Maybe I shouldn't start this

[20forLogano]

But now is as good of time as ever.  Predictions for 2009?

[skool]

I predict 2009 will arrive some time next week!

[Chris]

Man... I'm gonna make my annual predictions...
But things are so fuzzy, who going where, what teams are gonna be open, or closed...
I got no clue where to start yet

[20forLogano]

I predict 2009 will arrive some time next week!

There's always one or two in the bunch LOL .  I know there is still some uncertainty out there but I am starting to get the warm fuzzies about a new Nascar season.

[KurtBuschFan]

That seems to happen to me after Christmas too.  But I'm gonna wait a bit before I start thinking predictions.  I'll probably need a giant chart just to keep the changes in order...

[Chris]

That seems to happen to me after Christmas too.  But I'm gonna wait a bit before I start thinking predictions.  I'll probably need a giant chart just to keep the changes in order...

Yeah me too...
Gonna need a chart to keep track of "who's in that car",.. "Who drives that paint job, who drives that car number,... oh heck yeah thats so and so... yada yada drove it LAST season."...   

[20forLogano]

Does anyone else think if Dinger stays in the 10 he could be the best car in that stable next year?  I totally think so.  It is an odd year and Kahne in odd seasons is mediocre at best.  Sadler, well Sadler is Sadler.  Cool cat but a top 15-25 driver at best.  Dinger has more natural talent than all of them.

[Chris]

yeah... I agree.
Dinger sure showed me a LOT the last few races of this season in the #10 car.  He just hopped in it and it was like he suddenly knew how to drive.  That showed me he "knew" what he had been doing pretty much all season, just his team / car had been holding him back.  The #10 car had been the 'red-header step child' on the GEM team all of 2008 seemingly being the "also-ran" out of the GEM stables.  He got in that car and ran circles around the other cars those races he ran in it.  Sure inpressed me.

Kahne.  He can run up front,.. but it seems to me he has to get the car "just right".  It looks like to me he can't tell the team what the car needs, can't keep up with the track changes or something.  That car just don't perform near as well the last few years as it did when Bill Elliott was there tutoring him.    To me it looks like if they roll off the truck and the car just happens to be perfect, they can be competative that week.  the more "off" it is when it rolls of the truck, the worse he runs that week.  Maybe I'm missing something but I just get that impression. 
The other thing I see is when the car is fairly close to being right Kasey tries to "over-drive" the car and force it to the front,.. and more times than not he backs it into the wall.  I don't know how many times I've picked him in my game, and he's cost me points by backing the car into the fence in the last couple years.  You just seem to notice things like that... ROFLOL 

Elliott Sadler...well I've just never been impressed with Sadler as a driver.  In 10 years of full time racing he has three CUP wins, and one of those he out-foxed the competition at Bristol - pitted early on hard tires and stayed out and won that race because a yellow never flew again.  I may be mistaken, but that may have been the last wood brothers win (2001).  Sadlers other two wins both came in 2004 driving the #38 M&M car for Yates and both times he beat Kasey Kahne.  I can't remember any of the datails of those events off the top of my head.  One was at Texas and the other at California.
That was also the best year he finish in the points (9th).  Other than that he was 13th in (2005)... every other year he has 20th or worse.  SO no where near any kind of run for the championship.  Just not very impressive anywhere.

If I had to say anything.. I guess I'd say lucky for Sadler not a lot of "talent" has come up the ladder in the last 5 or so years or he'd be out of a ride IMO.  Well, I'll say he'd be one of those just barely hanging on.   Also take into consideration those we have lost over the last several years or so years.. Sadly we lost Dale Sr, Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Rob Moroso, Kenny Irwin and Adam Petty.  What much better racing, and a much more talented race field we'd have every week if we still had all these drivers racing.  Add these six GREAT drivers in,.. and drop the six WORST drivers we have race on the CUP circuit and look how much better the racing would be.  We think we have good racing now....  it would go up dramatically.

Anyway I got off topic..... Anyway.. I don't expect a lot out of Sorenson either,... from reports I'm not so sure he'll have a full time CUP ride because of the economy. But if he does I think he'll do as good or better than Sadler.

[skool]

Does anyone else think if Dinger stays in the 10 he could be the best car in that stable next year?  I totally think so.  It is an odd year and Kahne in odd seasons is mediocre at best.  Sadler, well Sadler is Sadler.  Cool cat but a top 15-25 driver at best.  Dinger has more natural talent than all of them.

LOL   No.....I Dont think Dinger will stay in the 10!   LOL  What a difference a day makes, eh?!

[20forLogano]

LOL   No.....I Dont think Dinger will stay in the 10!   LOL  What a difference a day makes, eh?!

Guess I should have waited right Skool . 

[20forLogano]

yeah... I agree.
Dinger sure showed me a LOT the last few races of this season in the #10 car.  He just hopped in it and it was like he suddenly knew how to drive.  That showed me he "knew" what he had been doing pretty much all season, just his team / car had been holding him back.  The #10 car had been the 'red-header step child' on the GEM team all of 2008 seemingly being the "also-ran" out of the GEM stables.  He got in that car and ran circles around the other cars those races he ran in it.  Sure inpressed me.

Kahne.  He can run up front,.. but it seems to me he has to get the car "just right".  It looks like to me he can't tell the team what the car needs, can't keep up with the track changes or something.  That car just don't perform near as well the last few years as it did when Bill Elliott was there tutoring him.    To me it looks like if they roll off the truck and the car just happens to be perfect, they can be competative that week.  the more "off" it is when it rolls of the truck, the worse he runs that week.  Maybe I'm missing something but I just get that impression. 
The other thing I see is when the car is fairly close to being right Kasey tries to "over-drive" the car and force it to the front,.. and more times than not he backs it into the wall.  I don't know how many times I've picked him in my game, and he's cost me points by backing the car into the fence in the last couple years.  You just seem to notice things like that... ROFLOL 

Elliott Sadler...well I've just never been impressed with Sadler as a driver.  In 10 years of full time racing he has three CUP wins, and one of those he out-foxed the competition at Bristol - pitted early on hard tires and stayed out and won that race because a yellow never flew again.  I may be mistaken, but that may have been the last wood brothers win (2001).  Sadlers other two wins both came in 2004 driving the #38 M&M car for Yates and both times he beat Kasey Kahne.  I can't remember any of the datails of those events off the top of my head.  One was at Texas and the other at California.
That was also the best year he finish in the points (9th).  Other than that he was 13th in (2005)... every other year he has 20th or worse.  SO no where near any kind of run for the championship.  Just not very impressive anywhere.

If I had to say anything.. I guess I'd say lucky for Sadler not a lot of "talent" has come up the ladder in the last 5 or so years or he'd be out of a ride IMO.  Well, I'll say he'd be one of those just barely hanging on.   Also take into consideration those we have lost over the last several years or so years.. Sadly we lost Dale Sr, Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, Rob Moroso, Kenny Irwin and Adam Petty.  What much better racing, and a much more talented race field we'd have every week if we still had all these drivers racing.  Add these six GREAT drivers in,.. and drop the six WORST drivers we have race on the CUP circuit and look how much better the racing would be.  We think we have good racing now....  it would go up dramatically.

Anyway I got off topic..... Anyway.. I don't expect a lot out of Sorenson either,... from reports I'm not so sure he'll have a full time CUP ride because of the economy. But if he does I think he'll do as good or better than Sadler.

This is why Red Bull made the wrong decision with Dinger.  I know they had a lot more invested in Speed and that is why he is in the car but Dinger is there and ready to win.  Guess he still got a decent ride though

[Tyyrus]

Guess I should have waited right Skool . 

Sure surprised me ! I think Sadler will find some use at another Team . He may not be the most talented driver , but does have his Fan base , which Sponsors notice !

[Chris]

yeah.. what a difference a day makes... WOW..
we went from "wondering" if Dinger would have a ride... to He takes Sadlers seat.
Odd though... Sadler just renewed his contract THIS year, and it was an extended contract..??  Wonder how all that's gonna work out in the wash..??
Now I see on Jayski they are talking about Sadler going to the #41 or the #77... (maybe the #10)

Over at NASCAR.com they are talking about GEM and Petty Enterprises merging, and GEM having the #43 seat available.  Then insinuate that it may go to B Labonte.

Totally opposite lines of thinking from two different places.
With car #'s in the top 35 being shuffled around since teams have been 'closed'... the #43 and the #10 both are now in the top 35 in points for 2009.
IMO If GEM WANTED to honor their contract with Sadler they have the "open" spots to do it if they merge with PE.  They can put Dinger in either the #19 (or #10) and put sadler in the #43.  ... Well what it boils down to is they would have four drivers Kahne, Sadler, Dinger, and Sorenson; and four car numbers,  9, 19, 10, and 43 so it would all work out.
The ONLY way I see getting rid of Sadler would be if GEM has lost confidence in him, and they want to get rid of "dead wood".  But if they were thinking of getting rid of him,.. then I was curious why they renewed his contract.  I suppose it's like everything else.  Of the drivers available, he was the best of the worst.  Now that Dinger has shown his talents, and B Labonte has become available,.. they have much better options, and are looking to upgrade to better talent.
Could be they just want to downsize... stay with ONLY three cars on the CUP side,.. and we know they have shut down the NNS side completely.  So if they add Dinger, someone has to go.

[20forLogano]

I tell you what.  If PRS got sadler into the 77 (I like Sam but he is not a Cup driver and I think the heart is in IRL) that would be a GREAT move for them.  Sadler and Kurt are friends and Sadler knows Dodge so this teamwork would be very beneficial.  Kurt also can have someone to party with . 

[KurtBuschFan]

And maybe if Penske were to put Sadler in the 77, Kurt might get to keep the owner points for the 2 this time....