Half way check point

If I do have any regular readers, I do apologize on the absence of analysis thus far throughout the Chase. Therefore I'll wrap up the entire first half of the Sprint Cup Chase in this one entry. I do have a copy of my original pre-season predictions (done before January Daytona Testing) so if you want a copy of all my predictions (which ended up being a fair ways off) send an email to DTsGarage@gmail.com

The Chase so far: Mostly I want to focus on the fact the Roush Powerhouse is back again, after seemingly taking two years off and having problems adjusting to the new car, they're on their game. There is a reason Greg Biffle was originally tabbed to take over for Mark Martin [who supposedly entered retirement way back in 2005]. From the first 3 races (New Hampshire, Dover and Kansas) I had a hunch there was going to be a flashback type of chase, back to the early 2000's I was expecting it to come down to Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle. A clash as epic as they used to have as one of the most heated rivalries in recent memory (from any sereies).
Two notes on that, first of all, I don't think that's going to happen after Talladega and Lowe's. It seems though that Harvick is not destined to ever get along with the Roush drivers, as a new rivalry, for lack of a better term, seemed to have come about in the garage area in Charlotte (pictures available at ESPN.com)

As the Chase moves on, I don't expect much change. Jimmie Johnson will not win a 3rd title (this year) but I see it being a showdown between Johnson, Harvick and Burton. The Gibbs bunch won't resurface until mid-season of '09. I will for sure get an update after M'Ville but look for it to be Gordon, Johnson and Bowyer up towards the front of the pack today.

True Contenders:
Jimmie Johnson - He's not done yet, but I'm not sure if he has the magic he's had the last two season.
Jeff Burton - He's going to win a championship before he retires, this year or next are probably his two best bets

Greg Biffle - he has a chance to make up some ground at Atlanta, Texas and Miami, only problem is the guys in front of him are strong there too.


Fightin' Chance:

Carl Edwards - his chase is probably over, he's under too much stress (Banzai move at Kansas) and it always seems when someone gets in a large or much publicized altercation with another driver it puts a gimp in their season. (This will sound childish, but he started it)

Clint Bowyer - He didn't start the chase off as brilliantly as last season, but still has had good finish. Next year a Cherrios car may be leading the pack (especially if Gil Martin isn't his crew chief anymore)

Kevin Harvick - Barley got in this category. He has no DNFs and is consistent, he too will win a championship before he retires, but it most likely won't be this year. He's strong at the rest of the tracks so he may be able to make a charge.


Destiny Controlled Partially by others:

Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
only becasue I can't ever count these guys out.

Lookin' toward '09:

Kyle Bush - if I would've had more time to publish my (half-written) story, "bye-bye Bush" you'd know that I called his failure in the chase, two reasons primarily 1) he's not too great on any of the tracks and 2) everyone else was bound to catch up with him. Although, I'll be honset, I didn't expect him to do this poorly; let's see if '08 was a fluke, or if the M&M's team will be just as strong next year

Dale Earnhardt, Jr - He's had his adjustment year, he's one to keep an eye on for next season, still the most overrated driver in NASCAR

Matt Kenseth- He seems to be the token 'choker' of NASCAR's 'post-season' style of championship

Denny Hamlin- he said it several weeks ago, they're done ( I think that was prechase, but what a fortune teller). I'll be the one to say it. Denny Hamlin will most likely never be a champion. He'll contend, but it will be a series of events that will lead to that. In my most honest opinion, his rookie season was a fluke. He can drive, but he's not championship caliber, at least, not in my mind and/or at this time.