Prediction Row
The concept is simple - predict the winner of each NASCAR Cup race. The reality of doing this is quite challenging!
Prediction Row is coordinated by Silky Meegan, working with club members and staff at The Villages Daily Sun. She receives the predictions from each competitor prior to every race. These predictions are sent to the Daily Sun for publication in the Sports section on the day of each NASCAR Cup race. Following every race, Silky tallies the totals and notifies the competitors and the Daily Sun.
The rules have evolved over the years - the number of predictors has varied from as few as five to as many as 12 and the scoring methods have been tweaked. None the less, the competition has always been interesting.
We would be remiss if we didn't thank our friends in The Villages Daily Sun Sports Department for their support and cooperation over the years. We sincerely appreciate the recognition our club receives when our predictions are published on race days.
Since 2008, the Prediction Row competition has been won by the following champions:
2023
2023 Prediction Row Champion - Brian Dillon
Our competition continued to emphasize winning with points used as tie-breakers. Our Prediction Row prognosticators were up to the challenge.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment, races 1-13. They were Rick Almeida, Brian Dillon, Jeff Ing, John Mulloy, Craig Simundza and Bill Samuels. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment, races 14-26. They were Tim Burk, Donna Dillon, Chris Dirato, Rick Kegel, Bob Lupini and Linda Samuels.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Playoff Segment, races 27-36. The competitors in the Playoff Segment were Rick Almeida, Tim Burk, Brian Dillon, Donna Dillon, Chris Dirato and Craig Simundza.
At the end, Brian Dillon was crowned the champion. He prevailed over the competition which included his wife and defending champion, Donna Dillon.
The final standings were:
2 wins, 394 points Brian Dillon
2 wins, 363 points Donna Dillon
2 wins, 335 points Tim Burk
1 win, 380 points Craig Simundza
1 win, 368 points Chris Dirato
1 win, 301 points Rick Almeida
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2022
2022 Prediction Row Champion - Donna Dillon
NASCAR's next-generation race car seemed to even the performance of race teams. This parity made predicting a race winner even more challenging.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Doug Baker, Rich Benitz, Chris Dirato, Bob Lupini, Chris Six and Jim West. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Phil Brown, Donna Dillon, Rick Giroux, Val Menendez, Steve Poplarski and Alan Sneider.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Playoff Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Playoff Segment were Doug Baker, Phil Brown, Donna Dillon, Bob Lupini, Chris Six and Alan Sneider.
Donna Dillon claimed the championship when she picked the winner of the last race in the season. Donna's name was added to the traveling trophy and she will defend her championship in the 2023 season.
The final standings were:
2 wins, 349 points Donna Dillon
2 wins, 281 points Phil Brown
1 win, 265 points Chris Six
0 wins, 331 points Doug Baker
0 wins, 315 points Bob Lupini
0 wins, 208 points Alan Sneider
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2021
2021 Prediction Row Champion - Doug Baker
After a 2020 season filled with "COVID chaos," the racing returned to normal, but it was a "new normal." New tracks were added - several road courses were added and Bristol was converted to dirt for one event.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Doug Baker, Larry Hanna, Shel Larsen, Melanie Scott, Art Staus and Jim West. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Jim Dropp, Gerry Greim, Donna Gross, Gerry Hafer, Steve Poplarski and Alan Sneider.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Playoff Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Playoff Segment were Doug Baker, Jim Dropp, Steve Poplarski, Melanie Scott, Alan Sneider and Art Staus.
Doug Baker garnered bragging rights for the season by coming from behind and predicting the winner in three of the last four races. The traveling trophy is his to admire while he defends his title for a year.
The final standings were:
3 wins, 449 points Doug Baker
2 wins, 358 points Melanie Scott
1 win, 412 points Jim Dropp
1 win, 370 points Steve Poplarski
1 win, 368 points Art Staus
0 wins, 390 points Alan Sneider
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2020
2020 Prediction Row Champion - Gerry Hafer
Our 2020 predictors could not have imagined the complexity of the COVID-19 race season. Many races and venues were postponed, cancelled or rescheduled. In addition, there was more than a two-month break in the season with no races while NASCAR tried to figure it out. During some weeks there were two points races; some weekends saw doubleheaders.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were John Goodyear, Donna Gross, Gerry Hafer, Paul O'Connor, Steve Poplarski and Bob Woodsford. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Larry Hanna, Jackie Putman, Art Staus, Carol Wagner, Jim West and Woody White.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Chase Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Chase Segment were John Goodyear, Gerry Hafer, Larry Hanna, Steve Poplarski, Art Staus and Jim West.
A veteran predictor, Gerry Hafer, led the way and his name has been added to the traveling trophy. Gerry has demonstrated perseverance – it took him four tries to win the trophy. The trophy comes with automatic bragging rights for at least a year and will no doubt be prominently displayed in a place of honor.
The final standings were:
3 wins, 418 points Gerry Hafer
3 wins, 406 points John Goodyear
2 wins, 398 points Larry Hanna
2 wins, 371 points Steve Poplarski
2 wins, 335 points Jim West
1 win, 394 points Art Staus
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2019
2019 Prediction Row Champion - Bob Woodsford
There is a saying among Prediction Row competitors, "Wins mean everything!" Our standings are ranked by wins with points used as a tie breaker.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Joe Kavalauskas, Tom Kwasniewski, Paul Morbit, Lou Palmer, Harry Scheiblin and Janine Woodsford. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Mike Anderson, Chris Bleistein, Gerry Greim, Ernie Moretti, Jim Pappas and Bob Woodsford.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Playoff Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Playoff Segment were Mike Anderson, Joe Kavalauskas, Paul Morbit, Ernie Moretti, Bob Woodsford and Janine Woodsford.
For only the second time in Prediction Row history, we had a husband and wife competing for the championship. Bob Woodsford prevailed over Janine in the all-important statistic of wins. Bob's name was added to the traveling trophy and it is his to adore for a year.
The final standings were:
2 wins, 388 points Bob Woodsford
2 wins, 365 points Mike Anderson
2 wins, 357 points Ernie Moretti
1 win, 403 points Janine Woodsford
1 win, 338 points Paul Morbit
1 win, 327 points Joe Kavalauskas
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2018
2018 Prediction Row Champion - Chris Bleistein
Our tried-and-true competition continued to rank standings by wins with points used as a tie breaker.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Chris Bleistein, Don Day, Carol Davis, John Emms, Tom Horrmann and Shel Larsen. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Jerry Conkle, Hazel Kurrasch, Georg Meidhof, Ernie Moretti, Jim Pappas and Roger Taylor.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Playoff Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Playoff Segment were Chris Bleistein, John Emms, Hazel Kurrasch, Shel Larsen, Ernie Moretti and Roger Taylor.
Rookie prognosticator, Chris Bleistein, prevailed and now has his name engraved on the traveling trophy. He can proudly display the trophy accompanied by bragging rights until a new champion is crowned in 2019.
The final standings were:
2 wins, 422 points Chris Bleistein
2 wins, 382 points Hazel Kurrasch
2 wins, 335 points Ernie Moretti
1 win, 366 points Roger Taylor
1 win, 344 points Shel Larsen
0 wins, 334 points John Emms
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2017
2017 Prediction Row Champion - Jerry Conkle
The announcement of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup also unveiled a change in scoring - the addition of segment points. Our Prediction Row continued to rank standings by wins. Points were used as a tie breaker.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Art Fehrman, Gerry Greim, Joe Kavalauskas, Shel Larsen, Ernie Moretti and Lou Palmer. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Mark Chatterton, Jerry Conkle, Don Day, Carol Emms, Harry Scheiblin and Sonny Schwaber.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Playoff Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Chase Segment were Mark Chatterton, Jerry Conkle, Don Day, Art Fehrman, Gerry Greim and Lou Palmer.
Jerry Conkle achieved Best of the Best status with four wins and more points than Gerry Greim. His name has been added to the traveling trophy which he will retain while he defends his crown in 2018.
The final 2017 standings were:
4 wins, 440 points Jerry Conkle
4 wins, 362 points Gerry Greim
3 wins, 403 points Mark Chatterton
2 wins, 398 points Don Day
0 wins, 411 points Lou Palmer
0 wins, 404 points Art Fehrman
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2016
2016 Prediction Row Champion - Harry Scheiblin
Our Prediction Row competition continued to emphasize winning a Sprint Cup race. Standings were determined by wins, with points used as a tie breaker.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Carol Angiolo, Darren Ivey, Tom Meyer, Lou Palmer, Dennis Passehl and Harry Scheiblin. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Steph Allen, Dan Gammon, Bill Garcia, Renetta Thompson, Mike Touchette and Bob Watson.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Chase Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Chase Segment were Steph Allen, Carol Angiolo, Dan Gammon, Darren Ivey, Harry Scheiblin and Renetta Thompson.
A rookie predictor, Harry Scheiblin, led the way with three wins and his name has been added to the trophy. He can proudly display the traveling trophy and will defend his crown in 2017.
The final 2016 standings were:
3 wins, 352 points Harry Scheiblin
2 wins, 319 points Steph Allen
2 wins, 308 points Darren Ivey
2 wins, 303 points Carol Angiolo
1 win, 354 points Renetta Thompson
1 win, 318 points Dan Gammon
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2015
2015 Prediction Row Champion - Darren Ivey
NASCAR's emphasis on winning a Sprint Cup race was the model used for our scoring. Standings were determined by wins, with points used as a tie breaker.
Six club members competed in the Spring Segment - races 1-13. They were Dan Gammon, Kim Garcia, Darren Ivey, Tony Kennea, Jim Pappas and Lois Taylor. Six more members competed in the Summer Segment - races 14-26. They were Don Day, Tina Ivey, John Kitowicz, Dave Monahan, Wendy Touchette and Bob Woodsford.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Chase Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Chase Segment were Don Day, Darren Ivey, Tina Ivey, Jim Pappas, Lois Taylor and Bob Woodsford.
For the first time in Prediction Row history, we had a husband and wife competing against each other, and they took it down to the wire. Darren Ivey earned the honor of having his name engraved on the traveling trophy. When accepting the trophy, Darren confidently declared that his name can be added as the 2016 champion.
The final 2015 standings were:
3 wins, 383 points Darren Ivey
2 wins, 329 points Tina Ivey
1 win, 333 points Lois Taylor
1 win, 301 points Bob Woodsford
1 win, 223 points Don Day
0 wins, 263 points Jim Pappas
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2014
2014 Prediction Row Champion - Shirley Birchwale
When NASCAR announced its emphasis on winning a Sprint Cup race, our competition followed suit. Standings were determined by wins with points used as a tie breaker.
Six club members competed in Segment One - races 1-13. They were John Angiolo, Syd Baker, Paul Barth, Gerry Greim, Barb Pappas and Janine Woodsford. Six more members competed in Segment Two - races 14-26. They were Mike Anderson, Shirley Birchwale, Mimi Carter, Tom Horrmann, David Vanderwall and Daryl Ware.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Chase Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Chase Segment were Mike Anderson, John Angiolo, Syd Baker, Shirley Birchwale, David Vanderwall and Janine Woodsford.
Shirley Birchwale, a rookie predictor, prevailed over all others and now has her name engraved on the trophy. She can proudly display the traveling trophy accompanied by bragging rights until a new champion is crowned in 2015.
The final standings were:
3 wins, 356 points Shirley Birchwale
2 wins, 384 points John Angiolo
2 wins, 334 points David Vanderwall
1 win, 356 points Mike Anderson
1 win, 337 points Janine Woodsford
0 wins, 302 points Syd Baker
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2013
2013 Prediction Row Champion - Syd Baker
A new era of Prediction Row began with the awarding of the new, official Prediction Row traveling trophy.
Six club members competed in Segment One - races 1-13. They were Syd Baker, Gary Civiletti, Jerry Conkle, Gerry Hafer, Wayne Nolan and Alan Stone. Six more members competed in Segment Two - races 14-26. They were Mike Anderson, Jim Carter, Jim Dunaway, Corky Eck, Jon Neville and Wendy Touchette.
The Top 3 in each segment transferred into the Chase Segment - races 27-36. The competitors in the Chase Segment were Syd Baker, Jim Carter, Gary Civiletti, Jon Neville, Alan Stone and Wendy Touchette.
Syd Baker, the first predictor to win this prize, can proudly display this traveling trophy accompanied by official bragging rights until a new champion is crowned in 2014. The names of these previous champs are also inscribed on the trophy: "Big Dave" Bockman, Silky Meegan, Bill Tharp, Alan Stone and Wayne Nolan. We thank club Godfather, Dick Anderson, for donating this beautiful trophy from his private museum collection in Wildwood.
The final standings were:
416 Syd Baker
412 Alan Stone
371 Jon Neville
361 Gary Civiletti
354 Jim Carter
293 Wendy Touchette
Click Here to see complete season scoring.
2012
2012 Prediction Row Champion - Wayne Nolan
Six club members competed in Segment One - races 1-13. They were Glen Carter, Gary Civiletti, Fred Coenen, Jerry Conkle, Bob Giles and Wendy Touchette. Six more members competed in Segment Two - races 14-26. They were Corky Eck, Jon Neville, Wayne Nolan, Matt Patterson, Connie Scalzitti and Alan Stone.
The Top 3 in each segment who transferred into the 10-race Chase Segment were Fred Coenen, Jerry Conkle, Corky Eck, Bob Giles, Jon Neville and Wayne Nolan.
As is often the case in stock car racing, the sprint to the finish was a shocker, with Wayne Nolan coming out of nowhere to overtake the leaders in the closing laps at Homestead.
On average, Nolan's picks during the ten Chase races finished tenth, while runner up Jerry Conkle racked up an 11.3 average and third-place finisher Bob Giles came in at an 11.4 average. During the Chase Segment, Jon Neville occupied the top spot seven of the ten weeks, but dropped to fourth as a result of Jimmy Johnson's final race problems. Neville's overall Chase average fell to 13.5 for the full ten races.
The final standings were:
354 Wayne Nolan
345 Jerry Conkle
335 Bob Giles
334 Jon Neville
317 Corky Eck
302 Fred Coenen
2011
2011 Prediction Row Champion - Alan Stone
The competition for 2011 was "spiced up" to enable more members to show their skills. The season was split into two 13-race segments. The Top 3 in each segment transferred into a 10-race Chase Segment - races 27-36, which coincides with the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Six club members competed in Segment One - races 1-13. They were Dave Bockman, Jim Carter, Gary Civiletti, Dave Colbert, Connie Scalzitti and Alan Stone. Six more members competed in Segment Two - races 14-26. They were Syd Baker, Glen Carter, Jerry Conkle, Jim Dunaway, Corky Eck and Wendy Touchette.
The Top 3 in each segment who transferred into the Chase Segment were Syd Baker, Jim Carter, Gary Civiletti, Jerry Conkle, Jim Dunaway and Alan Stone.
The competition was intense for the whole season and the excitement didn't diminish during the Chase Segment. Runner-up Jim Dunaway held the lead through nine Chase races only to suffer a fate similar to that of Carl Edwards in the Sprint Cup competition. In the tension-filled season finale at Homestead, Dunaway sat transfixed as eventual Cup winner Tony Stewart methodically ground his way to a win over Carl Edwards, watching his lead evaporate due to Alan Stone's selection of Tony Stewart as the winner.
The final standings were:
52 Alan Stone
51 Jim Dunaway
50 Jim Carter
48 Jerry Conkle
47 Gary Civiletti
45 Syd Baker
2010
2010 Prediction Row Champion - Bill Tharp
Six predictors competed for the entire 36-race Sprint Cup season. The participants were Syd Baker, Jerry Conkle, Silky Meegan, Connie Scalzitti, Bill Tharp and Bill Wilkie.
When the checkered flag waved at the season finale at Homestead, Bill Tharp was crowned the champion of season three.
The final standings were:
210 Bill Tharp
199 Bill Wilkie
187 Silky Meegan
185 Connie Scalzitti
166 Jerry Conkle
161 Syd Baker
2009
2009 Prediction Row Champion - Silky Meegan
In the second season of Prediction Row, there were eight club members who provided predictions for the entire 36-race season. They were Dave Bockman, Buster Burt, Glen Carter, Gerry Hafer, Silky Meegan, Harry Perret, Wendy Touchette and Linda Turecek.
At season's end, Silky Meegan was crowned the champion. She prevailed over her competition with some awesome statistics: 12 winners predicted and her predictions finished in the Top-10 26 times.
The final standings were:
281 Silky Meegan
266 Linda Turecek
251 Gerry Hafer
230 Glen Carter
227 Dave Bockman
215 Wendy Touchette
214 Harry Perret
204 Buster Burt
2008
2008 Prediction Row Champion - Dave Bockman
Larry Croom, representing The Villages Daily Sun, presented "Big Dave" Bockman with the top prize in the Prediction Row sweepstakes.
For this inaugural edition of Prediction Row, five members of the club were selected to submit weekly predictions for the outcome of Sprint Cup events. The point system was based on highest finishing positions among the drivers for whom predictions were made.
Participating club members were (in order of finish in the competition):
Dave Bockman
Rich Freed
Wendy Touchette
Glen Carter
Gerry Hafer