rpm.espn.com: Users on first half

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Sunday, July 21

Users on first half
ESPN.com

We asked RPM.ESPN.com users for their thoughts on the first half of the Winston Cup season. Here are some of the comments:

The biggest disappointment by far has been Kevin Harvick, but since he set such a high standard for himself due to last year's success I think we all forget this is only his second season. The win at Chicago should boost all of RCR and silence the critics for now.

Matt Grunow
Charlotte, N.C.

I think this season has been an exciting season so far. I'm very surprised about Jimmie Johnson. The guy is one heck of a driver. I think he has a great shot at winning the title his rookie year. Gordon will win one before the season is over. He's too good to go the whole season without making a pit stop in the winner's circle.

Griff Gray
Livermore, Ky.

Roush Racing gets the nod for the best improved, best results, and best all around team. Jeff Burton has had some bad luck but still could win at any time. The rest of the guys have already provided the wins and the points standings reflect the quality of the teams. Way to go Jack Roush and the entire Roush Racing team.

Tony Parsons
Nome, Alaska

I think Tony Stewart has had the worst luck this year. The two races at Daytona, the accident at Darlington when leading with 68 laps to go that caused him not to be able to finish at Bristol where he was second when he spun out due to back pain. The accident at Talladega, his throttle cable breaking at California, and some terrible pit decisions late in races where he finished top five but could have contended for the win. If some of these races would have went his way, Tony would be leading the points race by at least 100, with four or five victories. He will win the championship.

John Dean
Birmingham, Ala.

Don't count Rusty Wallace or Mark Martin out of the picture, yet. I think they will both make a run for it through out the rest of the season. Sleeper of the group could be Michael Waltrip.

Ray Hartman
Phoenix, Ariz.

Guys, I can see where Tony Stewart has had bad luck, but the other guys? Come on! When was the last time Jerry Nadeau or Ken Schrader ever did anything exciting, anyway? Ward Burton doesn't need to be on this list either. Instead he should be on "Best Luck" for winning the Daytona 500. Jeff Gordon has to be on this list somewhere as "Worst Luck" doesn't he?

CW Sloan
Greenville, N.C.

The resurgence of Roush racing is great. It would be nice if the "Gentleman of NASCAR" Mark Martin won the championship. He's a class act. The influx and success of young drivers bodes well for the sport. However, they would do well to observe the actions of the veterans, on the track and especially when dealing with fans. On the downside, it appears Petty Enterprises' struggles continue. The King and family deserve better.

Finally, something has got to be done about restrictor plate racing. I still believe the answer is to eliminate the plates and change the aerodynamics of the cars to make the drivers drive. That returns driving skill to the superspeedways.

Bud Hemphill
Montgomery, Ala.

You still need to include Rusty in the points race. He runs well at the next 10 tracks and has been consistent. His Chicagoland finish didn't depict how well he was running. He came from the middle of the field to get into the top 10.

Rich Campbell
Edwards AFB, Calif.

You don't know what you are talking about. Jeremy Mayfield was the best pick for the 19 car. They have had some bad luck and need some time to jell but when they do you all will be eating your words. As for Casey he is doing better every week in the No. 7 and I think that is the right place for him especially since Tony Furr came along. You just watch the second half of this season and see what the 19 team and Jeremy Mayfield can do.

Dawn Napper
Fredericksburg, Va.

Mark Martin will finally win the Winston Cup Title. He has been so consistent over the years. He is a model driver and citizen and what better example of a champion could there be. Races clean and lives clean.

Chuck Peterson
Highland, Calif.

It's true that Jeff Gordon is winless after 19 races this season, but the fact remains that he is the defending Winston Cup Champion and only 95 points behind the points leader. Gordon did not start the season in great fashion, but has improved his consistency in the recent weeks and is poised to win a race and regain the points lead before the season concludes.

Tim Stewart
Park Ridge, N.J.

A while ago Dale Earnhardt Jr. was saying Michael Waltrip needed to get his act together or chance losing his ride with DEI. Waltrip is by far the best and most consistent driver on that team!

Paul Fish
Reedsburg, Wisc.

NASCAR's inconsistent yellow/green/red flag policy at end of races. How hard would it be to stop races at or inside 15 laps from end and not count the couple of laps needed to get field set up for final run? My observation of this year is that if Sterling Marlin is leading, or appears to have a good chance of winning, the decision for red flagging the race is different than if he is not in the hunt.

Ric Kaser
Oak Harbor, Wash.

About your "Biggest Surprise" category, take a look at Bill Elliott. He's in the top ten in the points standings, not to mention that he was three poles already this year. I just think that you guys should consider him for that category.

Levi Oglesby
Williamston, N.C.

It has been a very discouraging season thus far, thanks to NASCAR. They seem to make up the rules as they go and pick on the ones they don't want to win and let the others get by with murder! It depends on who is leading wether a race is stopped or left to finish under caution if certain conditions arise! Do you in all honesty think this is fair?

B & D Murphy
Benson, Ariz.

I think the biggest surprise of the NASCAR season first half is the success of the young guns. Who expected Johnson to do so well and to have Busch and Newman to be consistently in the top 15. What I look for in the second half is for more strong finishes from the young guys and I am excited to see a championship race at the end of the year.

Eric Thompson
Waverly, Iowa

Why has the press avoided the traction control issue that NASCAR says is happening and if caught will come down hard on ? Who is it and how are they doing it? Why doesn't someone do some real reporting and ruffle NASCAR's perfect feathers and discuss the power that NASCAR has?

John Snelson
Lake Mohave, Ariz.

Thanks for noting Kenny Schrader's troubles through the first half of the year. Most of them surely are not his fault, and it will be disappointing when MBV drops him at the end of the season. He, like the Waltrips and Dale Jrs., runs well at the restrictor plate races and hopefully he will replace Steve Park in the DEI stable. I do disagree with Mark Martin being a surprise. Everyone knows he has the ability to compete well and win. It just took the right pit moves to get him back in Victory Lane.

Richard Davalos
Sunnyvale, Calif.

I agree -- Kyle Petty has to be one of the biggest and best surprises of the season so far. After everything he has gone through recently, the fact he is in the top 20 in points is great

Troy Boblitt
Springfield, Ill.

Ricky Rudd! That's what all the talk should be about. If not for so much bad luck, we'd be looking at Rudd with a 200- to 300-point lead for the title. I still think he's gonna pull it off. Jimmie Johnson will fade off as the season comes to an end but will finish well in the top ten and finish top five next season. Ryan Newman will also finish top next season. The ol' timers are having a good showing this year with Elliott, Marlin, Martin, and Wallace.

Ryan D. Richardson
Connersville, Ind.

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