The Homestead thread - final race...

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by muggle not

IMO Jr wil finish in the top 5 next year.

3 Hendrick cars in top 5...

The Chase is a must for him.

[muggle not]

http://home.hamptonroads.com/blog/index.cfm?uid=85

Dustin Long's early picks for the 2008 Chase. His picks will undoubtedly change somewhat before the daytona 500 next year but I don't disagree with him too much, if at all.

1. Jeff Gordon ... Says he and team need to change to catch Johnson and will do so.

2. Jimmie Johnson ... Shows no signs of slowing but it will be tough to beat a hungry Gordon again.

3. Ryan Newman ... Showed speed at the end of the season and could be headed for a big year.

4. Carl Edwards ... Johnson proved hard-charging style can win title and this guy is among top chargers.

5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. ... Move to Hendrick returns Earnhardt to Victory Lane and the Chase.

6. Matt Kenseth ... Has new crew chief and that takes time to mesh with even if they come from within the team.

7. Kurt Busch ... If pit crew doesn’t improve, he won’t be as high.

8. Tony Stewart ... Would be higher but switching to Toyota could hold this team back.

9. Clint Bowyer ... Showed he could be good in the Chase. Is he a one-hit wonder or the real thing?

10. Kevin Harvick ... Team struggled late. Some of that was bad luck, but this team needs more speed.

11. Denny Hamlin ... Questions about Toyota put him on the bubble to make the Chase.

12. Greg Biffle ... Ran better late in the season, including a win in the Chase.

[Knowlesy]

I'm with all the people picking Ryan Newman to have a great year next year, to me he always seems to be on the verge of doing excellently, but never quite fulfilling his potential.

Of course, he did have a year where he won seven or eight races not so long ago. And he's a bit of a qualifying specialist.