Simulated racing seasons (interactive)

[Honolulu Blue]

Guys, I need your help.

I need to do some testing for my race sim engine and I'd like some ideas about who to test. Currently I will be testing Tony Stewart and the #20 team, along with Ken Schrader and the #49 team. Who else would you like me to sim out the 2003 season for?

Thanks for your input.

[Kevin]

88

[RendeR]

#18 Bobby Labonte
#5 Terry Labonte
#40 Sterling Marlin

[QuikSand]

I've never heard of any of these horses.

[condors]

#99 jeff burton and #6 mark martin

[illinifan999]

#24 Jeff Gordon

[Bee]

Originally posted by QuikSand
I've never heard of any of these horses.

I think it may be greyhounds.

[Honolulu Blue]

First out of the blocks in my series of sim tests is Tony Stewart. He won the Winston Cup championship last year, and is expected to contend again this year. Will the fates smile on him?

They did, sort of. Tony won the spring race at Bristol and followed it up later with a victory at Fontana. Alas, his next victory wasn't until nearly the end of the season at Atlanta. But he finished with five poles and numerous good finishes, and he would have to be pleased with where he ended up. His owner Joe Gibbs was concerned about the four engines that Tony cooked during the season.

20-Tony Stewart

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

3	12	24	5	4



#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		2	26			8-Earnhardt Jr.

2	Rockingham	6	10			8-Earnhardt Jr.

3	Las Vegas	17	9			24-Gordon

4	Atlanta		2	10			6-Martin

5	Darlington	13	3			17-Kenseth

6	Bristol		7	1			20-STEWART

7	Texas		25	6			17-Kenseth

8	Talladega	17	7			15-Waltrip

9	Martinsville	9	43	Engine		97-Busch		

10	Fontana		3	1			20-STEWART

11	Richmond	18	14			97-Busch

12	Charlotte	20	10			12-Newman

13	Dover		1	9			40-Marlin

14	Pocono		10	39	Engine		48-Johnson

15	Michigan	29	2			6-Martin

16	Sears Point	4	43	Engine		24-Gordon

17	Daytona		29	12			97-Busch

18	Chicago		22	13			40-Marlin	

19	Loudon		1	5			97-Busch

20	Pocono		24	3			9-Elliott

21	Indianapolis	3	4			88-Jarrett

22	Watkins Glen	24	12			6-Martin

23	Michigan	1	4			16-Biffle(!)

24	Bristol		1	34	Engine		1-Park(!!)

25	Darlington	16	13			18-B. Labonte

26	Richmond	31	4			97-Busch

27	Loudon		18	17			24-Gordon

28	Dover		25	8			97-Busch

29	Talladega	12	8			15-Waltrip

30	Kansas City	20	6			97-Busch	

31	Charlotte	10	7			6-Martin

32	Martinsville	10	3			17-Kenseth

33	Atlanta		17	1			20-STEWART

34	Phoenix		12	18			48-Johnson

35	Rockingham	1	10			88-Jarrett

36	Miami		6	2			8-Earnhardt Jr.

NEXT: Ken Schrader goes BAM.

[FBPro]

Looking good.

[Honolulu Blue]

The next test is with a not-too-bad driver for a hopeless team. No one expects Ken to make it to the top 10 this year; he couldn't do it last year with a better team. But how well can the ladies & gentlemen at BAM Racing do?

Well, in this iteration, not too well. His best qualifying efforts were 22nd at Texas and Loudon. Best finish? 25th at the Charlotte spring race. By the middle of the season, rumors were floating around that Ken would be replaced with a better driver (like Derrike Cope). But they stuck with Ken, through all those DNQ's (13) and DNF's (10). Ugly.

NOTE: I should say here that in its current version, the race formula does not allow for provisionals. The best 43 drivers are assumed to make it on time, and the other three (the field is fixed at 46) go home. Ken's number of DNQ's will probably be lower in real life because (1) he'll have provisionals, and (2) most fields should be smaller than 46.

   

49-Ken Schrader

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	0	0	0	10



#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		23	34	accident	8-Earnhardt Jr.

2	Rockingham	DNQ	DNQ			40-Marlin

3	Las Vegas	35	31			17-Kenseth

4	Atlanta		42	42	accident	20-Stewart

5	Darlington	DNQ	DNQ			20-Stewart

6	Bristol		DNQ	DNQ			20-Stewart

7	Texas		22	41			17-Kenseth

8	Talladega	DNQ	DNQ			6-Martin

9	Martinsville	28	43	mechanical	2-R. Wallace

10	Fontana		38	40	accident	97-Busch

11	Richmond	27	43			17-Kenseth

12	Charlotte	38	25	mechanical	20-Stewart

13	Dover		DNQ	DNQ			6-Martin

14	Pocono		DNQ	DNQ			40-Marlin

15	Michigan	39	42	accident	20-Stewart

16	Sears Point	DNQ	DNQ			20-Stewart

17	Daytona		DNQ	DNQ			6-Martin

18	Chicago		24	30			48-Johnson

19	Loudon		37	28			6-Martin

20	Pocono		22	26			12-Newman

21	Indianapolis	DNQ	DNQ			20-Stewart

22	Watkins Glen	32	34			97-Busch

23	Michigan	30	37			20-Stewart

24	Bristol		DNQ	DNQ			2-R. Wallace

25	Darlington	28	41			88-Jarrett

26	Richmond	36	35			17-Kenseth

27	Loudon		22	32	mechanical	40-Marlin

28	Dover		32	37	mechanical	88-Jarrett

29	Talladega	36	39			8-Earnhardt Jr.

30	Kansas City	DNQ	DNQ			40-Marlin

31	Charlotte	DNQ	DNQ			9-Elliott

32	Martinsville	DNQ	DNQ			20-Stewart

33	Atlanta		39	41			48-Johnson

34	Phoenix		36	41			48-Johnson

35	Rockingham	43	40			12-Newman

36	Miami		37	42	engine		8-Earnhardt Jr.

NEXT: The Labontes!

[Patman]

Wow, that was a pretty bad season for Ken

[Honolulu Blue]

After winning the Winston Cup championship in 2000, Bobby slipped all the way to 16th last year. Can he do better this time around?

Yes, with some qualifications. No poles or wins on the year (best qualifying: 2nd at the spring Bristol race; best race: 2nd at the spring Charlotte and fall Richmond races), but enough top 5s and 10s to make Interstate Batteries happy.

18-Bobby Labonte

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	9	18	0	3



#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		28	7			6-Martin

2	Rockingham	20	11			20=Stewart

3	Las Vegas	3	16			40-Marlin

4	Atlanta		21	26			17-Kenseth

5	Darlington	37	27			40-Marlin

6	Bristol		2	3			99-J. Burton

7	Texas		20	9			20-Stewart

8	Talladega	4	31	mechanical	40-Marlin

9	Martinsville	7	10			12-Newman

10	Fontana		23	10			88-Jarrett

11	Richmond	4	33			12-Newman

12	Charlotte	8	2			6-Martin

13	Dover		11	9			8-Earnhardt Jr.

14	Pocono		27	33	engine		17-Kenseth

15	Michigan	14	5			40-Marlin

16	Sears Point	4	15			24-Gordon

17	Daytona		17	4			15-Waltrip

18	Chicago		11	12			40-Marlin

19	Loudon		11	3			97-Busch

20	Pocono		11	40	engine		40-Marlin

21	Indianapolis	28	5			17-Kenseth

22	Watkins Glen	31	8			24-Gordon

23	Michigan	21	10			97-Busch

24	Bristol		4	5			48-Johnson

25	Darlington	22	8			6-Martin

26	Richmond	28	2			8-Earnhardt Jr.

27	Loudon		6	16			20-Stewart

28	Dover		32	15			40-Marlin

29	Talladega	18	24			8-Earnhardt Jr.

30	Kansas City	14	17			24-Gordon	

31	Charlotte	7	18			40-Marlin

32	Martinsville	15	10			20-Stewart

33	Atlanta		32	26			97-Busch

34	Phoenix		24	14			20-Stewart

35	Rockingham	11	4			40-Marlin

36	Miami		33	17			48-Johnson

NEXT: Terry Labonte

[Honolulu Blue]

Terry has won two Winston Cup championships in his career - in 1984 and 1996. But lately he's been a 3rd or 4th stringer on the Hendrick team. Can Texas Terry make one more run at the title before retiring?

The luck of the draw was not kind to Terry. Actually, the first third of the season wasn't TOO bad, with four top-20 finishes and even a top-10 (6th at Talladega). But the DNQ's and DNF's started to stack up after Dover, and the 5 team had just one top 20 the rest of the season. It's enough to make you want to cry in your Frosted Flakes.

NOTE: I don't like these results because I think they are below Terry's true ability. So I tweaked some of his numbers upward. This is not reflected in the chart below.

5-Terry Labonte

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	0	1	0	11





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		34	36			15-Waltrip

2	Rockingham	DNQ	DNQ			88-Jarrett

3	Las Vegas	32	18			17-Kenseth

4	Atlanta		27	22			12-Newman

5	Darlington	36	11			8-Earnhardt Jr.

6	Bristol		14	35	accident	12-Newman

7	Texas		25	31	mechanical	8-Earnhardt Jr.

8	Talladega	30	6			8-Earnhardt Jr.

9	Martinsville	31	26			2-R. Wallace

10	Fontana		42	28			6-Martin

11	Richmond	43	38	accident	8-Earnhardt Jr.

12	Charlotte	21	26	accident	48-Johnson

13	Dover		24	13			17-Kenseth

14	Pocono		30	34			20-Stewart

15	Michigan	DNQ	DNQ			17-Kenseth

16	Sears Point	DNQ	DNQ			24-Gordon

17	Daytona		43	41			6-Martin

18	Chicago		27	25			20-Stewart

19	Loudon		24	30			17-Kenseth

20	Pocono		12	29	engine		17-Kenseth

21	Indianapolis	37	28	mechanical	40-Marlin		

22	Watkins Glen	33	33			2-R. Wallace

23	Michigan	35	32	mechanical	40-Marlin

24	Bristol		42	42	accident	97-Busch

25	Darlington	42	35	accident	40-Marlin

26	Richmond	15	17			20-Stewart

27	Loudon		DNQ	DNQ			12-Newman

28	Dover		DNQ	DNQ			12-Newman

29	Talladega	20	40			15-Waltrip

30	Kansas City	DNQ	DNQ			48-Johnson

31	Charlotte	34	25			88-Jarrett

32	Martinsville	39	37			97-Busch

33	Atlanta		21	26	mechanical	20-Stewart

34	Phoenix		40	38	accident	17-Kenseth

35	Rockingham	DNQ	DNQ			2-R. Wallace

36	Miami		DNQ	DNQ			24-Gordon

NEXT: The Coors Lite guy

[DataKing]

I'd like to see you test #2 Rusty Wallace.

And if you really want to put this thing through its paces, see how it handles a rookie. Try Greg Biffle in the #60 Grainger Ford (Roush Racing).

[cmp]

I'd like to see #10 Johnny Benson.

[Honolulu Blue]

Sterling's career had been on the upswing the past two years, staying in the top 10 in points from the beginning of '01 until a few weeks after his late season wreck last season. Can he come back?

The RNG gods say yes. Two poles (Loudon & Phoenix) and a victory at Michigan showed that he still had the stuff to win. He also had multiple good finishes to keep the boys in Golden happy.

40-Sterling Marlin

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

1	15	19	2	2





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		33	13			48-Johnson

2	Rockingham	3	2			8-Earnhardt Jr.

3	Las Vegas	34	26			9-Elliott

4	Atlanta		5	13			20-Stewart

5	Darlington	17	5			17-Kenseth

6	Bristol		DNQ	DNQ			9-Elliott

7	Texas		8	3			20-Stewart

8	Talladega	27	3			8-Earnhardt Jr.

9	Martinsville	41	41	accident	24-Gordon

10	Fontana		14	9			24-Gordon

11	Richmond	37	34			2-R. Wallace

12	Charlotte	9	2			17-Kenseth

13	Dover		3	4			24-Gordon

14	Pocono		8	20			97-Busch

15	Michigan	27	1			40-MARLIN

16	Sears Point	DNQ	DNQ			6-Martin

17	Daytona		25	2			8-Earnhardt Jr.

18	Chicago		17	15			8-Earnhardt Jr.

19	Loudon		31	2			8-Earnhardt Jr.

20	Pocono		27	8			17-Kenseth

21	Indianapolis	20	2			97-Busch

22	Watkins Glen	7	4			97-Busch

23	Michigan	6	9			24-Gordon

24	Bristol		8	37	accident	12-Newman	

25	Darlington	7	12			9-Elliott

26	Richmond	24	22			12-Newman

27	Loudon		1	12			20-Stewart

28	Dover		10	6			20-Stewart

29	Talladega	34	11			20-Stewart

30	Kansas City	10	4			2-R. Wallace

31	Charlotte	3	16			97-Busch

32	Martinsville	35	2			16-Biffle

33	Atlanta		14	17			88-Jarrett

34	Phoenix		1	16			17-Kenseth

35	Rockingham	6	5			8-Earnhardt Jr.

36	Miami		2	5			97-Busch

NEXT: The Roush spear carriers

[Honolulu Blue]

Jeff was considered the smart man's contender for the Winston Cup crown two or three years ago after coming close a few times. But the emergence of the young guns has pushed him down the charts. Can this middle-aged gun make a strong showing?

Even Jeff's fans will admit he's never qualified well. The sim engine takes that into account. This time around, he only qualified in the top 10 four times, with a high of 7th at Indianapolis. Out of that came two top 5 finishes (5th at Daytona, 4th at Atlanta), and several other top 10s. But no wins, and that would be a disappointment.

99-Jeff Burton

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	2	8	0	7







#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		26	5			6-Martin

2	Rockingham	14	21	accident	8-Earnhardt Jr.		

3	Las Vegas	19	36	accident	17-Kenseth		

4	Atlanta		10	4			16-Biffle

5	Darlington	12	26			9-Elliott

6	Bristol		28	22			16-Biffle(!)

7	Texas		23	9			24-Gordon

8	Talladega	16	17			20-Stewart

9	Martinsville	32	14			24-Gordon

10	Fontana		16	26			48-Johnson

11	Richmond	43	30			97-Busch

12	Charlotte	16	43	engine		38-Sadler(!)

13	Dover		40	11			40-Marlin

14	Pocono		17	8			48-Johnson

15	Michigan	13	14			40-Marlin

16	Sears Point	11	12			20-Stewart

17	Daytona		19	42	engine		12-Newman

18	Chicago		20	8			8-Earnhardt Jr.

19	Loudon		37	29	accident	20-Stewart

20	Pocono		DNQ	DNQ			48-Johnson

21	Indianapolis	7	23			97-Busch

22	Watkins Glen	25	18			20-Stewart

23	Michigan	14	6			9-Elliott

24	Bristol		14	28			38-Sadler(!!)

25	Darlington	39	26			48-Johnson

26	Richmond	13	27			6-Martin

27	Loudon		10	41	engine		97-Busch

28	Dover		17	23			6-Martin

29	Talladega	42	29			8-Earnhardt Jr.

30	Kansas City	28	10			97-Busch

31	Charlotte	30	25			17-Kenseth

32	Martinsville	14	41	mechanical	20-Stewart		

33	Atlanta		11	25			20-Stewart

34	Phoenix		10	6			48-Johnson

35	Rockingham	39	26			6-Martin

36	Miami		20	18			48-Johnson

NEXT: Mark Martin and the little blue car.

[RendeR]

I'm very interested in how you're simulating all this, can you give me some ideas on how you put this together? If you need input on specifics for drivers, or items that should be included in the whole thing let me know, I'd love to be involved. This is looking very interesting so far!

keep up the great work!



Ren

[Honolulu Blue]

Originally posted by RendeR
I'm very interested in how you're simulating all this, can you give me some ideas on how you put this together? If you need input on specifics for drivers, or items that should be included in the whole thing let me know, I'd love to be involved. This is looking very interesting so far!

keep up the great work!

On your last point, thank you! And I'll do my best.

The sim engine is basically the same one I used here in this dynasty 1 1/2 years ago. I've tweaked it and reworked it a little, and that's what I'm using here.

To make a long story very short, this is how I sim each race:

1) Open spreadsheet
2) Rate each driver on several factors
3) Rate each team on several more factors
4) Add 'em up
5) Add a random number
6) Rank the results. That's qualifying.
7) Add differently weighted numbers
8) Add another random number
9) Rank those results. That's the race.

I can't imagine anything I need so far, unless you happen to be an insider. I do welcome suggestions, and probably the best place for that is this poll thread.

[Honolulu Blue]

Mark had made the top 10 in points for the past dozen years or so, except for 2001, when all of the Roush teams had subpar years. He rebounded to second last year. Can he continue to win and finish well?

Certainly, according to the RNG gods. No poles (best was third, twice), but he did take a win at Kansas City along with several second place showings. Not his best season, but almost any other driver would have been happy with it.

6-Mark Martin

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

1	14	21	0	3





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		36	4			15-Waltrip

2	Rockingham	4	11			17-Kenseth

3	Las Vegas	30	5			12-Newman

4	Atlanta		23	26			18-B. Labonte

5	Darlington	32	10			12-Newman

6	Bristol		35	25			20-Stewart

7	Texas		29	14			18-B. Labonte

8	Talladega	35	4			15-Waltrip

9	Martinsville	35	33			12-Newman

10	Fontana		9	5			97-Busch

11	Richmond	23	2			97-Busch

12	Charlotte	17	18			40-Marlin

13	Dover		3	5			15-Waltrip

14	Pocono		26	7			17-Kenseth

15	Michigan	20	5			48-Johnson

16	Sears Point	10	18			20-Stewart

17	Daytona		20	18			24-Gordon

18	Chicago		30	2			20-Stewart

19	Loudon		16	13			15-M. Waltrip

20	Pocono		4	2			40-Marlin

21	Indianapolis	4	32	accident	8-Earnhardt Jr.

22	Watkins Glen	16	4			20-Stewart

23	Michigan	17	4			20-Stewart

24	Bristol		4	6			20-Stewart

25	Darlington	34	30	accident	97-Busch

26	Richmond	28	10			20-Stewart

27	Loudon		3	2			88-Jarrett

28	Dover		8	7			20-Stewart

29	Talladega	13	26			8-Earnhardt Jr.

30	Kansas City	23	1			6-MARTIN

31	Charlotte	6	6			9-Elliott

32	Martinsville	6	15			99-J. Burton

33	Atlanta		8	40	mechanical	88-Jarrett

34	Phoenix		7	5			24-Gordon

35	Rockingham	11	10			12-Newman

36	Miami		14	16			88-Jarrett

NEXT: Jeff Gordon.

[Honolulu Blue]

If you're reading this, you've probably heard of this guy. Can he continue to do the things he's done for the past decade?

But of course. This would be a typical year for Jeff, perhaps a touch on the disappointing side. His first six races were quite disappointing, with only one top 10 among them. But he started to turn it on at Texas with a solid second behind Dale Jarrett. In the next race at Talladega, Gordon won... Robby, that is. Jeff finished 19th there. His first win came at Richmond, which he took from the pole. He also won at Watkins Glen and the fall Charlotte race. In addition to the wins, Jeff also had five poles.

24-Jeff Gordon

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

4	10	15	5	3









#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		18	24			97-Busch

2	Rockingham	24	17			97-Busch

3	Las Vegas	11	8			40-Marlin

4	Atlanta		16	12			9-Elliott

5	Darlington	18	21			16-Biffle

6	Bristol		13	39	engine		6-Martin

7	Texas		4	2			88-Jarrett

8	Talladega	9	19			31-R. Gordon(!)

9	Martinsville	17	15			17-Kenseth

10	Fontana		1	6			40-Marlin

11	Richmond	1	1			24-GORDON

12	Charlotte	9	30			17-Kenseth

13	Dover		1	22			6-Martin

14	Pocono		1	7			40-Marlin

15	Michigan	22	15			97-Busch

16	Sears Point	23	5			2-R. Wallace

17	Daytona		11	18			97-Busch

18	Chicago		5	16			6-Martin

19	Loudon		8	3			9-Elliott

20	Pocono		6	3			20-Stewart

21	Indianapolis	9	9			20-Stewart

22	Watkins Glen	8	1			24-GORDON

23	Michigan	5	16			6-Martin

24	Bristol		19	14			20-Stewart

25	Darlington	28	25			40-Marlin	

26	Richmond	8	2			32-Craven(!!)

27	Loudon		2	23			97-Busch

28	Dover		4	2			17-Kenseth

29	Talladega	5	24			40-Marlin

30	Kansas City	17	27			88-Jarrett

31	Charlotte	20	1			24-GORDON

32	Martinsville	1	20			18-B. Labonte

33	Atlanta		17	7			48-Johnson

34	Phoenix		1	4			6-Martin

35	Rockingham	23	11			20-Stewart

36	Miami		4	12			48-Johnson

NEXT: Rusty Wallace

[FBPro]

HB,

Is this something that you are looking to develop into a NASCAR sim?

[Honolulu Blue]

Originally posted by FBPro
Is this something that you are looking to develop into a NASCAR sim?

Yes.

Moving along...

Rusty had a subpar season by his own standards with no victories (again) and only one pole (at Watkins Glen). His best finish was third, three times (Daytona, Bristol, Indy).

  

2-Rusty Wallace

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	8	13	1	4





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		11	3			97-Busch

2	Rockingham	33	18			97-Busch

3	Las Vegas	21	5			97-Busch

4	Atlanta		12	22			12-Newman

5	Darlington	15	24			9-Elliott

6	Bristol		28	3			12-Newman

7	Texas		5	9			48-Johnson

8	Talladega	34	4			8-Earnhardt Jr.

9	Martinsville	26	17			6-Martin	

10	Fontana		5	5			97-Busch

11	Richmond	5	31	mechanical	97-Busch

12	Charlotte	18	31	mechanical	20-Stewart

13	Dover		5	14			88-Jarrett

14	Pocono		5	14			48-Johnson

15	Michigan	14	43			9-Jarrett

16	Sears Point	26	21			20-Stewart

17	Daytona		13	25			20-Stewart

18	Chicago		28	6			20-Stewart

19	Loudon		12	25			12-Newman

20	Pocono		34	33			88-Jarrett

21	Indianapolis	28	3			17-Kenseth

22	Watkins Glen	1	5			19-Mayfield(!)

23	Michigan	8	4			48-Johnson

24	Bristol		24	32			97-Busch

25	Darlington	4	24			48-Johnson

26	Richmond	13	15			6-Martin

27	Loudon		9	16			24-Gordon

28	Dover		17	24			17-Kenseth

29	Talladega	26	11			48-Johnson

30	Kansas City	19	15			88-Jarrett

31	Charlotte	12	8			20-Stewart

32	Martinsville	4	6			97-Busch

33	Atlanta		17	24			9-Elliott

34	Phoenix		7	22			17-Kenseth

35	Rockingham	29	21			38-Sadler(!)

36	Miami		27	32			20-Stewart

 

NEXT: Greg Biffle, the rookie.

[Honolulu Blue]

Greg has won championships in the trucks and the Busch series. Now he's trying to do the same in Winston Cup. This will be his first full season, so no one expects too much from him.

His season had its ups and downs, highlighted by the four poles (including both Richmond races) and a second place finish at the Talladega roller coaster. Overall not a bad first season.

16-Greg Biffle

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	5	13	4	4





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		11	26			15-Waltrip	

2	Rockingham	20	24			97-Busch

3	Las Vegas	28	3			8-Earnhardt Jr.

4	Atlanta		22	32			88-Jarrett

5	Darlington	4	15			20-Stewart

6	Bristol		2	29			17-Kenseth

7	Texas		2	9			20-Stewart

8	Talladega	8	23			8-Earnhardt Jr.

9	Martinsville	16	19			6-Martin

10	Fontana		25	7			88-Jarrett

11	Richmond	1	6			97-Busch

12	Charlotte	13	33			48-Johnson

13	Dover		7	9			40-Marlin

14	Pocono		4	13			12-Newman

15	Michigan	7	11			20-Stewart

16	Sears Point	26	15			48-Johnson

17	Daytona		25	34			31-R. Gordon(!)

18	Chicago		23	5			88-Jarrett

19	Loudon		1	29	mechanical	12-Newman

20	Pocono		4	16			97-Busch

21	Indianapolis	19	7			40-Marlin

22	Watkins Glen	37	20			24-Gordon

23	Michigan	6	23			12-Newman

24	Bristol		11	19			20-Stewart

25	Darlington	12	11			20-Stewart

26	Richmond	1	12			17-Kenseth

27	Loudon		18	10			20-Stewart

28	Dover		14	19			17-Kenseth

29	Talladega	16	2			38-Sadler

30	Kansas City	2	10			97-Busch

31	Charlotte	25	40	accident	20-Stewart		

32	Martinsville	1	37	accident	97-Busch

33	Atlanta		9	4			40-Marlin

34	Phoenix		3	5			20-Stewart

35	Rockingham	38	10			18-B. Labonte

36	Miami		4	34	mechanical	20-Stewart

NEXT: Johnny Benson

[Honolulu Blue]

Being the only full-time Winston Cup driver from Michigan, I've always kind of rooted for Johnny to do well. His first win last year was great; unfortunately, the rest of the year - with its two injury time outs - mostly sucked. Can Johnny regain his touch?

Yes and no. I couldn't massage a victory out of him, darn it, and his best qualifying effort were a couple of 9ths (Talladega and Daytona). But he did finish third at Talaldega and fifth at the always fun late summer Bristol race. Probably would have done better except he DNF'd in a quarter of the races.

10-Johnny Benson

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	2	8	0	9





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		20	38	engine		29-Harvick

2	Rockingham	36	36			12-Newman

3	Las Vegas	41	21			20-Stewart

4	Atlanta		12	43	mechanical	12-Newman	

5	Darlington	17	9			9-Elliott

6	Bristol		34	23			5-T. Labonte(!!!!!)

7	Texas		26	30			12-Newman

8	Talladega	9	9			97-Busch

9	Martinsville	18	39	mechanical	97-Busch	

10	Fontana		36	8			2-R. Wallace

11	Richmond	27	34			48-Johnson

12	Charlotte	18	39	accident	48-Johnson

13	Dover		27	37	engine		40-Marlin

14	Pocono		33	9			40-Marlin

15	Michigan	18	26			20-Stewart

16	Sears Point	40	10			48-Johnson

17	Daytona		9	10			15-Waltrip

18	Chicago		DNQ	DNQ			20-Stewart

19	Loudon		39	23			17-Kenseth

20	Pocono		29	35	mechanical	8-Earnhardt Jr.

21	Indianapolis	40	32			88-Jarrett

22	Watkins Glen	30	27			20-Stewart

23	Michigan	36	28			97-Busch

24	Bristol		36	5			17-Kenseth

25	Darlington	15	28	engine		97-Busch

26	Richmond	25	12			17-Kenseth

27	Loudon		24	9			97-Busch

28	Dover		38	29			88-Jarrett

29	Talladega	16	3			97-Busch

30	Kansas City	27	32	accident	97-Busch

31	Charlotte	13	11			6-Martin

32	Martinsville	23	41			48-Johnson

33	Atlanta		11	25			24-Gordon

34	Phoenix		38	26			6-Martin

35	Rockingham	19	41	accident	40-Marlin

36	Miami		31	23			12-Newman

NEXT: An extra special mystery driver!

[Honolulu Blue]

At 15th in the points standings last year Ricky Craven and the PPI Motorsports 32 team beat out Bobby Labonte and all of the RCR cars, among others. No one seriously thinks Ricky can be a championship contender, but given a little (OK, a lot) of luck, he could sneak into the top 10. So how does my fancy little simulator evaluate him?

Since this is probably my last go-round with the sim for awhile, allow me to describe Ricky's season in a little more detail. Ricky qualified third at Daytona but could do no better than 21st in the race. After a ho hum 27th at the Rock, he scored his first top 10 at Las Vegas (exactly 10th) and followed it up with another at Atlanta (7th). Then came a forgettable race at Darlington (started 35th, finished 37th - but at least he took the checkered flag), after which were two more top 10s at Bristol (7th) and Texas (6th).

Mechanical gremlins gave him a substandard finish at Talladega (35th) and he was just well beaten at Martinsville and Fontana (17th and 18th). Then came his most impressive run - from qualifying 33rd, he took third at Richmond.

That was his last top 10 for a long time - Indianapolis, actually, where he took 4th. After two mid-pack runs at the Glen and Michigan (21st and 20th), he took another top 10 (9th) at Bristol. Ricky finished 17th at Darlington, then earned his only pole of the season at Richmond. It didn't help him during the race as he finished 36th and several laps down.

He followed up the disappointment at Richmond with two top 10 finishes in the northeast - 5th at Loudon and 10th at Dover. His last top 10 came seven races later at Rockingham.

Ricky probably didn't finish in the top 10, but he did a fine job for someone who isn't owned by one of the big guns.

32-Ricky Craven

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

0	3	9	1	5







#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		3	21			88-Jarrett

2	Rockingham	14	27	accident	97-Busch

3	Las Vegas	10	10			48-Johnson

4	Atlanta		13	7			97-Busch

5	Darlington	35	37			48-Johnson

6	Bristol		3	7			8-Earnhardt Jr.

7	Texas		11	6			24-Gordon

8	Talladega	31	35	mechanical	18-B. Labonte

9	Martinsville	29	17			97-Busch

10	Fontana		11	18			6-Martin	

11	Richmond	33	3			40-Marlin

12	Charlotte	8	19			40-Marlin

13	Dover		8	29			97-Busch

14	Pocono		33	33	mechanical	18-B. Labonte

15	Michigan	31	12			6-Martin

16	Sears Point	18	18			20-Stewart

17	Daytona		40	27			15-Waltrip

18	Chicago		39	33			12-Newman

19	Loudon		35	15			17-Kenseth			

20	Pocono		8	36	accident	40-Marlin

21	Indianapolis	27	4			20-Stewart

22	Watkins Glen	22	21			24-Gordon

23	Michigan	16	20			9-Elliott

24	Bristol		30	9			12-Newman

25	Darlington	7	17			88-Jarrett

26	Richmond	1	36			97-Busch

27	Loudon		16	5			6-Martin

28	Dover		9	10			40-Marlin

29	Talladega	21	24			97-Busch

30	Kansas City	23	23			20-Stewart

31	Charlotte	7	13			88-Jarrett

32	Martinsville	33	33	accident	20-Stewart

33	Atlanta		31	22			9-Elliott

34	Phoenix		41	25			8-Earnhardt Jr.

35	Rockingham	4	6			8-Earnhardt Jr.

36	Miami		5	20			8-Earnhardt Jr.

This ends this dynasty report/experiment. Thank you for your participation and thanks for reading.

[cmp]

Thanks for posting these results, but I sure hope Benson has a better season then that.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Do #8

[Honolulu Blue]

Dale Jr. has had some wins here and there, and shown a mastery of the restrictor plate superspeedways. But his father was (arguably) the greatest driver in NASCAR history, and so he has a huge legacy to live up to. Can he do it?

Not this time around. I've had sims where Dale Jr. popped up in victory lane all the time, but I couldn't do it in this one. He could only win the spring Talladega race and the Southern 500 at Darlington. He did win five poles, though. Clearly not a championship season, but perhaps one will come in time.

    

8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	DNFs

2	9	15	5	5





#	Location	Qual	Finish	DNF		Winner

1	Daytona		1	4			1-Park(!)

2	Rockingham	1	19			9-Elliott

3	Las Vegas	11	25	mechanical	6-Martin

4	Atlanta		13	15			20-Stewart

5	Darlington	25	20			88-Jarrett

6	Bristol		5	5			18-B. Labonte

7	Texas		4	12			6-Martin

8	Talladega	1	1			8-EARNHARDT JR.

9	Martinsville	12	6			24-Gordon

10	Fontana		5	3			20-Stewart

11	Richmond	2	12			18-B. Labonte

12	Charlotte	32	10			16-Biffle

13	Dover		25	14			9-Elliott

14	Pocono		16	12			20-Stewart

15	Michigan	29	24			88-Jarrett

16	Sears Point	14	2			12-Newman

17	Daytona		1	3			15-Waltrip

18	Chicago		18	20			88-Jarrett

19	Loudon		24	7			6-Martin

20	Pocono		2	8			88-Jarrett

21	Indianapolis	18	27	mechanical	40-Marlin

22	Watkins Glen	13	3			20-Stewart

23	Michigan	13	21			16-Biffle

24	Bristol		33	21			88-Jarrett

25	Darlington	4	1			8-EARNHARDT JR.

26	Richmond	13	31	engine		97-Busch

27	Loudon		7	6			24-Gordon

28	Dover		5	17			48-Johnson

29	Talladega	3	16			12-Newman

30	Kansas City	1	15			12-Newman

31	Charlotte	2	13			40-Marlin

32	Martinsville	18	42	engine		97-Busch

33	Atlanta		31	4			12-Newman

34	Phoenix		15	19			17-Kenseth

35	Rockingham	9	6			97-Busch

36	Miami		16	43	engine		97-Busch