2003 Cup Contenders

**Asp** · 19 Jan 2003, 17:35 (Ref:479152)

Before the inevitable 'who will be champion' post - a little forerunner - who will be in a shout at the championship (It'll make it easier to create a poll fo someone at any rate ))

You obviously have to say Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon.
I'd like to add Mark Martin - it's about time he moved up the one position. Kurt Busch after his incredible finish to last year should be good if he can carry on some momentum, and Matt Kenseth as winningest driver last year if he can find some consistency. My final pick is Stirling Martin - although he did tail off before his accident last year: he needs to regain that championship leading form.

Anyone else?

muggle not · 19 Jan 2003, 21:58 (Ref:479401)

Rusty Wallace and Bobby Labonte should be in the hunt.

24thunder · 20 Jan 2003, 02:15 (Ref:479618)

I agree with Rusty Wallace & Bobby Labonte getting back to Their winning ways(altho BL did have a win)& Kurt Busch & Matt Kenseth continueing Their great young careers & U know that I'll agree with Jeff Gordon being right in the hunt as well as Toni Stewart(altho I don't have to like it-lol)!!!
I'll add Jimmie Johnson,Ryan Newman(talented rookies)!
I'd like to see Mark Martin win a Cup,but history goes against that senario,consider that Mark's been in 2nd place in final point standing in 1990,1994,1998 & 2002 & has never came back to finish 2nd or higher the next year!So I'd say IMO no!I also think that Sterling Marlin will not be near the Top 5,if indeed even in the Top 10,JMO!

Speeddemon555 · 20 Jan 2003, 17:39 (Ref:480186)

Mark Martin is due to win the title, but I also look for Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson to contend for the title.

BMWfan · 21 Jan 2003, 06:16 (Ref:480778)

I think Martin has given all he's got, and he's now on the way out. Too many good youngsters moving in. Guys like Kenseth, Johnson, Newman, Junior and Harvick have a shot at thier first title. Most likely, though, it will be a "veteran" like Gordon (NOT ROBBIE!!!), Stewart or Jarrett.

RaceFanStan · 21 Jan 2003, 11:39 (Ref:480942)

I believe that it will be Dale Jr taking the Winston Cup this year.

rustyfan · 21 Jan 2003, 13:18 (Ref:481028)

I think we'll see an early points battle that is very close and unpredictable that doesn't get "fleshed out" until the half-way mark with a few select contenders pulling away.

Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Sterling Marlin and Rusty Wallace are all viable contenders as I see it.

If Elliott Sadler takes full advantage of being behind the wheel of a Yates Ford he too could be a factor, and if RCR gets their act together both Kevin Harvick and Jeff Green could do well too. Nemechek also turned things around in a big way during the late stages of 2002 after there were some changes made to the #25 Hendrick team, so don't be surprised to see Nemechek win a race or two and perhaps even contend for a top-10 championship finish in 2003.

If I have to pick a lone personal favorite? Then I'd have to go for Ryan Newman, though I have to say that 2003 could be one of the most open Winston Cup Championship hunts for quite some time

24thunder · 21 Jan 2003, 13:19 (Ref:481029)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stan_MarlinMan
I believe that it will be Dale Jr taking the Winston Cup this year.

For that to happen,doesn't Dale Jr. have to start winning at more non-RP tracks more often than He currently does?The Guy hasn't even made the Top 10 in points & His fans are picking Him to win the Championship in 2003!I hope He does win a Cup,but I think IF He does it will be a good while into the future,unless DEI starts concentrating more on the other track types & quits putting so much money/effort into the 4 RP track races,JMO!
Sorry Stan,just My take on it!

rustyfan · 21 Jan 2003, 13:29 (Ref:481042)

Quote:

Originally posted by 24thunder
For that to happen,doesn't Dale Jr. have to start winning at more non-RP tracks more often than He currently does?The Guy hasn't even made the Top 10 in points & His fans are picking Him to win the Championship in 2003!I hope He does win a Cup,but I think IF He does it will be a good while into the future,unless DEI starts concentrating more on the other track types & quits putting so much money/effort into the 4 RP track races,JMO!
Sorry Stan,just My take on it!

You do know that Junior suffered a rather hard concussion at California that seriously hampered his performance for much of 2002?

24thunder · 21 Jan 2003, 21:30 (Ref:481614)

Quote:

Originally posted by rustyfan
You do know that Junior suffered a rather hard concussion at California that seriously hampered his performance for much of 2002?

I wasn't really aware of the severity of that crash & injury,regardless I was speaking of His career overall in tendencies & so I've not changed My opinion at all!
I don't really have anything against Jr. & like to see Him do well,just stanting My opinion on His chances at winning a Cup!

TS20HDPGP · 21 Jan 2003, 21:42 (Ref:481641)

With the recent success of the rookies in good equipment, I wouldn't discount Greg Biffle. He had some great runs in the 55 and 44 car last year which are two cars that I really wouldn't consider highly competitive. Plus he'll the benefit of four teammates and the most testing notes out of anybody.

RaceFanStan · 21 Jan 2003, 21:50 (Ref:481662)

Quote:

Originally posted by 24thunder
For that to happen,doesn't Dale Jr. have to start winning at more non-RP tracks more often than He currently does?The Guy hasn't even made the Top 10 in points & His fans are picking Him to win the Championship in 2003!I hope He does win a Cup,but I think IF He does it will be a good while into the future,unless DEI starts concentrating more on the other track types & quits putting so much money/effort into the 4 RP track races,JMO!
Sorry Stan,just My take on it!

Dale Jr has his work cut out for him for sure,
Dale Jr will win a few races but his strength will be a lot of top5s & top10s.
So many that the competition will be overwhelmed !
Dale Sr was an expert at points racing !
Dale Jr will use his head this year I think.

(I would really love to see Sterling win the Cup but with 2 rookie team-mates ...)
(It doesn't look too good for him now !)

muggle not · 21 Jan 2003, 22:25 (Ref:481725)

I think that Dale jr will break into the top 10 in points this year but believe he will find it difficult much beyond that at this stage.

24thunder · 22 Jan 2003, 14:20 (Ref:482459)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stan_MarlinMan
Dale Jr has his work cut out for him for sure,
Dale Jr will win a few races but his strength will be a lot of top5s & top10s.
So many that the competition will be overwhelmed !
Dale Sr was an expert at points racing !
Dale Jr will use his head this year I think.

(I would really love to see Sterling win the Cup but with 2 rookie team-mates ...)
(It doesn't look too good for him now !)

OK Stan,I do hope the best for Him!
Afterall,Toni won the Cup last year with just 133.3 points per race average,so anything's possible,but last year was very strange with not any 1 or 2 driver actually able to get a considerable lead as it went down to the wire.

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