The team also has fun and enjoys spending time together - Tight Knit Groups at RCR seem to win LOTS!
2. Jimmie Johnson - I felt a little silly betting against 5-time, but they just have not been as strong this season. Then again, folks betting against Chad Knaus could tick him off that he will prove us all wrong...for the 6th time.
3. Jeff Gordon - The 24 Car is strong and I feel I could be making a bad decision to put the 4 time champion in 3rd this season. Gordon has his confidence back and he has NOT forgotten the art of "wheeling it"!
4.Brad Keselowski - I'm thinking Brad will make an aggressive run at the Sprint Cup continuing to surprise us all with his consistency - but he could try a bit too hard in a couple races and end up with a bad finish. But he will try every lap in these last ten races I promise.
5. Kyle Busch - I considered to put Rowdy in the Champion spot - I am doubting my decision as I type this. He has proven more maturity this season, but also shown his emotional un-winding in brief instances. Dangit...I'm thinking I have him too low here....
6. Matt Kenseth - Silent... Look Out - Could be the dark horse that no one realizes is holding the trophy at Homestead because we are watching Kurt and Jimmie knock one another around with bumpers.
7. Kurt Busch - Another one I think I am placing too LOW. Penske is strong but if he has a bad handling car in one race - he goes backwards fast.
8. Carl Edwards - Skinner picked him as Champ - and I think they have lost their mojo this late in the season. Earlier I would have said Edwards all the way. Plus that's my maiden name so always root for an Edwards!
9.Ryan Newman - Ryan is one of my favorite drivers so I hope he or Krissie don't see this!!! I just think the organization is not as consistent this year, but if Rocket Man could win on being the best all around man, driver, person - then he would get my vote hands down.
10. Tony Stewart - Has too much going on , this season will piss him off so look out next year.
11. Denny Hamlin- Too up and down this season. Good driver, good team - just not consistent emotionally or technically.
12. Dale Jr. - I love Jr. so don't yell at me Jr Nation - but he does not seem to like the feel of these cars. But....I think a win could take off pressure. I would hate his pressure.
Below are Skinners Picks!
1. Carl Edwards
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Brad Keselowski
6. Kyle Busch
7. Kurt Busch
8. Ryan Newman
9. Matt Kenseth
10. Dale Jr
11. Denny Hamlin
12. Tony Stewart
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Girls Have at It: The Women of NASCAR go Toe-to-Toe in Better Half Dash Bandolero Race Before Bank of America 500
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| Participating in the press conference from Atlanta Motor Speedway were, from left to right, Michelle Gilliland, Nan Zipadelli, Angie Skinner, Trisha Mears, Patricia Driscoll, Ashley Allgaier, Jami McDowell, Melanie Self, Shannon Koch, Wendy Venturini, Jacquelyn Butler, and Billy Mauldin. |
Katie Kenseth, Angie Skinner, Kelley Earnhardt Among Those to Participate
CONTACT: Scott Cooper, Cathy Hein (704) 455-3209
-- For Immediate Release
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2011) –
The guys will step aside as the ladies put on the firesuits for an all-out, girls-have-at-it battle when the inaugural Better Half Dash gets underway at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the Bank of America 500 pre-race activities on Oct. 15.
The charity race, supporting Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) and Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC), will pit the women of NASCAR against each other in Bandolero cars provided by U.S. Legend Cars International on the speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile oval.
Participants already entered in the Better Half Dash include Katie Kenseth, wife of 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth; Angie Skinner, wife of 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner; and SPEED television personality Wendy Venturini. Additionally, Kelley Earnhardt, general manager and co-owner of Junior Motorsports, will wave the green flag for the event.
“Matt was pretty excited when he heard I was going to race,” said Katie Kenseth. “This is an exciting event for a great cause and an opportunity for the girls to ‘have at it.’ I think you’ll see most of us are just as competitive as the men. Hopefully the other ladies will have a lot of fun racing for second place.”
The Better Half Dash will start at approximately 2:30 p.m. EDT and will be 25 laps in length, with a competition caution set for Lap 15. There will be two chances at a green-white-checkered finish. Caution laps will not count. Starting order will be determined by random draw prior to the race.
While the better half is toiling away in the driver’s seat, the other half has the option to serve as crew chief or spotter for the race, but drivers and crew members are not permitted to make any engine, chassis or suspension modifications. They can, however, give advice.
“I have already started my research into how to drive,” said Angie Skinner. “My husband’s response was you let off the gas and turn when you feel you are too tight. But then I said, ‘How much do you let off and how long?’ He responded, ‘If you knew that you’d be a professional race car driver.’ Can I have a different ‘other half’ for this race please?’
The Better Half Dash purse will be paid to the driver’s charity of choice, with $5,000 going to the winner’s charity, $3,000 for the second place finisher and $2,000 for third. Fans will also have the opportunity to donate $10 to MRO and SCC through the completion of the Bank of America 500 by texting “MOTOR” to 20222.
“What a great and exciting opportunity to help support and raise money for MRO & SCC,” said Better Half Dash racer Trisha Mears, wife of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Casey Mears. “MRO has been such a huge part of our racing lives and SCC is a very rewarding charity that has helped no many children throughout the years. I’m looking forward to raising money and having fun in the racecar. And can someone ask Katie Kenseth if she can drive in reverse?”
“MRO is extremely thankful to partner with Speedway Children's Charities on this event and thankful for the support of Charlotte Motor Speedway and the drivers who are participating,” said Billy Mauldin, president of MRO. “We’re so excited to be a part of this fun event, it’s time to give these ladies the chance to show the guys they know a thing or two about racing.
" Two Better Half Dash practice sessions are scheduled for Sept. 26 and 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Drivers currently entered are Ashley Allgaier, Jacquelyn Butler (David Ragan), Patricia Driscoll (Kurt Busch), Michelle Gilliland, Kenseth, Shannon Koch, Jami McDowell, Mears, Melanie Self (MRO), Skinner, Sabrina Simpson (Joey Logano), Venturini (SPEED) and Nan Zipadelli.
Updates on the race and entrants can be found at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
Fans can purchase two frontstretch tickets to the Bank of America 500, with the best views of the world’s largest HDTV, for just $99. Tickets for all October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267).
For more information on the October races and other events, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
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