Roush Racing weekly notes 2000-08-02

The start of the NFL regular season is just around the corner, and with the addition of comedian Dennis Miller to the Monday Night Football commentary team, preseason football has been the subject of discussion for many sports enthusiasts. On that topic, we asked the seven Roush Racing drivers to choose their pre-season favorite for this year's Super Bowl.

Chad Little, No. 97 John Deere Ford Taurus:
"I went with the Titans last year, and I'm going to stick with them again this year. Donna (Little, wife) is from Tennessee and that's how I became interested in watching them. Tennessee has always been known as a college football powerhouse, but the Titans are bringing professional football into focus. I went to a Volunteers game last year, and hopefully I'll be able to catch a Titans game at some point this year. Most of the football season is played during our off months, if you can call them that, so football is one of the few sporting events that I can follow pretty closely."

Mark Martin, No. 6 Valvoline/Cummins Ford Taurus:
"Well, I don't really watch much football so I don't actually remember who won this year's Super Bowl. I guess I would have to root for one of the Florida teams since I live there and Arkansas doesn't have an NFL team. I don't even know if any of the Florida teams are expected to do well, so I'll stick to racing."

Kevin Lepage, No. 16 FamilyClick.com Ford Taurus:
"I used to pull for the Patriots since I grew up and lived in New England. But except for '85 they haven't given us a whole lot to cheer about. Now I pull for the Panthers since North Carolina is my adopted hometown, but I don't think they have what it takes to go all the way. I'm going to say look out for the Titans this year. They had a breakthrough year last year and they have a lot of talent and another year experience."

Jeff Burton, No. 99 Exide Batteries Ford Taurus:
"Well, I don't know yet about the Super Bowl since we're so early into pre-season. I do think the Panthers will have a strong team this season. They've acquired a lot of good talent, and with the signing of Reggie White, they should have a pretty strong defense. Last year they struggled due to injuries, and they have experienced some already this year, but most of the other teams in the NFL have had difficulties like that also. I've been a Cowboys fan too, but I don't know if they can take it this year. Guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Matt Kenseth, No. 17 DEWALT Tools Ford Taurus:
"The Pack, who else. I come from Wisconsin and to pick anybody else but the Packers is criminal. With Brett Favre and the rest of their veteran guys, I think they'll be tough."

Greg Biffle, No. 50 Grainger Ford F-150:
"My pick for the Super Bowl would have to be the Seattle Seahawks. Being from Vancouver, Wash., the Seahawks were the closest team to me when I was growing up and that is who I always pulled for. They had a pretty good season last year and I look for them to be just as strong this year."

Kurt Busch, No. 99 Exide Batteries Ford F-150:
"I like the Detroit Lions for the Super Bowl. The only reason being that I live in Michigan and that's my team right now. If I move somewhere else, then I will pull for the team closest to me."