20 Bold (and Probably False) Predictions for the NASCAR Offseason
During the offseason anything can, and will, happen. With pit crew changes, teams cutting back to two cars, and other changes, the offseason is off to an early shake up that will have fans wondering what some teams were thinking. Here are some silly, and almost certainly false, predictions of what may happen in the offseason.
Prediction No. 1: Gordon Retires
1 of 20
After watching teammate and friend Jimmie Johnson win his fifth title in a row, Jeff Gordon retires from the sport citing the need for more “family time.” He then announces he will be a commentator on ESPN.
Prediction No. 2: Johnson Goes to Trucks
2 of 20
Jimmie Johnson steps down from racing in the Sprint Cup to try and earn five consecutive championships in the Truck series. “I’ve always wanted to race trucks, I feel that the Sprint Cup has set me up perfectly for my ultimate goal of winning five consecutive championships in the truck series,” Johnson says in a press conference. Chad Knaus continues to be Johnson’s crew chief.
Prediction No. 3: Dale Jr. Gets Married
3 of 20
After two terrible seasons, Dale Jr. takes extreme measures. He gets married and announces that he is about to join the garage’s baby boom. He breaks Johnson’s streak of championships, making Jr. Nation wish the driver had gotten married sooner.
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Prediction No. 4: More Cars are Added to the Field
4 of 20
NASCAR adds seven more cars to the field, making it an even 50. “NASCAR decided that an even number of cars will increase viewership. Plus, the 43 cars in a field just didn’t seem to be enough at places like Daytona.”
Prediction No. 5: Races Shortened
5 of 20
Most of the races are cut down to 15 laps after complaints about the races being too long. Races such as Bristol will be 50 laps.
Prediction No. 6: NASCAR Legends Team
6 of 20
A group of drivers band together and start their own Sprint Cup team. Drivers Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Robby Gordon and Joe Nemacheck start a team called the “NASCAR Legends” team, which will field four cars for the drivers.
Prediction No. 7: Roadcourse Added to the Chase
7 of 20
Wisconsin’s road course is added to the Chase, taking the Sprint Cup to the state for the first time in years. The drivers all like the plan but the fans are split 50/50 on their reaction to the news.
Prediction No. 8: Daytona Becomes the Season Finale
8 of 20
Daytona becomes both the first and last race of the year and their July 4 weekend date is given to Homestead instead.
Prediction No. 9
9 of 20
NASCAR goes back to its roots, adding a non-points race on the beach. The race has a $10 million purse and attracts more fans than any other race in 2011.
Prediction No. 10: The Chase Is Gone
10 of 20
The Chase is retired after the fans start a letter writing campaign to NASCAR. Johnson anti-fans hope it will end his reign but he takes the lead after the second race of the season and wins by 500 points.
Prediction No. 11: Tampax Becomes a Sponsor
11 of 20
Tampax sponsors multiple cars, citing the up rise in female viewership of the races. Extenze is the co-sponsor of one of the cars.
Prediction No. 12: Coors Returns
12 of 20
Coors Light returns to the sport, sponsoring the No. 9 of Marcos Ambrose. The new sponsorship starts a battle of the beers, seeing other brands such as Milwaukie’s Best enter the sport.
Prediction No. 13: Commercial Breaks
13 of 20
More races take the limited commercial direction, with more commercials being shown side by side with the races. The new approach raises ratings.
Prediction No. 14: NASCAR vs. Football
14 of 20
With the NFL lockout, NASCAR is moved to a mainstream channel and draws in new fans. The sport comes to life like never seen before.
Prediction No. 15: More Chasers are Added
15 of 20
The Chase is extended to 15 drivers and the points aren’t reset at the end of 26 races. However, 16th place driver Tony Stewart scores the most points in the last 10 races and has more points than the year’s champion.
Prediction No. 16: Better Singers
16 of 20
NASCAR finally gets good singers for the national anthem after hearing the fan outcry about the butchering of the song.
Prediction No. 17: Fans Become Drivers
17 of 20
The fans are given a chance to drive in a race through a NASCAR promotion. A few of the fans are signed to contracts after showing their talents and it becomes an annual thing.
Prediction No. 18: Schedule Shortened
18 of 20
The schedule is shortened to 20 races, with multiple three week breaks during the season. The drivers praise the change but fan viewership drops.
Prediction No. 19: A Dirt Race Is Added
19 of 20
Eldora is put on the schedule, adding the first Sprint Cup dirt race. Tony Stewart wins it by three laps and a fan outcry is heard about him cheating.
Prediction No. 20: France Steps Down
20 of 20
Brian France steps down from his position after a scandal breaks that involves him attempting to rig races. Multiple drivers and owners back up the claim and he is never seen in motorsports again.
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