Hey guys…Schafe here, back in my Jersey hometown and fresh from Thunder Valley. Well…I wouldn’t say “fresh,” exactly…You see, I actually got into a fight down there. Yep, Schafendinger scrapped…with the Sun. Let’s just say that the outcome wasn’t pretty. ;D
Anyway, let’s get down to business…the Cup boys continue their short track mentality this week when they head to the paper clip-like Martinsville Speedway. This half mile flat track is known for both its close, contact filled racing as well as it’s toughness on brakes. This creates a paradox for the drivers: while they must be aggressive to avoid being shuffled out of line, they must also ensure that their brakes last the entire 500 lap+ distance.
Last week:
At Bristol, I decided to back the top 15 machine, David Stremme. For most of the race, it seemed like he wouldn’t disappoint: Despite being involved in a pile-up early in the race, Stremme drove from 37th on the restart after his wreck to as high as 13th, staying on the lead lap quite convincingly during the race’s two distinctly long green flag runs. However, late in the race he spun in turns 3 and 4, relegating himself to a 19th place finish…one lap off the pace. Sure, it’s not pretty by any means, but in retrospect, I should have started him over Tony Stewart. I’d gladly give up a measley four points for another Stewart start…that’s for sure. X_X
Schafe’s B-list “Hail Mary” of the Week:
This week, I’m going to go with Big Red himself: the Colombian Conquistador, Juan Pablo Montoya. When he first debuted, JPM at Martinsville seemed more like a joke than anything else: how could a foreign F1 and IRL driver survive at a tough track like this? Well, Juan has really come into his own at this place, making it one of his best tracks on the circuit. With finishes of 16th, 8th, 13th, and 14th in 2007 and 2008, Montoya clearly has a knack for getting around the Martinsville Speedway.
Here are two more interesting stats that will make you a believer in Montoyism: he’s finished all but ONE lap in his entire Martinsville career (and he lost that battling soft brakes in last year’s fall race), and he’s 10th in cumulative points here since 2007. Looks like a go for Juan Pablo this weekend to me…no?
Finally, I’ll even tell how why he may surprise with his best career finish at M’ville this Sunday: For one, he’s now in DEI equipment, and their flat track program for the past few seasons has been among the best in the Cup field. Also, with the threat of rain cancelling Friday’s qualifying session, Montoya would start 15th. Although this isn’t exactly an optimal starting position for Martinsville (qualifying in the top ten has way too many perks here), this is still light years ahead of where Juan usually takes the green flag from, as his career average starting position at this paper clip is a shoddy 25.5.
I may also decide to take a flier on the driver of the #07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet, Casey Mears. Though Casey has done jack-squat so far in 2009 (no pun intended), this could easily change as Martinsville. Casey really got his act together at this Virginia short track last year, posting strong finishes of 6th and 7th. Also, according to a poster on our forums, Casey’s chassis for the weekend has never finished outside the top 12. These facts definitely point to Mears as a credible top ten finishing, start-saving threat. Plus, personally, it’s always good to have somebody on my team that I actually enjoy rooting for, so Casey scores some personal points with me, as well. If you have two roster spots available, underdogs such as Montoya and Mears can definitely deliver in the place of your Hamlins and Earnhardts.
So, FNPers…enjoy the race and good luck with your teams on Sunday! And always remember…DON’T LISTEN TO MARK GARROW’S ADVICE! That is all. =]
Schafe, out…
