| ESPN Network: ESPN.com | RPM | NBA.com | NHL.com | ESPNdeportes | ABCSports | FANTASY | |
 |
|
 | |
 |
  |
 |
|
Monday, December 23 Updated: December 31, 1:34 PM ET  Comments on Winston Cup drivers ESPN.com We spotlighted Winston Cup drivers Todd Bodine, Jeff Burton, Ward Burton, Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven. Here are your thoughts on their '02 campaigns and prospects for next season:
Todd Bodine
I watched all the races and replays where Todd was supposed to have caused all the wrecks. How can passing Jack Sprague on the outside be causing a wreck. Sprague just lost it twice trying to be stubborn and not let Todd by. How about Mike Waltrip admitting he smashed into Todd to keep him from winning at Michigan when Todd clearly had the fastest car! NA$CAR has a serious double standard for governing their races, we see it all the time in inconsistent penalties and fines. They need to wake up and realize how many long time fans are tuning out because of prejudice against certain drivers, Bodines being at the top of the list! Earnhardt Jr. can do no wrong and still keep any win despite being illegal. It stinks! William Lusk Watkins Glen, N.Y.
This genius has been in an accident at almost every track on the schedule this year between the Cup and the Busch. He is a detriment to the sport. I would guess that in 75 percent of the races he competed in he was in some sort of incident. I would say that at least half of those were his fault. In an age where there are more drivers than cars I say get out and let someone else with more respect for the sport give it a try. Danny Burns Katter bach, Germany
He's not my favorite driver but I think he's treated unfairly. Nobody made a big stink when Jarrett tried to block Jeff Burton an took out a ton of cars. An how many wrecks have RCR drivers caused or came close to causing? I don't think Richard Childress should be throwing stones. What it boils down to is if you're a big name with a big sponsor you can cause wrecks an no one raises a stink. I just think he got blamed when sometimes it wasn't his fault but if he had a big sponsor like UPS not much would have been said. People need to look at all the drivers and not just single out the have nots on the circuit. Todd Jones Spring Lake, N.C.
Jeff Burton
There is no doubt that Jeff Burton will be right back among the elite in 2003. Even one of his worse seasons in NASCAR still had him finishing higher than most drivers finish on a good year. He WILL win the NASCAR Winston Cup championship in 2003! Jason Crews Seagoville, Texas
Jeff will be fine. It seems like he would fix one problem like one very bad pit stop per race, then pick up another. He will get all his eggs in one basket and finish in the middle of the top 10 at the least. Maybe even run at the top spot. Andrew Horne Browns Mills, N.J.
I think Burton will come out and show us what true driving ability he has in 2003! I predict he will be in contention for a championship this year. Beth Mitchell Glendale, Ariz.
Ward Burton
I feel that Ward will have a great year with his new crew chief, Frankie Stoddard. Ward is not only a great driver he is an absolute great person he treats his fans so good, he is always willing to stop and give autographs and just say hi. I hope he is given a chance this year to prove how great a driver he really is! Kelly Taipale Windor
Had it not been for the mechanical failures and getting wrecked, Ward would have finished much higher in the points standings. 2003 will be a breakout year and Ward will finish in the top 10. Doug Diebel Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Maybe the "bad" luck will be gone with all the new people coming on board the CAT team. Sometimes change is a good thing. We know Ward and Frankie have proven their desires to win so together they will be able to get something going for the team. In any case I will be there routing for Ward no matter what! Debbie Hammett Lexington Park, Md.
Kurt Busch
Busch will without a doubt be in the top five at the end of 2003. His wins have come at some of his least favorite tracks, while his bad luck came around some favorites. Take away a bitter, fat, unemployed "Target" and two blown engines in August and "Smoke" would've been Smoked in 2002! David Bean Austin, Texas
Kurt Busch has got it going on. Even with a few setbacks in his rookie year, he proved he could keep his head in the race and the sport and continue on. While some have called him the next Dale Earnhardt of racing, the refreshing difference will be to see a driver of that caliber that can win without bumping or running someone off the track every week. Kurt Busch is a driver of great talent. Eric Callahan Detroit, Mich.
What a nice young man Kurt Busch is! He always seems glad to see his fans, and is polite and respectful. He makes an effort to talk to each fan. I told him this season that I couldn't be prouder of him if he was my own son. I look for big things from him in the future. I hope to see his name added to list of Winston Cup champions in the next few years. Beverly Piskel Lincoln University, Pa.
Ricky Craven
Last year was a good year but to start all over again in the Pontiac and get all the race setups perfect for every track could be a very long year for the 32 team. Todd Blackburn Jonesboro, Ind.
A true class act! One of the real good guys in Cup and a great, clean racer too who has the respect of the other drivers. With the new Pontiac body and manufacturer support his team never got from Ford, Ricky will definitely win races and be in the top ten mix in 2003. John Johnson Tully, Calif.
Odds are Ricky will have a tough time equaling 2002 15th position, let alone a top 10 given the change of cars, new crew chief and single car owner. Unfortunately, it could be a "make or break" season as maintaining sponsorship depends on visibility. The Tide Ride will be up for grabs if Ricky fails to produce. Dale LaRose Temple, Texas  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|