2014 4th Annual FABO NHRA "Pick 'Em" Game - Make Your Picks and Light 'Em Up!

[ocdart]

Strange racing yesterday with all of the weather-related interruptions and delays. You could tell by watching the TV coverage with all of the "filler" they were throwing in that they weren't going to get the entire event in on Sunday. But I thought they would at least finish it today (Monday) rather than holding the Funny Car final and the Pro Stock semi and final rounds for two weeks to the U.S. Nationals in Indy. Continuing weather must have been the reason since the forecast for the Brainerd, MN, area shows the first day of sunshine is Wednesday.
According to the NHRA.com website, the Lucas Oil Nationals Funny Car final will be "held at Indianapolis during the second qualifying session on Saturday". Whether the "second qualifying session" is Q2 Saturday afternoon or Q3 ("the second qualifying session on Saturday") Saturday evening is unclear. The Pro Stock semi-final and final rounds from Brainerd "will be contested during the two Sunday qualifying sessions at Indy" per NHRA.com.

So all I can do right now is show "provisional" results until NHRA closes out Funny Car and Pro Stock racing from the Lucas Oil Nationals.

Provisional congratulations to 'Hemiroid' (FABO), 'socaldart' (FABO) and 'ocdart' (FABO) for currently being the top point getters for the Lucas Oil Nationals with existing point totals of 106.5 each. They each picked the Top Fuel runner-up, Doug Kalitta, John Force in Funny Car and Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Pro Stock. Both John Force and Jeg Coughlin Jr. are still in contention for their respective classes. Jacob Delling is currently the event runner up with 98.5 points and one driver still in contention, but 'Duster79' (FABO) is only 8 points behind with two drivers still in contention.
'Budnicks' is the current FBBO high-point picker with 84.0 points and one driver still in contention.
Great picking all!

Here's where the bonus points currently are if you picked the right drivers. Remember, Funny Car and Pro Stock could change if the times/speeds in those classes are bettered during the completion of those classes at Indy.

Note: Event Elapsed Time and Speed bonus points for Funny Car and Pro Stock are not yet included in any of the event scoring since neither of these classes are yet complete.


Top Fuel
E.T. - Doug Kalitta, 3.722 during Round 2 of eliminations
Speed - Richie Crampton, 328.54 while losing during Round 1 of eliminations

Funny Car
E.T. - Alexis DeJoria, 3.998 during Round 2 of eliminations
Speed - John Force, 320.89 during Round 2 of eliminations

Pro Stock
E.T. - Jason Line, 6.573 during Round 1 of eliminations
Speed - Jason Line, 209.69 during Round 1 of eliminations


Here are the provisional game point standings pending completion of the 17th event of the 2014 season. If you're shown in bold then you still have drivers in contention in Funny Car and/or Pro Stock, or you could still pick up E.T. or speed bonus points, and your point total may change following completion of Funny Car and Pro Stock racing for this event at the U.S. Nationals:

1675.5 - socaldart (FABO) no position change in the standings
1653.0 - ocdart (FABO) no change
1592.5 - memike (FABO) no change
1564.0 - Gpuller (FBBO) no change
1516.5 - bvt69dart (FABO) no change
1514.0 - Budnicks (FBBO) +1
1502.5 - bad440 (FABO) +1
1490.0 - aslant (FBBO) -2
1487.5 - Hemiroid (FABO) +3
1483.5 - 6pk2goDemon (FABO) -1
1473.0 - 67cudafb (FABO) -1
1455.0 - Duster79 (FABO) +4
1453.5 - StarGazer (FABO) no change
1446.5 - Back in Time (FABO) no change
1440.5 - bobtile (FBBO) no change
1437.5 - 71dartswinger (FABO) -5
1398.5 - johnnycuda (FABO) +1
1370.5 - super-bee_ski (FBBO) +1
1364.6 - YoungGun74 (FABO) -2
1356.5 - tqfastfish (FABO) +1
1345.0 - IEduster (FABO) -1
1343.0 - Jacob Delling no change
1306.5 - moparn1jr (FABO) no change
1265.0 - 64BEL (FBBO) no change
1261.0 - OldmanRick (FABO) no change
1248.5 - DustedOff (FABO) no change
1184.5 - moparn1 (FABO) no change

'dilweed' (FABO) has not posted any new picks for three events so, per game rules, has "lost his sponsorship" and is parked for the remainder of the 2014 NHRA season. I have sent numerous PM reminders without response. 'dilweed' was the 2012 NHRA "Pick 'Em" game champion and I hope he returns for the 2015 season.


The final event of the "regular season", the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is the next event, August 27-September 1, at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, IN. Game points will be readjusted following completion of the U.S. Nationals and our point race will be much tighter. So hang in there. This is going to get crazy!
Their are five (5) qualifying sessions at the U.S. Nationals. As always, your picks need to be posted before Pro Qualifying starts on Friday, August 29, in order to qualify for all event bonus points. Pro qualifying is scheduled to start at 6:00PM EDT (3:00 PM PDT).
The U.S. Nationals entry list is posted on NHRA.com and currently shows 22 Top Fuel, 16 Funny Car, 25 Pro Stock and 20 Pro Stock Motorcycle entries, but the counts are subject to change. Keep checking http://www.nhra.com/events/entrylist18.aspx for an updated entry list.
Pro Stock Motorcycle will race at all remaining events of the 2014 NHRA season.

Get your picks posted and GOOD LUCK!

 

[alsant]

Good job Bud!!!

 

[Gpuller]

Good job Bud! Thanks to ocdart for keep all the madness straight!

 

[ocdart]

Here's your biggest Tuesday-before-the-event reminder of the year!
Why the biggest? Because it's not only for the 18th race of the 24-race 2014 season, the biggest race of the year, the 60th annual U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN. It's also for the conclusion of Funny Car and Pro Stock eliminations from the Lucas Oil Nationals two weekends ago in Brainerd, MN. We will finally see to correct "Pick 'Em" game points and standings following the completion of the weather-delayed eliminations.

The ESPN coverage of the U.S. Nationals from Indy is going to be intense:
Friday, Aug. 29 (ESPN3) - Q1 at 6:00PM EDT (3:00PM PDT)
Sunday, Aug. 31 (ESPN2) - Pro Qualifying coverage at 11:00AM-3:00PM EDT (8:00AM-Noon PDT)
Sunday, Aug, 31 (ESPN2) - Final Pro Qualifying coverage at 5:00-7:00PM EDT (2:00-4:00PM PDT)
Monday, Sept. 1 (ESPN2) - 6 hours of Eliminations at Noon-6:00PM EDT (9:00AM-3:00PM PDT)

As always, your picks need to be posted before Pro Qualifying starts on Friday, August 29 in order to qualify for all event bonus points. Pro qualifying is scheduled to start at 6:00PM EDT (3:00PM PDT) and will be covered live on ESPN3. Go to http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_...Date/20140829/ to access the ESPN3 coverage on your computer.
The current weather forecast is for high temps in the 80s through the weekend with a 40% chance of thundershowers throughout the entire event schedule. Right now the forecast shows 0% chance of rain on Tuesday in case eliminations don't get completed on schedule. Most all of the Pro teams are based in the Indianapolis area so travel shouldn't be a concern in case of a weather delay. There is also a weekend off following the U.S. Nationals before the next event in Charlotte. Let's hope we get this event in without any weather delays.
The U.S. Nationals entry list is posted on http://www.nhra.com/events/entrylist18.aspx and currently shows 23 Top Fuel, 17 Funny Car, 21 Pro Stock and 22 Pro Stock Motorcycle entries, but the counts are still subject to change.
Keep checking http://www.nhra.com/events/entrylist18.aspx for an updated entry list.
Get your picks posted EARLY, especially if you are going to be out of town and away from a computer over the Labor Day holiday weekend, and GOOD LUCK!

 

[Gpuller]

TF D Kalitta
FC J Force
PS A Johnson
PSM E Krawiec

Good luck and have a splendid weekend!

 

[super-bee_ski]

INDY Picks...

Top Fuel: Morgan Lucas

Funny Car: Robert Height

Pro Stock: Allan Johnson

Pro Stock motorcycle: Eddie Kraweic

 

[Budnicks]

US Nats picks
T/F Antron Brown
F/C John Force
P/S Allen Johnson
P/SM Andrew Hines

Good luck to everyone

 

[64BEL]

My Indy picks:

TF Antron Brown
FC Tommy Johnson Jr.
PS Jeg Coughlin
PSM Andrew Hines

Good luck everyone and have a great weekend!

 

[alsant]

Ok here we go!

TF-Antron Brown
FC-Fast Jack Beckman
PS-Jason Line
PSM-Eddie Kreiwic


Good luck Brothers!

 

[ocdart]

SPOILER ALERT!

I will be updating the Pro Qualifying all the way through Q4 as information is posted on NHRA.com. I will not update through Q5 until after the TV coverage is complete on Sunday.
I suggest you not read this post if you do not want to know any updated Pro Qualifying info before seeing it on the ESPN2 coverage.






60th Annual NHRA U.S. Nationals qualifying leaders:

At the start of Q1: air temperature 88 degrees, relative humidity 59 percent, barometer 29.02 inches, adjusted altitude 3,951 feet, track temperature 103 degrees.

Q1
TF: Tony Schumacher, 3.777 @ 322.65
FC: Del Worsham, 4.044; Matt Hagan @ 318.47
PS: Jason Line, 6.623 @ 208.78
PSM: Eddie Krawiec, 6.930; John Hall @ 193.74


At the start of Q2: air temperature 81 degrees, relative humidity 66 percent, barometer 29.06 inches, adjusted altitude 3,391 feet, track temperature 95 degrees.

Q2
TF: Steve Torrence, 3.771; Bob Vandergriff @ 325.06
FC: Del Worsham, 4.016; Jack Beckman @ 319.07
PS: Jason Line, 6.593 @ 210.01
PSM: Jerry Savoie, 6.878; Eddie Krawiec @ 194.74


Q3
TF: Tony Schumacher, 3.748 @ 328.54
FC: Jack Beckman, 4.004; Ron Capps @ 320.36
PS: Jason Line, 6.589 @ 210.01
PSM: Jerry Savoie, 6.878; Eddie Krawiec @ 194.74


At the start of Q4: air temperature 78 degrees, relative humidity 76 percent, barometer 29.09 inches, adjusted altitude 3,165 feet, track temperature 81 degrees.

Q4
TF: Tony Schumacher, 3.748 @ 328.54
FC: Matt Hagan, 3.998; Courtney Force @ 322.73
PS: Jason Line, 6.589 @ 210.01
PSM: Eddie Krawiec 6.829 @ 194.74

 

[Budnicks]

thanks ocdart & good luck to everyone

 

[bobtile]

Good luck!
would it be unethical to" lock in "with socaldart? I'll take whoever he takes

 

[ocdart]

FINAL RESULTS FOR THE LUCAS OIL NATIONALS FROM BRAINERD, MN


Congratulations to 'Duster79' (FABO) for being the top point getter for the Lucas Oil Nationals with an outstanding point total of 130.5! He picked the class winners in both Funny Car and Pro Stock and his Top Fuel pick lost in the semi-finals. He also picked up ET and Speed bonus points in Pro Stock.
'Hemiroid' (FABO), 'socaldart' (FABO) and 'ocdart' (FABO) finished in the runner-up position, each finishing with 121.5 points.
'Budnicks' was the FBBO high-point picker with 89.0 points.
Great picking all!

Here's where the bonus points were if you picked the right drivers:
Top Fuel
E.T. - Doug Kalitta, 3.722 during Round 2 of eliminations
Speed - Richie Crampton, 328.54 while losing during Round 1 of eliminations

Funny Car
E.T. - Alexis DeJoria, 3.998 during Round 2 of eliminations
Speed - John Force, 320.89 during Round 2 of eliminations

Pro Stock
E.T. - Jason Line, 6.573 during Round 1 of eliminations
Speed - Jason Line, 209.98 during Round 3 of eliminations


Here are the game point standings following completion of the 17th event of the 2014 season:

1690.5 - socaldart (FABO)
1668.0 - ocdart (FABO)
1602.5 - memike (FABO)
1569.0 - Gpuller (FBBO)
1519.0 - Budnicks (FBBO)
1516.5 - bvt69dart (FABO)
1507.5 - bad440 (FABO)
1502.5 - Hemiroid (FABO)
1495.0 - Duster79 (FABO)
1490.0 - aslant (FBBO)
1488.5 - 6pk2goDemon (FABO)
1478.0 - 67cudafb (FABO)
1458.5 - StarGazer (FABO)
1451.5 - Back in Time (FABO)
1445.5 - bobtile (FBBO)
1437.5 - 71dartswinger (FABO)
1433.5 - johnnycuda (FABO)
1370.5 - super-bee_ski (FBBO)
1366.5 - tqfastfish (FABO)
1364.5 - YoungGun74 (FABO)
1355.0 - IEduster (FABO) -1
1348.0 - Jacob Delling
1306.5 - moparn1jr (FABO)
1295.0 - 64BEL (FBBO)
1266.0 - OldmanRick (FABO)
1253.5 - DustedOff (FABO)
1184.5 - moparn1 (FABO)

Remember, the points all reset after completion of the U.S. Nationals tomorrow.

 

[ocdart]

Congrats to Duster79 (FABO) for winning the Top Qualifier title at the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway with a total of 26.0 bonus points! He picked the #1 qualifiers in Top Fuel and Pro Stock, the #5 qualifier in Funny Car, and the #9 qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Way to go!
super-bee_ski (FBBO) is the #2 qualifier with a total of 24.5 bonus points. He picked the #1 qualifier in Pro Stock Motorcycle, the #3 qualifier in Top Fuel, the #6 qualifier in Pro Stock, and the #9 qualifier in Funny Car. Way to go all!

This week players picked:
* 6 different Top Fuel drivers. One Round 1 head-to-head matchup between #1 qualifier Tony Schumacher (2 picks) and #16 Antron Brown (10 picks). There is also a possibility of 1 head-to-head matchup in Round 2 of eliminations.
* 8 different Funny Car drivers with two Round 1 head-to-head matchups. One between #7 qualifier Alexis DeJoria (2 picks) and #10 qualifier Cruz Pedregon (2 picks), and the other between #8 qualifier John Force (10 picks) and #9 qualifier Robert Hight (4 picks). There is also a potential of 2 head-to-head matchups in Round 2 of eliminations.
* 5 different Pro Stock drivers but no Round 1 head-to-head matchups. Their is a possibility of 1 head-to-head matchup in Round 2 of eliminations.
* 4 different Pro Stock Motorcycle riders but, again, no Round 1 head-to-head matchups. Their is a possibility of 1 head-to-head matchup in Round 2 of eliminations.

 

[ocdart]

Some strange things happened with our NHRA game picks at the U.S. Nationals this year - a lot of them went out in the opening round of eliminations!

Top Fuel
Antron Brown - 10 picks
Doug Kalitta - 10 picks
Brittany Force - 1 pick
Morgan Lucas - 1 pick

Funny Car
Robert Hight - 4 picks
Cruz Pedregon - 2 picks
Jack Beckman - 1 pick

Pro Stock
Jeg Coughlin Jr. - 3 picks
Greg Anderson - 2 picks


Congratulations to 'socaldart' (FABO) for being the top point getter for the 60th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals with a great point total of 124.0! He picked the class winners in both Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle. His Pro Stock pick lost in the second round of eliminations and his Top Fuel pick lost in the first round of eliminations. He also picked up ET and Speed bonus points in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
'Duster79' (FABO) finished in the runner-up position, each finishing with 116.0 points.
'Gpuller' was the FBBO high-point picker with 112.0 points.
Great picking all!

Here's where the bonus points were if you picked the right drivers:
Top Fuel
E.T. - Tony Schumacher, 3.748 during qualifying
Speed - Tony Schumacher, 328.54 during qualifying

Funny Car
E.T. - Matt Hagan, 3.998 during qualifying
Speed - Courtney Force, 322.73 during qualifying

Pro Stock
E.T. - Jason Line, 6.589 during qualifying
Speed - Jason Line, 210.01 during qualifying

Pro Stock Motorcycle
E.T. - Eddie Krawiec, 6.829 during qualifying
Speed - Eddie Krawiec, 196.56 during qualifying


Here are the game point standings following completion of the 18th event of the 2014 season:

1814.5 - socaldart (FABO) no change in position
1768.5 - ocdart (FABO) no change
1681.0 - Gpuller (FBBO) +1
1671.0 - memike (FABO) -1
1611.0 - Duster79 (FABO) +4
1600.5 - 6pk2goDemon (FABO) +5
1600.0 - bvt69dart (FABO) -1
1594.0 - aslant (FBBO) +2
1589.5 - bad440 (FABO) -2
1583.5 - Budnicks (FBBO) -5
1580.0 - 67cudafb (FABO) +1
1572.0 - Hemiroid (FABO) -4
1554.5 - bobtile (FBBO) +2
1543.5 - 71dartswinger (FABO) +2
1538.5 - StarGazer (FABO) -2
1535.0 - johnnycuda (FABO) +1
1508.5 - Back in Time (FABO) -3
1455.0 - super-bee_ski (FBBO) no change
1435.5 - tqfastfish (FABO) no change
1429.0 - Jacob Delling +2
1423.5 - IEduster (FABO) no change
1421.5 - YoungGun74 (FABO) -2
1370.0 - OldmanRick (FABO) +2
1348.5 - DustedOff (FABO) +2
1326.5 - 64BEL (FBBO) -1


Unfortunately, we lost two players this week as neither moparn1 (FABO) nor moparn1jr (FABO) posted any picks for the third week in a row despite several PM reminders. By game rules they have "lost their sponsorship" and are parked for the remainder of the 2014 season. I hope they both return for the 2015 NHRA season.

Remember, the points reset after completion of the U.S. Nationals. I will post the reset points in a separate post.

 

[ocdart]

OK, here's the information on how the points were reset:
The plan is based on NHRA's model but is even more competitive. NHRA gives the points leader a 30-point lead over 2nd-place, then 10 points separate each succeeding place (third, fourth, fifth, etc.). So, in our little game here, 1st and 21st would be separated by 260 points if I used the NHRA model without change.
So, just like the last three years, here's what I did after the U.S. Nationals as a starting point for the remaining six races for the 2014 FABO Championship and bragging rights: 1st place points was re-set at 2000 points. 2nd place was reset at 1970 points. Each succeeding place is separated by a maximum of 10 points unless the existing point totals difference following the U.S. Nationals is less than 10 points; existing point differences were used where the difference was less than 10 points. So if you're in 3rd place or lower in the standings and 40 points behind the person in front of you before the points were reset, you're now only 10 points behind after the points were reset; but if you were only 2 points behind the person in front of you before the points were reset, you're still only 2 points behind them after the points reset.

This tightened the points up even more from 1st to 25th and will make the last six races even more competitive.
Also, this isn't just for bragging rights. There will be a little something for the overall winner at the end of the season. I will pick up something during the season for the winner and several of our players have picked up some things in the past when attending various NHRA National events through the season. I'll post a pic of what I have for the winner at the completion of the season.

As before, this is going to be fun!

Before you look at the reset points, please read the following IMPORTANT INFORMATION because it won't be reposted. You will miss out if you don't read it.
* It is your responsibility from here on out to post your picks on time without a reminder. I'm not going to post reminders or send PM's.
* The "pick carry over" that was initiated last year for the "regular season" is no longer in effect for the "Countdown". If you don't post picks before the start of Pro Qualifying at each event then you will miss out on all event bonus points. If you don't post picks before the start of eliminations, you will miss out on all points for that event.
* The only way to guarantee your picks are posted is to make sure you post them prior to the deadline, or "lock" your picks in for the remainder of the season. As before, you can always change your "locked-in" picks by posting new ones on the game thread.

OK, finally, here are the reset points:

2000.0 - socaldart (FABO)
1970.0 - ocdart (FABO)
1960.0 - Gpuller (FBBO)
1950.0 - memike (FABO)
1940.0 - Duster79 (FABO)
1930.0 - 6pk2goDemon (FABO)
1929.5 - bvt69dart (FABO)
1923.5 - alsant (FBBO)
1919.0 - bad440 (FABO)
1913.0 - Budnicks (FBBO)
1909.5 - 67cudafb (FABO)
1901.5 - Hemiroid (FABO)
1891.5 - bobtile (FBBO)
1881.5 - 71dartswinger (FABO)
1876.5 - StarGazer (FABO)
1873.0 - johnnycuda (FABO)
1863.0 - Back in Time (FABO)
1853.0 - super-bee_ski (FBBO)
1843.0 - tqfastfish (FABO)
1836.5 - Jacob Delling
1831.0 - IEduster (FABO)
1829.0 - YoungGun74 (FABO)
1819.0 - OldmanRick (FABO)
1809.0 - DustedOff (FABO)
1799.0 - 64BEL (FBBO)

The next event, and first event of the "Countdown", is the 7th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, September 10-14, at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, NC.
As always, your picks need to be posted before Pro Qualifying starts on Friday, September 12, in order to qualify for all event bonus points. Pro qualifying is scheduled to start at 3:15PM EDT (12:15 PM PDT).
The Carolina Nationals entry list is posted on NHRA.com and currently shows 18 Top Fuel, 15 Funny Car, 20 Pro Stock and 15 Pro Stock Motorcycle entries, but the counts are subject to change. Keep checking http://www.nhra.com/events/entrylist19.aspx for an updated entry list.
Pro Stock Motorcycle will race at all remaining events of the 2014 NHRA season.

Get your picks posted and GOOD LUCK!

Make your picks wisely for the final six NHRA events of the year.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[alsant]

Way to go all!!

 

[Gpuller]

Way to go all!!

2X!

 

[Budnicks]

Congrats to Gpuller up +1
Congrats to aslant up +2 spots

With a one lane racetrack for allot of the weekend
& allot of tire smoke or shake in all Pro Classes, allot of water grains in the air...

I do like the live TV format, all the time this weekend,
when it wasn't all messed up or totally black,
really poor ESPN2 satellite feed, but I really liked seeing allot of the ol'racers,
BUT we could only hear like every-other word sometimes in their interviews,
here on Comcast/Xfinity cable anyway...

my picks went backwards, I'm down -5 spots
P/S AJ 1 round win,
P/SM A. Hines 1 round win,
T/F A. Brown out 1st round,
F/C John Force was my only saving grace,
he Won the Traxxas shootout & runner-ed up the actual race
IT SUCKED, poor showing for some good racers...LOL

 

[Gpuller]

Bud your only 87 points out of the lead. One good weekend and you can be king!