Tuesday
Toyota NASCAR Sunday’s Big Game Predictions
Press ReleaseWho will win this Sunday’s (Feb. 5) Big Game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants in Indianapolis? We asked Toyota NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs for their predictions, and here’s what they had to say:
KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “The Patriots — you can’t go against them. They’re good. I think we had the same conversation probably in 2007 when they were playing each other and I probably picked the Patriots then, too — and got surprised that the Giants came through. (Tom) Brady had an off day (in the AFC Championship game, Feb. 22) and still looked pretty good and won the game. That’s a team that’s hard to beat. They do a lot of things right.”
DAVE ROGERS, crew chief, No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “New England Patriots. The obvious answer is because I’m from New England (Marshfield, Vt.), but the truth is Tom Brady. To see what that man has accomplished in his life — he’s such a fierce competitor. Just look at his eyes — he’s so determined and I admire him for that. That’s one guy that I would like to meet one day. Tom Brady — if you listen to his interviews, he was determined that when he got in the game for the first time that they would never pull him. That’s preparation. He was prepared and he was willing to do whatever it took to prepare himself. I just respect that and respect that determination. I think that on that side of things, it makes Tom Brady a good role model for athletes and crew chiefs and drivers.”
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “If I had to guess — the New York Giants — defense, offense, everything. You have to go with the team that has the momentum and no doubt that the Giants have the momentum right now. Think the score will be 23-21 — Giants. I think I’m going to go to Las Vegas for the game. I’ve been to the game the last couple of years in person, but I kind of want to see what the Las Vegas atmosphere is like. I’ve been there once or twice at the Bellagio, and it’s just as exciting as going to the game.”
DARIAN GRUBB, crew chief, No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “I’m a huge football fan — college football. NFL — I was a Cowboys fan forever, which is tough now working for Joe Gibbs. I really don’t have a favorite team. I really don’t want New England to win it — more so I can pick on some of the guys on my race team. The Giants have a really good shot at it this year. I guess I will pull for the NFC rather than anything else. Joey (Logano) is definitely a Patriots fan and there are a few other guys mixed in there, too.”
JOEY LOGANO, No. 20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “New England because they’re awesome. New England is my hometown team being from Connecticut (Middletown). I was fortunate enough to go up there and tour the stadium last September and got to see the whole stadium, go in the back and see the locker rooms. Got to meet some of the players — the kicker (Stephen Gostkowski) tried to teach me how to kick a field goal. I will not be in the game this year, if you’re wondering. It was really neat and I’m really hoping they go out there and win. I think they will because they have Tom Brady.”
JASON RATCLIFF, crew chief, No. 20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “My prediction is that Tom Brady cannot be beat if you can’t get to him, but I would really like to see the Giants win. I like the Manning brothers — I like the Manning family. I don’t think they can beat him — it’s going to be tough. I really wanted to see the Harbaugh brothers go at it — I’m a Bears fan. That would have been neat, but maybe next year. I love football. When I was a kid, like any other 12-year-old boy, you thought you were going to play pro football — until I realized that I wasn’t even close enough to being big enough to play pro football. They would just crush me — even in college for that matter. I’ll watch the game somewhere, but I won’t be as into it because I’m not really a Patriots fan or a Giants fan. You have to watch it for the commercials — the commercials are great. I’ll probably be sitting on my couch because I don’t have the opportunity to do that enough — sitting with my two boys and my wife. I’m sure we’ll invite some friends over and have a good time.”
BRIAN SCOTT, No. 11 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing “I’m a Patriots fan so I think the Patriots are going to win. I was highly disappointed three years ago when the Giants beat them. I actually got in a fight with my brother over the whole game. Hopefully, we’ll have a better outcome this time. Probably watch it either at my house or a friend’s house — probably won’t go out anywhere or do anything like that. Sit on the couch and eat snacks. If I had to put a final score on the game — I’m going to say it’s going to be 20-17 — Patriots. The best part about being from Idaho is that I’m not married to any team — I can like whoever I want.”
MICHAEL WALTRIP, team owner – driver, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing “The Patriots. I just like Tom Brady. I like Bill Belichick (Patriots coach) — I don’t know why. We had this same game in ’07 and the Giants won. I’m for Tom over Eli (Manning). But, if you ask me much more about that — like who else plays – that’s about all I know.”
RODNEY CHILDERS, crew chief, No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing “Number one — I am a football guy. I didn’t used to be a football guy. Once I became a Cup crew chief, I needed something to take my mind off of all this other stuff, so when football is going around in the off-season I learned to really like it. It’s hard for me to say because I’m not a hardcore, one team guy. Every year I kind of pick and choose and see people that have been really good team players and I feel like deserve a shot at it. It’s hard to argue that the Patriots don’t deserve a shot at it. I felt like the Giants have played pretty good, but I think there’s some things they could have done better. All in all, both those guys deserve to be in it. I really haven’t picked who I’m going to be pulling for yet. If I was a betting man I would put my money on the Patriots and Tom Brady. That is who I would put my money on.”
CLINT BOWYER, No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing “New York — just because I don’t know anything about football. I’m going to take 10 dollars off of (Martin) Truex (Jr.).”
BRIAN PATTIE, crew chief, No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing “Patriots because I like Tom Brady. He doesn’t trash talk –he just gets it done.”
MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing “Patriots — because they are a better team. I don’t like the Giants. I hate the Giants, but I like Eli (Manning). I think Eli is an awesome quarterback. How can you not like Tom Brady? The stadium has a roof, so there will be good weather at the game, it’s going to be warm, a high scoring game — 38-24 Patriots. I will probably watch the game from home — I like to be home.”
CHAD JOHNSTON, crew chief, No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing “Hopefully the Giants because I’m a Colts fan and we were terrible this year. All of our hopes are with Eli Manning — hoping at least one Manning gets it done and not Tom Brady.”
BOBBY LABONTE, No. 47 Kroger Toyota Camry, JTG-Daugherty Racing “I think the Patriots are going to do it — they are just primed right now. I would like to see Eli (Manning) win it, but I think it’s going to be tough for him.”
Source: Toyota Motorsports, Press Release
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