Packman: Look for Waltrip to win the 500 in first DEI start

By Tim Packman
Turner Sports Interactive
February 16, 2001
3:19 PM EST (2019 GMT)

Commentary

It's time to crank it up!

It's time to put all the testing, planning, building, hiring and firing that has gone on during the off-season to use. It's time to put the drivers behind the wheel, on the track and into gear. In other words, it's time to go racing.

If you're anything like me when it comes to racing, you feel a little lost during the months of Dec. and Jan. when there is none. Sure, we can write about all the driver changes, sponsor changes, TV package changes, even this website changed hands during the off-season, we want. But, there is nothing better than actually seeing those cars get on the track getting side-by-side when the green flag drops.

Michael Waltrip threatened to win the 1999 Daytona 500 before finishing fifth.

The sport is in a time of change, that's obvious.

Former crew chiefs and drivers are now seen in TV booths with microphones in their hands. Some drivers are in different cars, some with different teams and others with no team at all. This website looks totally different as well.

To those of you who are so quick to criticize some of what you have seen so far, I have but one question to ask. How good were you your first week at work?

The Budweiser Shootout sure didn't lack for excitement. Just when it looked like the master of the superspeedway, Dale Earnhardt, was going to pull off another win, Tony Stewart drafted right back by him and into Victory Lane.

Some observers I've talked with said the Big E may have made his move to soon. He led, he was a contender to win and he finished second. But, there were no points on the line. When it matters most, he'll be there.

If the Budweiser Shootout and the Gatorade 125s are any indication what the 500 is going to be like, be sure to have some oxygen nearby. I can't tell you how many times I held my breath during those events watching how close those drivers got to each other.

They may not like the restrictor-plate racing, but from a fan's point of view it can be both awesome and nerve-wracking to watch. There were no wrecks on Sunday, minor ones on Thursday and let's hope for nothing serious this Sunday either.

I am going to go out on a limb here and make a prediction for the 500. I've been reading all sorts of publications and watching various racing shows where their writers make them, so why not stick my neck out and make one too?.

The driver I am selecting has been a top-5 finisher in the 500 before. He has never won a race though. He's in a new ride with probably some of the best equipment underneath him that he's ever had. From a dramatic standpoint, it would be awesome to watch this driver pull off the Great American Race as his first victory. (remember Sterling Marlin in '94?) It would also be a great way for Fox to start things off with his brother, who has won the 500, calling him to the line from the announcer's booth.

So, if Michael Waltrip is in Victory Lane after his 500-mile ride on Sunday, you can say you heard it here first. If not, oh well, I had odds of 43:1 anyhow. (Heck, most casinos pay 36:1 for roulette) My second choice is Rusty Wallace, he's been so close too many times not to eventually win it. Hmm, didn't some guy in a black No. 3 car have a bunch of almosts before he won it?

Alright, I'm outta here until next week. Check out our new feature, RaceCast for the Busch race on Saturday and the 500 on Sunday. Until next time, I'll see your faces -- at the races!