Who’s going to win the Syracuse 200?

Who’s going to win the Syracuse 200? That’s the million dollar question isn’t it? When it comes down to Syracuse, everybody has a shot and that’s what makes it entertaining; if lady luck is on your side come Sunday, you could very well end up in Victory Lane. All of that being said, we can’t deny having some favorites, as Jack Burgess would say: “You’ve got to have a favorite out there!” So here’s my list of the Top-20 guys to keep an eye on, in the Big Block division of this 43rd edition of Super DIRT Week. Brett Hearn #20 – Sussex, NJ STARTS: 36 -- WINS: 6 -- TOP-5: 10 -- TOP-10: 12 When it comes to “The Jet”, it goes without saying that he’s a man to keep an eye on. The 6-time winner of the Syracuse 200 has done it all on the Mile and he’s hungry for more. Coming in as the Series points leader, Hearn will, on the other hand, have to be careful with his strategy come Sunday. Matt Sheppard #9H – Waterloo, NY STARTS: 13 -- WINS: 1 -- TOP-5: 3 -- TOP-10: 5 “Super Matt” is coming back to Syracuse with a whole new package; a new team and a new car. Sheppard is hoping to return to former glory on the Mile, while the HBR Racing Team is hoping to set foot in Victory Lane, for the first time. Wouldn’t it be quite the story if Sheppard could actually get it done? Super Dirt Week has always had his dose of drama over the years, and this very well could be the icing on the cake. Billy Decker #91 – Unadilla, NY STARTS: 27 -- WINS: 4 -- TOP-5: 8 -- TOP-10: 12 “The Franklin Flyer” is another one of those drivers that have won everything there is to win on the Mile. The 4-time winner is always fast and if he’s around at the end of 200 laps, you can bet he’s going to be in the hunt to win the big dance. Jimmy Phelps #98H – Baldwinsville, NY STARTS: 11 -- WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 2 -- TOP-10: 5 Phelps has come close so many times, but he has yet to get his hands on the trophy. Syracuse has always been at the top of his bucket list and with Sheppard as a teammate in 2014, it could be the perfect combination that allows him to put the 98H in Victory Lane. Stewart Friesen #44 – Niagara on the Lake, ON STARTS: 7 -- WINS: 2 -- TOP-5: 3 -- TOP-10: 4 “Mr. Freeze”, 2-time winner of the Syracuse 200, is probably the guy everybody will keep an eye on, yet again. Friesen and his team seem to have figured out how to contend for victory, year in and year out. He came 2 laps short of doing it again last year, so you can bet he’s coming back with a vengeance. Billy Dunn #49 – Watertown, NY STARTS: 8 -- WINS: 1 -- TOP-5: 1 -- TOP-10: 3 Dunn took everybody by surprise when he won the race last year; actually the only person that wasn’t is Billy himself. He knew he could get the job done and he proved it fair and square. Now the question is: can he do it again? I certainly wouldn’t bet against him twice. Tim Fuller #74 – Edwards, NY STARTS: 18 -- WINS: 1 -- TOP-5: 6 -- TOP-10: 8 Fuller doesn’t spend as much time behind the wheel of a Modified as he used to, but Syracuse is one of those events he wouldn’t want to miss. Don’t fall asleep thinking Fuller is going to be rusty, the 2004 winner would love nothing more, but to prove you wrong. Tim McCreadie #39 – Watertown, NY STARTS: 14 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 1 -- TOP-10: 2 “T-Mac” would be the first to tell you, he wants to win the Syracuse 200. Bad luck has often prevented him from contending for victory, so his Syracuse record is not that great, but don’t be mistaken, McCreadie has what it takes to win on the Mile and for that, he just needs a little luck. David Hebert #1H – St. Damase, QC STARTS: 12 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 1 -- TOP-10: 3 Hebert is one of those that drivers that is often underestimated when it comes to winning at Syracuse. Let me put it to you this way; David Hebert can win any race he enters, that’s how good he is. He has had a tremendous season this year and he’s coming to Syracuse as confident as ever. Keep an eye on Hebert. Vic Coffey #32c – Leicester, NY STARTS: 18 – WINS: 2 -- TOP-5: 3 -- TOP-10: 4 “The Captain” sure knows how to win the Syracuse 200, he’s done it twice. Don’t think for a second that Coffey can’t do it again; he’s got that low key driving style that makes him a threat for a possible 3rd triumph, in 2014. Kenny Tremont #115 – West Sand Lake, NY STARTS: 32 – WINS: 1 -- TOP-5: 9 -- TOP-10: 14 The future Hall of Famer has got quite the record on the Mile. The 1999 winner loves coming to Syracuse and you know he’ll be ready once the green flag drops. “The West Sand Lake Slingshot” is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, so you just can’t help, but root for him. Ryan Godown #747 – Ringoes, NJ STARTS: 9 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 2 -- TOP-10: 3 Godown has become a pretty steady figure in the top-10 on the Mile, but it’s obvious he wants more. Ryan can accomplish anything he puts his head down to, so if everything works out according to plan, on Sunday, he’ll be in the hunt. Larry Wight #99L – Phoenix, NY STARTS: 6 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 1 -- TOP-10: 1 “Lightning Larry” came oh so close last year with a runner-up finish, so is 2014 going to be his year? Arguably one of the most spectacular guys to watch on the Mile, Larry has that whatever it takes attitude, which could either end bad or in Victory Lane. Jimmy Horton #5 – Neshanic Station, NJ STARTS: 38 – WINS: 2 -- TOP-5: 8 -- TOP-10: 11 Horton has more experience than anybody else on the Mile with 38 starts to his credit, including 2 wins. Jimmy has always had a love-hate relationship with Syracuse, but one thing is clear, he’s always fast and ready to go. Don’t ever count him out. Danny Johnson #27J – Rochester, NY STARTS: 31 – WINS: 2 -- TOP-5: 7 -- TOP-10: 13 “The Doctor” needs no introduction, everybody knows that. The 2-time winner can win any race, any time. Love him or hate him, excitement seems to follow him wherever he goes; we’re in for a threat with Danny. Ronnie Johnson #2RJ – Duanesburg, NY STARTS: 12 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 3 -- TOP-10: 4 RJ has had to live in his father’s shadow for a long time, but he’s made a name for himself at Syracuse. Running up front and being consistently fast will eventually pay off for Ronnie. Could this be his year? JR Heffner #74 – Pittsfield, MA STARTS: 9 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 1 -- TOP-10: 4 Heffner often seems to fly under the radar at Syracuse; he only has 1 top-5 to his credit on the Mile, but a stat sheet doesn’t always say it all. JR knows how to be fast, and this year should be no different. Duane Howard #66 – Oley, PA STARTS: 8 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 2 -- TOP-10: 2 Howard has teamed up with the Petruska Racing Team in 2014 and they’re coming to Syracuse on a mission. Duane has proved he can be fast on the Mile, so the expectations are high. Can Howard get his hands on this elusive title? Bobby Varin #816V – Sharon Springs, NY STARTS: 19 – WINS: 0 -- TOP-5: 2 -- TOP-10: 4 Varin has had a lot of ups and down at Syracuse, but I’ve learned to never underestimate him. Bobby has a tendency to strike when you least expect him too. Teaming up with Jeff Rockefeller for the Syracuse 200 could be what Varin needs, to add his name to the record books. Erick Rudolph #7z – Ransomville, NY BIG BLOCK ROOKIE Rudolph will be one of the rookies in this year’s Syracuse 200, although Erick does have some experience on the Mile having run in both the 358 and Sportsman division. Why is a rookie on my list of drivers to watch? Well if you know Erick, you know he’s fearless and a very quick learner. He won the 2008 edition of the Sportsman race at his first ever attempt on the Mile; that tells you all you need to know.