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5. s. 7. B. Rider: Mike Hacker National #: 67 Age: 24 Residence: Prince George, Virginia Team: Saddlemen Racing/Lancaster Harley-Davidson/Dodge Brothers Tuner: Johnny. Goad Career best result: Fifth place (2000) 2000 best finish: First place (Charlotte Half Mile) 2000 result: Fifth place 'm thinking that this kid still has a lot of places to go in this sport. In fact, I think that he'll be a future Grand National Champion. I wouldn't have said that two years ago when he was still a little hellion. But the steady tutelage of Johnny Goad has worked wonders for Hacker, instilling both discipline and confidence. He has always had the talent. Some mechanical and mental miscues failed to stop him from earning his first career Grand National victory and a solid fifth in the series points standings. If the duo can eliminate the first two, I'm positive they'll experience a lot more wins. In fact, just to be safe, I think that I'd better pick him as my darkhorse candidate for the 2001 title. There, I feel much better already. Rider: Kenny Cool beth National #: 31 Age: 23 Residence: Warren, Connecticut Team: Corbin Racing/Harley-Davidson of Missouri Tuner: Dave Burks/Dennis Town Career best resUlt: Sixth place (2000) 2000 best finish: Second place (Hutchinson Half Mile) 2000 result: Sixth place nother youngster with loads of ability who finally proved that he could keep his head down and be a reckonable force in the title chase. Still, I'm thinking that picking Coolbeth this far up in the order could be a mistake - and through no fault of his own. Uke I said before, I could be wrong, but if anyone is going to be distracted by the dizzying activity over in the Burks Motorsports camp, then I'm afraid that it'll be Coolbeth. Still, he did improve on his starts, and he also put together consistent top10 rides. If the same Cool beth who showed up to the track last season is ready to do battle this season, then the boys ahead of him on this list had better duck and cover. Rider: Brian Bigelow National #: II Age: 19 Residence: Au Gres, Michigan Team: Gardner Racing Tuner: Greg Crow Career best result: Sixth place 2000 best finish: Third place (Joliet Half Mile, Sedalia Half Mile) 2000 result: Seventh place ean still recall the conversation at Daytona clear as a bell: "What? You picked me to finish fifth? Well, that's cool. I made you look stupid last year, and I'm going to make you look even more stupid this year!" Ooookayyyy Brian, way to make me look smart. Seriously, I'U be watching this guy closely because there's a lot to watch for. Upon his reinstatement after a suspension for rQugh-riding at the Springfield Mile, Bigelow claims to be a reformed soul now - no more boneheaded stunts for him. And he'll be taking a spot on the Gardner Racing team, the very same spot that was occupied by Dan Stanley, the guy that Bigelow was suspended for knocking down at Springfield in the first place. How do you define irony? I still believe that Greg Crow is a good wrench, but this team has been in the unfortunate position of being the Bad News Bears of dirt track for the past few seasons. It has to turn around sooner or later, doesn't it? Rider: Nicky Hayden National #: 69 Age: 19 Residence: Owensboro, Kentucky Team: Corbin Electric/Samson Exhaust Tuner: Carl Patrick Career best result: Ninth place (1999) 2000 best finish: First place (Springfield Short Track) 2000 result: 10th place f Nicky Hayden wasn't off chasing something as silly as the AMA Superbike Championship, he could probably tum his full attention to the "real man" sport of dirt track racing and be its Grand National Champion. Really, the things a guy'II do to make a buck. Oh well. at least this new Dave Burks-conceived team should be a sweet deal for him. He'll be under the least pressure to perform well, and that should meet with positive results. He is capable of pulling off the grand slam. All he needs now are the mile and the TT, and he'lI have a shot at both. Regardless of where he finishes, we could be treated to history in the making at the hands of young Hayden this year. May the force be with you, Nicky. I A 9. Rider: Jay Springsteen National #: 9 Age: 43 Residence: Lapeer, Michigan Team: Bartels Harley-Davidson/ Corbin Tuner: Joe Bisha Career best result: Grand National Champion (1976, 1977, 1978) 2000 best finish: First place (Springfield Mile) 2000 result: Ninth place rom the young jedi we come straight to the Obi-wan Kenobi of dirt track racing. Springer still has plenty of light left in his sabre, and he showed it at the Springfield Mile. He's out there still havin' fun and giving the fans a smile. What more can we ask of him? Anyway, he'U probably finish higher than ninth. I'd just love to see him go through a whole season without getting sick, and I'd like to see him win another mile this year. Anything else would be gravy. Either way, if you're a Springer fan, you owe it to yourself to come and watch him as many times as you can, because some day he's going to be aU done, and this series will truly be the worse for it. When? We don't know, and he ain't sayin'. F end was the least likely guy that I or I'll bet anyone else - would have selected to become the AMA Grand National Champion. But without question, Joe Kopp earned it, scoring just one win but consistently placing on the box practically every weekend. His was a real "old school" type of championship drive, the Mica, Washington, native slugging it out in the trenches week in and week out. Wheo it was all over, Kopp was a triple crown winner of sorts, claiming the big prize to go along with his SuperTrapp/SuperTracker title and his National Hot Shoe title. Amazing. So, without further adieu, here are the predictions that will either make me look incredibly smart or incredibly dumb at the end of the 2001 season. I will say this, though, I am extremely confident in the man that I have picked to take the number-one plate this year. Quite simply, for Will Davis, it is time. l I 10. Rider: Johnny Murphree National #: 20 Age: 22 Residence: Paso Robles, Califomia Team: Coziahr Harley-Davidson/ Memphis Shades Tuner: Babe Demay Career best result: 11th place (2000) 2000 best fmish: Second place (Charlotte Half Mile) 2000 result: 11 th place f there was an award to be given out for the most improved rider of the series, then this 1997 Grand National Rookie of the Year is most deserving of it. His career series finishes read 30th, 25th, 29th, 11 th.. He was awesome at Springfield this year because he was fast and smooth, the former something that he has always been and the latter something that he has always lacked. Something tells me that I can be less concerned about Murphree having that one big crash inside of him somewhere, but anything is possible. I'm looking for a more mature Murphree to finish in the top 10 a bunch, and lock down his first career top-10 series finish. A win will probably vault him higher in the standings, but hey, one thing at a time. I ABOUT THOSE WILD CARDS ... are several great riders who rotate just in and out of the top 10 every year, and there are several other great riders who always seem to be mired in the second half of the top 20. So, my challenge to them is: Step up and prove yourself. Pick someone in the top 10 and become determined to be their shadow all season. The racing can only be all the better for it. 1:1II See you next year. If they're not on the list, then who really cares anyway? Truth is, I've grown a little tired of having some guys accost me in the pits and give me an earful over not picking them as a wild card, which tells me that their focus is probably not where it should be. Suffice it to say that there cue. e n e _ S • FEBRUARY 28. 2001 17