Top 10 cars are; 48, 5, 11, 9, 14, 42, 24, 18, 99, 29. Just missing the top 10 are the 2, 17, 39, 00, and 33. 47 and 25 should challenge for a top 15 too. Robby Gordon could suprise for a top 20 finish this week.
Greg Biffle had fuel pump problems in Happy Hour so i’d avoid him this week. Even if he they get the problem fixed he missed a big portion of practice and didn’t work on his car as much as he’d like.
Jimmie Johnson has been fast all week and should be considered the favorite along with Mark Martin. If i had to pick one i’d go Martin as he seems to be a tad better on the long run and this is a long run track.
Kasey Kahne has also been fast all week and is a lock to make my roster. This is his kind of track and with any luck i expect him to challenge for a top 5 finish.
Jeff Gordon struggled as usual early on but rallied to respectability late in Happy Hour. I wouldn’t bet against him for another top 10. Hard to justify picking him over Jimmie or Mark though.
Tony Stewart hasn’t had the best of luck at The Beast of the Southeast but is a solid top 10 car and could challenge Jimmie and Mark for the win at the end.
Juan Pablo Montoya has had an interesting weekend. First, running in the back of Jeff Burton in yesterday’s only practice. The 42 had to hire fabricators to fix the damage on the front of their machine before today’s practices. All their hard work seems to have paid off as they should also challenge for a top 5. The question for me is do i use my last allocation of Montoya or save him for Martinsville.
Kurt Busch really struggled in the first practice today trying an assortment of things to fix his ill handling car. He was much better in Happy Hour and should atleast finish in the top 15 and they may be good enough to use him and save my last Montoya start for Martinsville.
Brian Vickers, in a disturbing trend was mediocre. I though he was better in the first practice. Martin stated that the track got slicker in the 2nd session and Vickers’ car didn’t seem to like the changing track conditions. In addition, Vickers starts towards the back and will not be making an appearance on my team.
Brad Keselowski looked solid once again in Hendrick equipment and as long as he stays out of trouble he should get a top 20 finish. With some luck or strategy i could see him challenging for a top 10 or top 15 finish.
Sam Hornish practiced long runs but looked mediocre at best and i see him more of a top 25 car.
Marcos Ambrose was very fast and if i had him on my team i would have considered starting him over Keselowski. He would be the only C driver i would use over Kez. If i only had 1 start left with Ambrose i’d still save him for Martinsville or Phoenix.
Ok, to recap i’m picking Mark Martin to win. Sleepers are 47, 25, and 20. Supersleeper is Robby Gordon.
Let’s go get some points FNPers!!!
Kyle Wiseman