It's been a while because I have been both busy and lazy at the same time. This week the Nextel Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the Samsung 500. After a week off for the Easter holiday the Cup Series head off without a full break until July 22. The All-Star Challenge (May 19) is the only weekend without a points race until mid-July. There are some interestign story lines for this weekend. Mark Martin returns to the track for the first time in two races, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are back on the track with one another after a thrilling finish at Martinsville, there was last year's cat-fight between Kurt Busch's and Greg Biffle's significant others and the Car Of Tomorrow races are done for a week. So, what will happen this weekend? Odds are that Chevrolet will continue its early season domination (Chevys have won five of the six races; four of which by Hendrick Motorsports drivers). The only hope for ford lies in the Roush Fenway stable. Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards have all posted victories for Jack Roush at Texas. Jeff Gordon leads the points and has been the most consistent driver week to week followed by Jeff Burton (who appears to be in championship form). Jimmie Johnson is on the verge of capturing the points lead with his three victories in six races. Who will prevail? Here's my six favorites for the weekend!6. Jimmie Johnson- Three victories so far this season makes him the odds on favorite at any track. However, don't look for him to keep that winning mojo going. Although, Johnson has dominated TMS' sister tracks in Charlotte and Las Vegas over the past few years. He inches closer to the points lead by passing Burton this weekend, but nothing more than a solid top-10 finish for Johnson.
5. Carl Edwards- My preseason pick for Nextel Cup champion. He gets better every week and hasn't won in almost two seasons. Kenseth may be the best thing Roush Fenway has to offer at this point in the season, but Edwards is due. He's due a back flip and his hauler driver is due a shave! If a Ford Fusion is going to find itself in victory lane this weekend it will be with an Edwards back-flip. Ford has a alot of work to do in order to be in the title hunt this year.
4. Kevin Harvick- After winning the Daytona 500 the defending Busch Series champion has struggled. His struggles were highlighted by the padding in the door of his COT cathcing fire in Martinsville. Harvick needs to get back on track if he hopes to stay in the top-12 in points. He bounces back this week with a solid finish and should be running near the fromt all day.
3. Kurt Busch- I don't have any reason for putting him here. It's just a hunch. He won a Busch race in Texas last year. The 'Blue Deuce' is also due a victory. If there is a wild card pick this week it has to be Busch based on my hunch alone!
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.- Past success at TMS is the reason for Jr. being ranked this high. He has won convincingly at this race track in the past. This team seems to be getting it together. Just a few weeks ago the Budweiser team was outside the top-35 in points and now its in 11th. If Jr. and his team can get along then look for a possible win.
1. Jeff Gordon- It may not be his best track and you may call me a 'homer.' However, the man is back to his old self. Furious after losing the race at Martinsville the four-time champion gave us glimpse to the past. The championship fire of the late 90s early 2000s appears to be back. The points leader is still seeking his first win of the season. His team mates Johnson and Kyle Busch have accounted for four of the six race victories thus far this season. Gordon broke through for his first win at Chicagoland Speedway last season and looks to garner his first Texas sized victory this weekend.
Photo:
http://img.callroyal.com/images1/newsletters/s_feb1706/pic01_jeffGordonDaleEarnhar.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment