Seventh annual Championship Predictions
Read 'em and weep...
NHRA Top Fuel
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Doug Kalitta –
Close, but no cigar has been the motto for the lead driver on Connie Kalitta’s team. In the past Kalitta has been a strong runner at the mid-point of the season but he never enjoyed the strong beginning and ending he needed to put the No. 1 on the side of his Mac Tools-sponsored dragster. This year we look for him to put it all together.
The rest of the pack..
2. Tony Schumacher
3. Morgan Lucas
4. David Grubnic
5. Doug Herbert
6. Brandon Bernstein
7. Larry Dixon
8. Cory McClenathan
9. Bob Vandergriff
10. Hillary Will
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NHRA Funny Car
PREDICTED CHAMPION - John Force -
Remember the last time John Force lost the championship? Only three of last year’s top ten finishers were competing in the class at the time. It helped that Force had a very strong pre-season testing tour. The 2006 season will result in yet another championship for the most successful professional drag racer in the world.
The rest of the pack...
2. Ron Capps
3. Gary Scelzi
4. Robert Hight
5. Del Worsham
6. Eric Medlen
7. Whit Bazemore
8. Tony Pedregon
9. Tommy Johnson, Jr.
10. Mike Ashley
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NHRA Pro Stock
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Kurt Johnson
If the NHRA had adopted the NASCAR points system in 2005, Kurt Johnson would be defending his championship in 2006. If there was a driver primed for a visit to title land, it is Kurt Johnson. Prepare for the most exciting championship battle ever waged since the one between Bob Glidden and the late Lee Shepherd in 1980. This one could come down to the last round of the last race as well.
The rest of the pack...
2. Greg Anderson
3. Jason Line
4. Warren Johnson
5. Dave Connolly
6. Larry Morgan
7. Richie Stevens
8. Erica Enders
9. Greg Stanfield
10. Jim Yates
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NHRA Pro Stock Bike
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Chip Ellis
The battle between the V-twins and V-rods is going to be the most intense rumble since the Crips and the Bloods. We pegged Ellis last year, but we jumped the gun. This year George Bryce and company will return to the Promised Land.
The rest of the pack...
2. Andrew Hines
3. Angelle Sampey
4. GT Tonglet
5. Antron Brown
6. Ryan Schnitz
7. Steve Johnson
8. Craig Treble
9. Geno Scali
10. Karen Stoffer
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IHRA Top Fuel
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Clay Millican
He’s going to do it again, but he’s got a real battle on his hands with Andrew Cowin and the herd of sheep he brings to the table with the Serta deal. It used to be a lock for Millican but even he will tell you the last few seasons have provided some epic battles. Millican is still the cream of the crop here.
The rest of the pack..
2. Andrew Cowin
3. Doug Foley
4. Bruce Litton
5. Bobby Lagana, Jr.
6. Terry McMillen
7. Rick Cooper
8. Louie Allison
9. Tony Zizzo
10. Roger Dean
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IHRA Nitro Funny Car
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Bob Gilbertson
Thanks to a new diet and a new look for his flopper, Gilbertson is going to be on his game this year. The 2006 season is going to be a real crap shoot in the IHRA Nitro Funny Car program. With Gilbertson as the only driver committed to run all, he’s the logical choice. In our case, we think he’s going to be the toughest runner and earn the title.
The rest of the pack...
2. Dale Creasy, Jr.
3. Frank Pedregon
4. Mike Ashley
5. Gary Densham
6. Jim Head
7. Paul Lee
8. Vinny Arcadi
9. Del Worsham
10. Terry Haddock
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Torco Race Fuels Pro Modified
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Carl Spiering
This Big Dog is more than ready to bite. With Spiering ready to run the tour in 2006, we see nothing but positives for the Canadian and nothing but negative for those who cross his path. Last year was the bottle; this year it’s the blower and Spiering will have the strongest of them all.
The rest of the pack...
2. Mike Castellana
3. Shannon Jenkins
4. Josh Hernandez
5. Steve Bareman
6. Scott Cannon, Jr.
7. Mike Janis
8. Jim Halsey
9. Dennis Radford
10. Quain Stott
Alcohol Funny Car
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Rob Atchison
Atchison only reloaded for the 2006 season. In 2004, he proved he can sustain a lead. In 2005, he and his team crafted an incredible comeback. This year it will be evident from the start.
The rest of the pack...
2. Mark Thomas
3. Terry McMillen
4. Tom Carter
5. Terry Munroe
6. John Foster
7. Fred Tigges
8. Mike Comella
9. Larry Dobbs
10. Melinda Green-King
Torco Race Fuels Pro Stock
PREDICTED CHAMPION - Rick Jones
Jones is due in a big way. A strong pre-season test session in Valdosta validates the claim that this chassis builder is more than ready to run with the front-runners. It won’t be a runaway and could provide one of the more interesting scenarios the class has seen in a while.
The rest of the pack...
2. Robert Patrick
3. Steve Spiess
4. Frank Gugliotta
5. Pete Berner
6. Tony Gillig
7. John Nobile
8. Rob Mansfield
9. Angelo Alesci
10. Brian Gahm
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Thanks to a new diet and a new look for his flopper, Gilbertson is going to be on his game this year. The 2006 season is going to be a real crap shoot in the IHRA Nitro Funny Car program. With Gilbertson as the only driver committed to run all, he’s the logical choice. In our case, we think he’s going to be the toughest runner and earn the title.
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