2012 Daytona 500 Prediction

Gentleman.....and Danica Patrick.....start your engines.

It's race day again.  NASCAR's super bowl in Daytona.  The Daytona 500 runs today, and if you've read my predictions before you know who I'm going to be picking.

Tony is due at Daytona.  I think he'll have a good run coming off the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship.  I also think you'll see Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon up there too.  Also wouldn't be shocked to see Dale Jr win too.

Danica, sorry....get some run on the Nationwide Series.

For another prediction, check out my buddy Quentin's vlog.  

The Great American 6 Pack

1)  NASCAR returns this week with their biggest race of the season, the Daytona 500.  Last year the championship was won on a tie-breaker and last weekend's Budweiser Shootout has the smallest margin of victory ever (.013 seconds).  Are you going to watch the 500?  If not what would it take to get you to watch?  If you are going to watch who is your pick to win it?

Matt – I’ll watch the start and the end and some of the middle with the boy.  Also will be making bbq ribs!  It’s become kind of a tradition on Daytona 500 day to make ribs.  I’m going to go with my pick every year till he wins it….TONY STEWART

Painter – Of course I'll be watching, it's one of those sporting events I will never miss.  Kyle Busch had a great car in the Shootout as did the Hendrick drivers (until they got caught up in wrecks).  The return of pack drafting puts the race back into the drivers' hands more than the tandem racing of the past couple of years.  I want Dale Earnhardt, Jr to win very badly but I have a feeling Busch will pull it off.

Blake – As with most sports key events, I at least try to watch the finish.  The NBA All Star Game is this weekend too.  That being said, I could care less who wins Daytona

BSox – I think i will try and watch it. i can't promise i'll watch it from start to finish, but i'll dive in there at some point. really though, of all the sports that have rebranded over the many years, nascar has turned into something fun to watch.

2)  Pitchers and catchers are reporting, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has been released, March Madness is approaching.  What are some of the other signs that spring is approaching?

Matt – There is mud in my yard and dog shit that needs picked up from the winter….that’s the biggest sign…the ones I’m looking forward to are March Madness and Golfing

Painter – The Swimsuit Issue and commercials for the Masters are the biggest signs for me

Blake – A distinct and strong urge to drink on a patio?

BSox – girls wearing short dresses. serious, go to a college campus, you can get entertained all day.

3)  Spring in Iowa means more opportunities to get outside and enjoy different activities.  What outdoor activities are you most looking forward to?

Matt – I can’t wait to hit some golf balls and softballs!

Painter – I'm really ready to get out on the lake and catch some fish.  I didn't get to go out very much last year and I've been ready to go for a while.  I'm also going to my first LAZERfest this year.  That should be a blast.

Blake – See #2.  Oh, and getting to an I-Cubs game this year that doesn't get rained out

BSox – lazerfest lol, sorry shameless plug. more details @ lazer1033.com ;-)

4)  Greg Oden's knees continue to keep him off the NBA court.  Will he ever be able to play effectively in the NBA?

Matt – Does Columbus have a DLeague team?  He’s done in the big leagues unless he get’s a bionic knee.

Painter – I really don't think he'll play again.  I don't know if staying in college would have benefited him, other than getting his education, but at least now he's getting paid to sit on the sidelines.

Blake – Grant Hill had a similar start to his career with his feet and ankles.  He ultimately came all the way back, and has had a solid, and long career.  That being said, Oden is a 7 footer, so it's probably a little less likely that he comes back, as their bodies break down faster.  I wouldn't count him out yet though.  I'd say his odds of playing significant time at any point in future are about 33%

BSox – He might get picked up again, but who is going to spend top dollar on a broken down used car?

5)  Kirk Ferentz named his son Brian as the Offensive Line coach and former player LeVar Woods as the Linebackers coach before heading out of the country on his annual cruise.  All we have left is Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach.  Are you surprised by these hires and who do you think will be the other hires?

Matt – I’d like to see Campbell get OC.  We all know that the offense won’t really change though.  I think that Woods and his kid are decent hires.  I would be weary if Brian hadn’t had any experience, but working with the Patriots last year I think that helps.   

Painter – I'm not surprised at all and I think we're going to see Kirk's replacement being groomed (it will still be a Ferentz program).  I'd still like to see Eric Campbell get promoted to OC and I have a feeling that David Raih will be QB coach if that happens.  Otherwise I could see Chuck Long come in as the OC and QB coach.

Blake – Yeah, I don't care.  Sorry, I don't know anything about assistant coaches, other than when they suck or when the head coach sucks.  They're kind of like back up quarterbacks that way.

BSox – A little by his son. The dude was with new england, why come to iowa? other than being with dad and such, you were with a pro team working your way up...i don't THINK he topped out there. but hell, maybe he just likes being close to family.

6)  Lent started this week.  What are you giving up this year?

Matt – I’m giving up not a damn thing!

Painter – Nothing.  A few years ago I gave up giving stuff up for Lent and I have stuck with it.

Blake – Starbucks and any other schwanky coffee.

BSox – not catholic, and proly won't be giving up anything...except meat on fridays because my fiance is catholic.

Best and Worst of the Weekend, a fresh coat.

BEST – Well most of the weekend was really good.  Friday afternoon we had a team bowling event, got 2 drink tickets and I was able to get another ticket and a beer purchased for me.  Afterwards I went to a bar with some co-workers and had some beverages.  Later that night my mom was in town and watched the kids so Shawnna and I went out to Dos Rios.  Had some more cervasas there, along with steak asada tacos and homemade guacamole.  Great time. 

Saturday was spent painting and redoing the stairs.  The stairway downstairs we repainted yellow and white to clean it up. The stairs got a fresh coat too, and then we took up the old blue runner and stair rods and put down a nice new runner and rods.  I added a piece of black trim at the bottom.  Upstairs we repainted the living room and dining room and ceiling.  We have two walls that are now a redish/rust color and then the others are a grey color.  That was most of Saturday and Sunday.  My mom stayed with us all weekend to help, and I’m grateful for that.  We had Scornavaccas pizza Saturday night.  Bray and I went to pick it up and sat at the bar and had a drink.  He had a Shirley Temple and me a Miller Light.  He told me that he wanted to do that more, just me and him going out.  Hopefully soon we will too.  Sunday the kids had play dates at Monkey Joes and came back wiped out but on a second wind.  I need their energy.  Sunday night ended with me helping out my buddy Jason move a couple fridges and then cleaning up paint drops and sitting with Ryleigh and watching The Donald and the Celebrity Apprentice.

WORST – Worst I’m going to go with me.  Lack of sleep got me really frustrated Saturday afternoon with the kids.  And the weather and the painting and stairs kept us inside.  I know I’ve mentioned it before and how in the world did my parents deal with me?  My son is just like me, I must have drove them nuts!  This maybe isn’t a worst but the lawn is growing a bit, but I REFUSE to mow when its colder than 55 degrees.  Sorry, not gonna do it.

Another worst or something I’m upset about.  Do you ever feel that you lose out on relationships with people for no reason?  They just drift away.  I feel this way in a couple of close ones I have right now.  First is like a feeling of being replaced.  And why?  Because I’m not supportive of that life style, should I say “hey, you need to grow up” or something like that?  I think that there will be regret later in life with some decisions but it’s not my life.  Second is like a mystery to me.  People I think get to busy and try to please EVERYONE and forget about friends.  Like I said I don’t know if that is a worst but something that is really bothering me right now.

Sports nuggets…I only watched about 2 hours or so of tv this weekend, but saw some highlights.

Ouch, the 2 Memphis Redbirds who collided at Principal Park hurt me watching it, their heads rattled off each other.  Said on the news last night that one of them had facial fractures and had to have surgery.

Cubs, haven’t watched them yet this year, it just doesn’t feel like baseball yet.

Harrison Barnes is coming back to UNC, thank you!  College Basketball needs more of this, and I hope the UNC big 3 come back next year too.  I tweeted this earlier after the UConn Huskies won the championship, but I’m picking UNC to win the NCAA Championship.  The Final Four is in New Orleans, and NOLA and UNC Basketball have a magic feeling together.

NASCAR had a heck of a finish.  About 5 cars all clumped up together at the finish line.  It was like the ending of the first race in Cars with King, Chick and Lightning all tying.  Jimmie Johnson won by a hair with the help of Dale Jr.

Big XII got a new tv deal that will help get all their conference football games on tv, at least on FSN.  BUT what Cyclone fans and Big XII fans don’t know is that the deal isn’t for games on the national FOX channel.  Your only on a cable sports package that is regional.  Big Ten is still NATIONAL and has the best deal on ABC/ESPN.  I think that in a few years when the Big Ten’s deal with ABC/ESPN is up you will see FOX pay big money and the Big Ten will have 2-3 national games on Fox every weekend.  Fox has the Big Ten championship game, they want in the college football scene, they’ll throw money at the best conference in the nation.

NBA playoffs, who cares till the conference finals.

My Daytona 500 pick is.....

TONY STEWART.

He’s due at Daytona in the big race.  I can see Dale Jr or Gordon winning too, and I think it will come down to 2 of the 3, but I’m feeling that this is Tony’s year.