Sunday evening, the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints tangle in Super Bowl XLIV.  It’s a classic match up of the two best teams in football.  New Orleans ripped off 13 straight wins to start the year, until they hit a bump in the road as they coasted into the playoffs. The Colts started the year winning 14 games in a row, until they decided to rest their starters in the second half of the game against the Jets in week 15.  Both teams cruised through the payoffs to get to the title game.

The Super Bowl brings in the biggest TV ratings every year, as it’s not just a game, it an event.  It has been referred to as an unofficial national holiday in many circles.  This is a racing story, so why are we talking about a football game?  I thought it would be fun to take a quick spin around the supermodified world and tap into the thoughts of some of the familiar faces at Oswego Speedway about their thoughts on who they would like to see win, how it will play out, and if they have any plans for the big game. 

Stephen Gioia III (Driver Super #9) – "I am going with Peyton and the Colts, because I just enjoy watching Peyton do all those amazing things that he does.  Oh and maybe the colts can give him a little help so he doesn't have to do it alone."

Craig Rayvals (Driver Super #94) – "I don't watch football much but caught last weekends playoff games. I think I will pick the New Orleans Saints.  That Bree’s guy looks like he knows what he's doing' and I’ll root for them since they’ve never made it to the Super Bowl."

Larry Lee (Crew Member Super #99 and Eagles Fan Club President) – "I have to go with the Saints. ‘Gotta love the underdog."

Jack Patrick (Driver SBS #9) – "Going with the Saints because I like the underdog if you can believe that!  Not doing anything as far as I know of other than just watching at mom and dads maybe."

Dave McKnight (Driver Super #08) – "I don t really follow football but I hope the Toronto Argonots win the Super Bowl!  Ha, ha, ha, just kidding."

Dustin Geers (Track Handicapping) – "I think I'll be cheering for New Orleans, but I won't be disappointed at all if Indianapolis wins. It'd be great for a community that has gone through so much to win their first super bowl. I'll be hosting a Super Bowl party for my friends with two big TVs in my heated garage, and I can't wait!! Is it racing season yet?"

Mike Murphy (Longtime Crewman and former Speedway Scene columnist) – "Indy Colts, because Dwight Freeney, who went to Syracuse, plays for them and being a Bengal fan, I stick with the AFC"

Trent Stephens (Driver MSA #19) – "I'm rooting for the Colts. Next state over and Peyton’s on the way to being the best QB ever. As for the Super Bowl myself, I get screwed and have to work and deliver all the pizza on one of our busiest days of the year for Domino's Pizza. LOL"

Carol Demling Haynes (Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame member, media) – "I'd have to go with the Colts because they are from Indianapolis and that's where my favorite race track and race are.  Besides I like the name Payton Manning. Other than that I have not much knowledge of either team. Was rooting for reappearance of the Vikings and Jim's family is big on the Packers."

Andrew Schartner (Driver SBS #18) – "I will be on the Saints bandwagon. I’m going to have to hold a grudge against Manning. I am a Jets fan and would like nothing more than to see Manning throw four interceptions in this game! It’s not often the Jets get there so I’m still a bit bitter about it.  A friend of mine who’s actually Kenseth’s spotter just bought a new house down on the lake here in Mooresville and may throw a Super Bowl party. If he does I will be there if not I’m sure I’ll find an alternative."

Dave Sanborn (Driver Super #12) – "TONY STEWART!!! Oh the other Super Bowl? Once the Pat's were eliminated I stopped watching."

Mike Johnson (Pinners BnG Website) – "Actually it's a Super Bowl where I'm happy with who ever wins as long as it's a good game. Whoever is behind in the 4th quarter is who I'll probably pull for, LOL.  I do kind of lean towards the Saints a little...mostly cause they have been so bad for so long!  Being a Rams fan, I know what it's like to stick with your team through a ton of terrible seasons with no hope...then to make the Super Bowl itself is an unreal feeling....and to win?  I am kind of leaning towards the Saints in another way for its fans. With all the devastation of the past years and what they went through with the hurricane a couple years ago...once again, the fans themselves deserve the thrill of a Super Bowl win."

Mike Silliman (Longtime Abold Crew Member) – "I'm rooting for the Colts. I think Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of all time. I am a Jets fan and watching Manning last week you had to tip your hat to him."

Matt Hirschman (Driver RoC Modified #60) – "I'd like to see the Saints win but more importantly that it’s a good game! I will be watching it from New Smyrna Beach Florida during Speedweeks!"

Paul Conzone (Fourth Turn Cornerman) – "Saints in a high scoring game, hopefully ending in my numbers.  Not sure if I'll be out and about or home watching the game.  My couch is pretty comfortable on Sundays."

Steve Pryor (Marketing Director) – "I’ll be rooting for the Saints to win. After being at the Cardinals overtime win against the Packers on January 10th and then having the Saints knock off the Cardinals the following weekend, I have respect for the Saints."

While teams are busy in the garage getting ready for the upcoming season, Sunday night about 6:30 it looks as though the garages will be empty and race drivers, teams, officials and fans will be tuned into Super Bowl XLIV.