2 for 1 over here... PRELUDE to the DREAM & JPM thoughts required...?

Question

Question... I just heard yesterday that the upcoming prelude to the dream is just around the corner.. WHAT A SHOW THIS WAS LAST YEAR! Awesome, Awesome, Awesome..

Is everyone else as pumped about it as I am? I'll pay whatever Directv charges to watch this thing for sure! and in HI-DEF also ; ) So early picks for winners please!

ANDDDDD... while I'm here...

What are your thoughts on Juan Pablo Montoya and his new crew chief ? Brian Pattie i believe? I heard JPM was NOT HAPPY about losing Elledge either.. Just another screwed up day at CGR!

Answer 1

First off, I think Chip is getting a bad case of the disease that Jack Roush has, movachiefitis.  He seems to be taking a page right out of the Cat in the Hat's book.  This was too soon to be a performance based move, plus they had the good run at Talladega.  I wonder if it was more of a personality conflict or poor communication, but good or bad, they need to put somebody in there and give the relationship a chance to develop.  Juan is good enough to overcome some of the obstacles he's had last season and so far this year but his chances of making the chase are fading fast, in my opinion.  As far as the Prelude to a Dream goes, I still think that Dave Blaney, Ken Schrader and Smoke are the ones to watch for the win.  That is a great race but I will have to wait until they rebroadcast it on SPEED, I don't have Direct TV.

3 STR8 N 08!!!

Answer 2

Great show last year!!!

I'm PUMPED as well!!!  NOTHING beats UMP/WoO LM's on dirt.

Early pick.......either Kenny Schrader, or a repeat of Cuzzin Carl's great performance!!

Thoughts on JPM...I don't really know what to think.  The owners complain when their cars don't do well...but yet sometimes they won't leave well-enough alone.  I thought it was a really dirty trick Chip pulled last year.  Saying there was no sponsor for the 40, then low-and-behold, Franchitti gets a ride.  I really thought JPM was going to go somewhere with a decent crew chief (Ellidge).  Now, I'm not sure.  He's going to be starting over (at least on the communication) with another new crew chief.

Thebestanswer has a point about the winner of the P2tD.  Boyer will be driving his own LM, usually driven by Shannon Babb in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.  It's a proven winner on the WoO LM circuit.

Answer 3

I thoroughly enjoyed the event last year and JPM was actually very impressive on dirt but then again he's impressive in and on anything he drives.  Chip called out Jimmy several weeks ago and there was still some major communication issues the last three races.  Apparently Juan felt as though they needed more time.  I get the feeling we will be seeing several changes over there at Ganassi including disposition of Reed.

Answer 4

Top 6:

1. Clint Bowyer (Entire career was dirt before NASCAR, had bad luck last year. Not a big fan but he's got what it takes)

2. Kyle Busch

3. Jeff Gordon

4. Carl Edwards

5. Tony Stewart

6. Robby Gordon (DEFINETELY not a fan but he has Scott Bloomquists equipment and it's hard to go wrong with that.)

Answer 5

I'm going with Rowdy, too.

too bad about Montoya, hopefully they can figure out what they're doing over there.

Answer 6

Definitely looking forward to the Prelude to the Dream again this year.  I heard during qualifying on TV last night the Tony Stewart is offereing a spot in the field for the winner of the Indy 500.  That would be interesting.  

JPM seems to be getting a raw deal with the crew chief movement.  And so is Reed Sorenson.  Doesn't look like it is safe to be a crew chief at Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates right now.

Answer 7

I was there in person last year and I will be there agian this year, this is the best event that is happening, lots of personalities for charity...great times had there!!! My personal pick, Kenseth to win...

As for JPM   I wonder what caused the release of Ellidge, seems like things there are not good this season, no leadership among the drivers there either

Answer 8

eldora: gotta stick with rowdy.  or tony.

jpm: don't think about it much...

Answer 9

As for Prelude to the Dream, I pick Tony Stewart. As a dark horse however, I'd say Dave Blaney has a great shot. He used to run lots of dirt races before his career in NASCAR. As for JPM's new crew chief, I'm not sure I understand the move. With Elledge he finished an impressive 2nd at Talladega, and a caution flag shortened the final lap. Ganassi needs to settle down, and give their crews a chance; they have no time to prove anything.

Answer 10

The Prelude to a Dream is on pay per view on HBO, you can order it on Cable I'm sure you can order it on Direct TV..We already have it ordered, as I'm the one with the biggest TV, so they pay for..I'd like to see Schrader win the race, or Smoke. Juan was pretty good on Dirt last yr...I'm with Trego on this moveacrewchiefitis that Chip has right now.. I thought it worked out good with Elledge,  you could tell Juan was not happy, it effected his qualifying big time...Playing musical crew chiefs can wear you down... I like Juan I want him to do well I just hope Chip gets it together for Juan.. Yes, the team is in some kinda turmoil right now thats for sure..

Go Dale Jr & Hms