2000Daytover

Okay, I wrote this long amendment to my predictions, and had intended to send it out to ya'll all before the race....(Did I just say "ya'll all"?) After all the zoomin' last week, I hadda feelin' DJ juuuuust might do okay. Also hadda feelin' that the sun would come up tomorrow. And so I bet my bottom dollar that he'd win. Cashed in anything of value and hocked one of the kids. Put it all on the 88. And I won 6 dollars. Now, if I can just get to Max's Pawn shop before it closes.

And for those who couldn't follow their favorites, I offer these highlights.....as I seen em.

Jeff & Stacy - Gordo broke an oil fitting so early, Jackie Joyner Curtsy was still climbing down from the flag stand. Somebody jumped back up there waved the yellow while they cleaned up all that Quaker State. Finished 34th. A few spots behind my 5th place prediction.

Kim, Paul - Martin threw a shoe 'round lap 80 and made an early pit stop that actuallly helped him get up front. Led at the halfway point (cha-ching) and Nemechek's blown engine put him back in pit sequence. Lost a second place finish when DJ went low. Finished 5th. Jim said 16th.

Doc - Tony Stewart was goin' for some sort of hat trick in the pits. First, a breakaway with one of Bobby's tires.(The 18 team had a couple of tires get away.) Then Tony slapshots one of his own crew. Pick a sport Tony! Finished 17th. I had given him 9th. And as far as your bud, Geoffro Bodine, the old man is part cat. And after Friday's Crashman Truck race, he's down one or two of them 9 lives.

Tony & Lori - Our boy Rusty tried to lose it on those first two pit stops. Somehow wriggled his way back each time and finished 4th; The only prediction I DID get. (Actually, I said top 5) So I took the family out for a celebratory supper. And was in such a good mood I even let 'em super size their meals.

Mollie Mollie Mollie - Get your advice here....
Dump that Bliss and pick another driver, dear....
AJ's gonna end up killing him, I fear...
He fell back early
And was never fast.
Worst of all
ran out of gas...

If you don't remember the "Adverb" song then the preceding should simply be considered the ramblings of a Saturday morning junkie.

Dave - Sterling Marlin.....Sterling Marlin....Was he in the race this year?...Hmmm. Oh, here he is; He came, he saw, he finished. No highlights. I think I saw him get passed once. Finished 24th. I'd ouija-ed a 17th.

Ted - I ain't a clue who for you. Being your a Montanananian, I'd assume some nor'westerner. Chad Little? Maybe Derek Cope?.......Nah, better pick someone southern enough to know how it's done...

As for my own Michael Waltrip prediction....Had ya all worried there for a minute, huh? He was hangin' strong up in the lead pack until Jimmy Spins'er got close. Keep watchin' him though. He'll get one this year. Ugly car & all.

Not the most exciting of Daytonas. DJ put a nice bump on Benson there at the end to retake the lead. That was as exciting as the race up front got. For lack of anything else to rave about I did notice a few other things:

1. That close up of Chocolate Myers in the Earnhardt pits. Yikes!!
2. CBS needs to give up on that Virtual Fritos thing. My old Atari had better graphics. And the simulated pit stop still looks like my old electric football game. BZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
3. State Farm has reportedly upped the health premiums for anyone who works in a Winston Cup pit. It was like a week long bowling tournament. Bodine had a safer seat.
4. Liked the "Baby Bob" commercial.
5. Wouldn't it be cool to show the last 20-30 laps from in-car & roof cams only? Just a thought. I also had the idea to reshoot Raging Bull in color.
6. Will Todd Parrott ever get through puberty? His VOIce drivES me nUTS.
7. I thought Ken Squier was gonna break into a song during his sermon at the end of the show. Holdin' the mic like Debbie Boone....I got choked up.

Rockingham is next. Time for somebody else to make some ridiculous pre-race picks. Doc, your 'expertise' is always good for a laugh. Stacy, write somethin intelligent & let Jeff sign it. Dave & Ted, ya'll are sportscasters... Cast some sports lingo at us like they do on Sportscenter.

And Ted, pick Wode Buht'n. He talks a little southern, but his car's a Butte.... (Hey! Ya'll woulda tried to work it in some way too.)

Jim Nelson