Each year our “crack” staff of prognosticators joins together shortly after the final test session to determine the champions of the upcoming season. We had a 60% success rate last season and we feel good about our chances this year. Here’s how we see it all shaking out for 2007.

Each year our “crack” staff of prognosticators joins together shortly after the final test session to determine the champions of the upcoming season. We had a 60% success rate last season and we feel good about our chances this year. Here’s how we see it all shaking out for 2007.

TOP FUEL – PREDICTED CHAMPION – TONY SCHUMACHER

If any doubt remained who will win the title in 2007, Tony Schumacher erased it with a seemingly effortless 4.4-second lap to set the pace during Phoenix testing. Schumacher got the lion’s share of votes from our panel, with at least one declaring Kalitta a winner and one going with upset-minded J.R. Todd, who could have a shot if he continues to plague the three-time champion as he did in 2006.

Pending a meltdown, it’s Schumacher’s title to lose. But you never know what might be headed down the pike in the rough and tumble world of NHRA Top Fuel.

1.    Tony Schumacher
2.    Doug Kalitta
3.    Brandon Bernstein
4.    Hot Rod Fuller
5.    J.R. Todd
6.    Larry Dixon
7.    Morgan Lucas
8.    Melanie Troxel
9.    Cory McClenathan
10.    Whit Bazemore

The Final Four –

1.    Tony Schumacher
2.    Brandon Bernstein
3.    Hot Rod Fuller
4.    J.R. Todd

The Final Two –

1.    Tony Schumacher
2.    J.R. Todd

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Click to visit our sponsor's website 

FUNNY CAR – PREDICTED CHAMPION – RON CAPPS

Our panel was evenly divided between Ron Capps and John Force on winning the title. With the old system, Force would be a no-brainer. However, the new Countdown to the Championship will provide the ammo that Capps will need to regroup from those unfortunate slumps he’s been prone to experience in the past.

Force has always provided a cushion for himself when he needed it, but this time around a number of factors could put him in the doghouse for the championship. One that comes to mind is Force’s natural proclivity to stress over his daughter Ashley (who will hold her own) and that might cost him a round here and there during the critical times.

Making a late push will be Team Force speed demon and Force son-in-law Robert Hight. Credit this to Jimmy Prock’s tendency to go for the jugular.

Our prediction is that Capps will lead early, fall behind and win in the clutch despite a nervous stomach at Pomona 2. Here’s how it all shakes out.

1.    Ron Capps
2.    Robert Hight
3.    John Force
4.    Gary Scelzi
5.    Eric Medlen
6.    Jack Beckman
7.    Tommy Johnson, Jr.
8.    Mike Ashley
9.    Tony Pedregon
10.    Del Worsham

The Final Four –

1.    Robert Hight
2.    Ron Capps
3.    John Force
4.    Gary Scelzi

The Final Two -

1.    Ron Capps
2.    Robert Hight

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Click to visit our sponsor's website

PRO STOCK – PREDICTED CHAMPION – GREG ANDERSON

Jason Line earned the opportunity to taste the ceremonial champagne during the 2006 season. He’ll come out of the gate firing the big numbers with his teammate Greg Anderson remaining within striking distance. They will trade barbs back and forth except when those pesky Team Cagnazzi drivers (Dave Connolly and Jeg Coughlin, Jr.) snag a win or two…or three, during the initial run for the top eight.

This 2007 championship will have all the makings of a great WWE tag team wresting experience once we get down to the top eight. That’s where you will see a pile driver or two from Anderson, a sleeper hold from Connolly, a head butt from Coughlin and a figure four leg lock from Line (probably a repeat of Virginia).

In the end, Coughlin and Line will grapple between themselves, enabling a last minute pin by Anderson over Connolly.

And just to think, you thought this ‘rasslin stuff was fake.

1.    Jason Line
2.    Greg Anderson
3.    Dave Connolly
4.    Jeg Coughlin, Jr.
5.    Warren Johnson
6.    Allen Johnson
7.    Mike Edwards
8.    Warren Johnson
9.    Jim Yates
10.    Larry Morgan

The Final Four –

1.    Greg Anderson
2.    Dave Connolly
3.    Jeg Coughlin, Jr.
4.    Jason Line

The Final Two -

1.    Greg Anderson
2.    Dave Connolly

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

Click to visit our sponsor's website

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE - PREDICTED CHAMPION - ANTRON BROWN

Hell hath no fury like an Army man scorned. If you want to get a glimpse of what 2007 will be, bring out the TiVo and watch those final races of last season. Switch positions between Antron Brown and Andrew Hines and you’ll get a glimpse of what we’ll see 23 national events later. The Screamin’ Eagle team will win and win and win. In fact, we see them being the team to win the most races and lose the championship.

Brown will keep pace but in Pomona will storm the complex and take the title to Army man land. Teammate Angelle Sampey will be there in a supporting role, but clearly Brown is the man. Probably the largest surprise will come from Steve “I won Indy days later” Johnson. Not only will he make it into final four, he will be a player until the end.

It will be a monumental victory for Brown and a stunning defeat for the argument that suggests the Harley-Davidsons have an unfair advantage.


1.    Matt Hines
2.    Antron Brown
3.    Angelle Sampey
4.    Chip Ellis
5.    Steve Johnson
6.    Karen Stoffer
7.    Matt Smith
8.    Matt Guidera
9.    Craig Treble
10.    Ryan Schnitz

The Final Four –

1.    Hines
2.    Brown
3.    Sampey
4.    Steve Johnson

The Final Two –

1.    Brown
2.    Hines