Predictable phrases such as four-ace hand, Lady Luck, and rolling the dice, and words such as jackpot, odds, bet, and gamble are yawners in Las Vegas previews and press releases. But so are some of the trite, unimaginative remarks from drivers as the Countdown to the Championship is supposed to be generating excitement with this race and the Nov. 11-13 Finals at Pomona, Calif. So here’s our Top 10 List of What Not To Bother Saying Anymore When You’re In A Title Hunt:

1. “I want to get as many points as I can.”

2. “I need to do my job.”

3. “We want to finish the season strong.”

4. “My crew has worked so hard.”

5. “I have the hardest-working crew.”

6. “I have confidence.”

7. “I’m going to stay focused.”

8. “It’s a dogfight.”

9. “We’re going to take it one round at a time.”

10. “We’ll see what happens.”
 

A totally random and unscientific poll of spectators at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway came up with a fantasy list of things they might rather like to hear racers say. Here are some of the entertaining but inappropriate lines we’re likely never to hear from drivers (and probably for sound reason):
 

1. “I hope I don’t screw up and look like an idiot.”

2. “I know I’m better than these other drivers.”

3. “I wish what I was really thinking wouldn’t cost me my sponsor.”

4. “That was a d--- move.”

5. “Girls do it better.”

6. “I’m not taking it one round at a time. The two yahoos I’ll probably race in the first two rounds are ducks on a pond. I’ll start getting serious in the semifinals.”

7. “I wish my opponent would fall off the face of the Earth.”

8. Ace McCulloch was right – it’s getting so you can’t hit a guy any more.”

9. “I’m only as good as my last E.T., and that sucked.”

10. “I’m taking you down, chump.”