51's Pre-Season Short Track Power Ratings

Who's Going to Win a Title on 10 Short Track Tours? Our "Experts" Weigh In

Speed51.com, Mike Twist - (Click Here for Original Article)

NASCAR Camping World East Series (03/10/08) - It seems that the NASCAR Busch East....oops....we meant the NASCAR Camping World Series, East Divison...or Camping World East or whatever they are calling it these days, is all about change. Last year's prodigy Joey Logano is moving on after his championship to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Two-time champion Mike Olsen has retired from full-time driving duties. Last year's runner-up in the standings, Sean Caisse, is currently rideless and we're not 100% sure that veteran Bryon Chew will be back full-time either.

So our pickers decided that after six seasons within the top 10 of the standings, it might now be Matt Kobyluck's turn to make the championship speech. He only gathered a few first place votes actually, but was second on a ton of ballots and mentioned by everyone who took part in this exercise.

Peyton Sellers had double the number of first place votes as Kobyluck, but we're not sure that everyone read the news from this week of Sellers signing with the powerhouse Andy Santerre Motorsports team.

Sean Caisse also gathered one first place vote, but the clock is ticking on the New Hampshire driver when it comes to finding a full-season ride.

Trevor Bayne was listed as high as second on some ballots too, but followers of Camping World east just might not know much about the former Pro Cup driver....yet.

Power Rankings:

1. Matt Kobyluck - 2.14 Rating
2. Peyton Sellers - 3.14 Rating
3. Jeffrey Earnhardt - 4.43 Rating
4. Sean Caisse - 4.86 Rating
5. Eddie MacDonald - 5.00 Rating
6. Trevor Bayne - 5.43 Rating
7. Jody Lavender - 5.50 Rating
8. Bryon Chew - 5.57 Rating
Craig Goess - 5.57 Rating
10. Rogelio Lopez - 5.68 Rating

Selected Comments From The Voters:

"Is it Matt Kobyluck's turn for a championship? He's come close before, but this could be his best chance yet."

"Is there anyone left this year other than Matt Kobyluck? I had a really hard time with this series because who knows
who’s driving what (and when) in the series I’ll always refer to as “Busch North.”

"Now that the golden boy Joey Logano has moved on the tour is wide open. Look for Peyton Sellers to make his run for the title."

"I would have picked Peyton Sellers to win the championship this year with his own team. Signing with Andy Santerre Motorsports just cements my opinion even more."

"If Trevor Bayne can do in Camping World East what he did in Pro Cup, he'll be a threat for sure."

"Eddie MacDonald can get the job done and it appears that he might actually have a budget to work with this year. He won last year without one, so watch out now."

"I will keep an eye on Eddie Mac and Steve Park."

"Pro Cup followers know that Jody Lavender could be the surprise of the year in Camping World East."

"Jody Lavender can be tough in the 88 car if they run the whole season."
 

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