I'm not going to indulge in any excuses for anybody. Nicky hasn't been that close to Stoner in quite some time. and I think that, is what's important here. no matter where he finishes that result even though it's just testing is a phenomenal step forward for him. so,

. good job Nicky. keep up the good work.
home team is looking good. I'm a fan of all of them. each for different reasons.
Edwards cause he's a straight talker and just doesn't fuggin care what anybody thinks.
Hayden for his work ethic and refusal to ever point the finger at anybody but himself. He's a tenacious little scrapper too. always fighting for position even if it's 12th.
Spies, well he's just a freakin machine. And the more we see of him the more his personality comes out, and he's funny. I like that he doesn't play the drama card. his race craft is simple. you fvck me up, and I'll make you pay next time. he also has a smart head on his shoulders. he knows when, how and how hard to turn it on. I know he gets ridiculed for the "Mommy" thing. but I think that is about as smart a move as anybody can make. who wants you to succeed more than your mom, and who would fight harder for you than your mom. nobody ever talked shit about Loris Capirossi for his mom.
so I don't care who does the best of the three as long as they all do well. But I have to say I think Spies will lead the charge even though I'll be pulling for Nicky. I'm no fair weather fan. that all being said I'd realy like to see stoner and the turd just fuggin throw it all away. I can't stand either one of those guys. I respect their talent which is more than I can say my former favorite GP heel(lil Johnny diamond mickey mouse mf'er) but I jump for joy at their demise.