Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Actually it appears that Slate is out of Nationals. Only 1 points race left. Needs to improve on a second round. Had Noble been 7 rounds he would be tied.

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Still going with Burton, he can improve on a first round National loss and has one more divisional as well (Vegas should tell the tale).

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Yes, Brian you are right. He can only block at the Nats.

Greg

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Yes Jim, I'm going to have to join you on Burton, because Edmond ruined his chances by bowing out early today in Noble, Jody would have to win and Brad lose in the first rnd of the divisional (not likely for that to happen, Jody could win, but I sincerely doubt Brad will be a rnd 1 r.u.!)...sorry but Brads used up his alloted nationals to improve on, because he's reportedly been to five already (besides, he's won Pomona & Denver, plus r.u.'d at Indy, so even if he could've improved on a national the best he could do is add 11 more pts.!).

The only person who has a real shot to catch Brad, is Leo Glasbrenner (he'd have to win both the 'Vegas nat., & div., and hope Brad doesn't make it to the 1/4's at the div.), however, the most Leo can end the year with 626 pts....advantage Bad Brad!!!

Toby Lang, and Robbie Shaw are still mathematically in it ( as long shots), but again Brad would have to lose in rnd one (div), and Toby would need to win both 'Vegas races to edge past Brad...since Robbie's neither entered in the 'Vegas, or Pomona nat.'s, then he's out of this picture.

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

As for Super Stock, Ryan's in a great spot, however with A. Lincoln M. entered in both of the last two nat.'s, and only needing to improve on a 2nd rnd div. loss vs Ryan needing to best a 3rd rnd. loss, pretty much it's as though Lincoln just needs to win one additional rnd beyond Ryan, and it's over (from the div.). Furthermore, Lincoln has a national event he can improve on, as long as he makes it to the semi's at the national...advantage A. Lincoln Morehead!

Sal Biondo can rain on their parades, but he has to race the divisional, and he's not entered in either of the nationals, so I question whether he'll be there?

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

First off I would like to start off and say that Brad is an outstanding driver and has a great chance at winning the championship, but to make a statement that it is highly unlikely for anyone to lose in the first round is a little ridiculous. It isnt like this is the NBA and the number 1 guy has the best record and the guy you play in the first round of the playoff has the worst record. You never know who he is going to get. He could get Edmund, Fletcher, Cummings, anybody in the first round. Again Brad is a great driver but against any of these it is a coin toss. You also forgot about slate who is right now just 10 points out and only needs to win 2 rounds to pick up any points. That is what makes sportsman racing so great. No easy rounds, no gimme's. We just have to wait and see.

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Although I respect your thoughts on Brads possible 1st rnd demise (and digress my overlooking of "Slate Cummings" prior to todays updated points posting...my apologies to you Slate), I will also respectfully disagree with you for these reasons:

1. To Colorado Stock/Super Stock racers, 'Vegas is a common track to race at because it's much closer to them then half of Div. 5, so the Burton's have been there alot!

2. 'Vegas is a High altitude track, and thus again a track that Colorado (and Div. 5) racers are very familiar with...Kearney, Ne. is about the same altitude as 'Vegas, and Brad has raced there as well. Therefore...

3. Brad is more familiar with what he's going to encounter there than Slate will be...furthermore his father Scott has been racing for several years, and their cars are so similar, that shared info is plentyful.

4. How can you not feel good about Brad's likeliness of at least winning his first round at a familiar track like 'Vegas, when just this year at the most prestigious race of the year (his first time racing there to boot), that he makes it to the final round, at "THE BIG GO"??
I would feel the same about Brad Plourd, Justin Lamb, and Ryan McClannahan (three other young lions who've tasted the success of many 1st rnd wins), thus I'd feel good about all of them winning the first round at every race they'd attend (especially at a track they've frequently raced at)!!!

Now all of that said, since I digress to have now realized you can claim your best 3 of 6 national events, that adds several others to the mix besides Brad, Edmund, and Slate. Lurking behind (and within striking distance of them), are both Jody & Toby Lang, Leo Glasbrenner, Trista Henderson, and Rusty Hall. Therefore as you said, "that is what makes sportsman racing so great", & "we just have to wait and see"! :)

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

No matter who you have a first round win is never a guarantee. Vegas will definitely be fun and interesting!

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

Anyone can be beaten anytime by anyone. That is why we do this, the point that I am trying to make is it is a ridiculous statement to say that he is guarenteed a first round win. I hope he does, I like Brad and he is a great young racer but come on. I don't care how familiar one is with a track or altitude or whatever. For what it is worth I have raced at Vegas and to be perfectly honest it was one of the easiest places that I have ever had to dial a car. Due to the lack of humidity, there is a lot less movement in your dial. The biggest problem with dialing in Vegas is the wind and you know what, we all deal with the wind. High altitude, low altitude, east coast, west coast, whatever. And to your last point, what if any of these guys who you feel an extremely likely to win first round actually run Brad in the first. Now what?

Re: Time to pick National Champs...
 

As was said "Vegas is going to be fun". I won't make the nat'l but now I gotta go to the divisional. Ryan and Leo are both good friends. Leo does my trans work and I've known Ryan since before he was in Jrs. So I guess I'll put the old hay hauler in sst so I'll have a front row seat to really be part of the action. Damn, now I'm getting excited.