Congratulations to Matt Kenseth who picked up his third win of the season this past weekend in Michigan. All of the Joe Gibbs teams are looking good as we close in on the start of the Chase. There are only three races left before the start of the Chase now and we could get a new winner in any of those races which will knock out a driver who is trying to get in on points. These next three races are very critical to every driver without a win this season.
IRWIN TOOLS NIGHT RACE
This week the series heads back to Bristol Motor Speedway for the running of the Irwin Tools Night Race. As the name suggests, this race will be run on Saturday night weather permitting. This 0.533-mile concrete oval has 26-30 degree banking in the corners and drivers make a lap in about fifteen seconds. That means if you make a mistake you are going to get lapped in a hurry here. If you have a problem and have to pit under green you are going to lose multiple laps.
Kyle Busch: Kyle now sits in 29th place in the standings and has a twenty-three point lead over Cole Whitt who sits in thirty-first place. With five career wins at this track and the way he has run over the past two months, Kyle is my pick to win this week’s race. He has finished in the top five in eight of his twenty career starts here and he has the right attitude to get the job done here once again.
Matt Kenseth: Matt has four wins at this track including a win here in the spring race this season. He has also finished in the top ten in nine of his last twelve starts at this track and has momentum on his side after his dominating performance at Michigan last week. Once again it looks like the Joe Gibbs teams will be the teams to beat this weekend at Bristol.
Kurt Busch: Kurt, like his brother Kyle, has five wins at this track also. However, his last win here came way back in the 2006 season. Now that he is on a new team and is already qualified for the Chase, I think Kurt will come out with the fire he had when he was almost unbeatable at this track. I would love to see a last lap showdown between the Busch brothers this Saturday night.
Jeff Gordon: Jeff also has five career wins at Bristol and his last win here came even further back then Kurt’s. Jeff’s last win at this track was the fall race in 2002. Jeff would really like to pick up a win and lock himself into the Chase and not have to worry about getting in on points. I think he will have no problem using the chrome bumper at Bristol like he has done in the past to put himself in position to win this race.
Carl Edwards: Carl has three career wins at Bristol with the last coming in the spring race last season. Like I said earlier, all of the Joe Gibbs teams have run very well over the past two months and I think they are all going to run well once again this weekend. I think it is going to be hard for any other team to knock all of these guys off the top of the podium this weekend.
Brad Keselowski: Brad has won twice at this track in eleven starts and has four top three finishes in those eleven starts. This team has struggled a little bit recently with the handling of their car early in races but, they have come back strong at the end of races. Brad has the right mentality to not worry about a little beating and banging and that is how you win at Bristol.
Tony Stewart: Tony has one win at this track and has qualified well the last month of the season. I think this team is getting closer to having better finishes and he should do well once again this weekend. He finished sixth here in the spring race and that was when this team was really struggling. He is a good pick this weekend if you need to make a move in your league.
Jimmie Johnson: After having a real rough time at Michigan last weekend, this team will be happy to get to Bristol. Jimmie finished second here in the spring race this year and fourth in the fall race last season. I think this team is going to get into Chase mode now and they are going to try and win another race before the Chase starts. Testing time is over for the Chase teams now as they get geared up to try and win a championship.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Dale has struggled a bit at Bristol lately with only two top ten finishes in his last ten starts here. However, the way this team has run most of the year, I think they will have a good handling car this weekend and will have a shot at the win if they can stay clean on pit road and not get caught up in an accident early in the race.
Kevin Harvick: Kevin sat on the pole for this race last season and has led over seven-hundred laps at this track. After another second place finish at Michigan last week this team is eager to get back into victory lane as we get closer to the start of the Chase. Kevin should have a good handling car once again this weekend and qualifying is very important here so that the teams can select a good pit stall.
YAHOO! FANTASY NASCAR PICKS FOR BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Yahoo Driver Group A
- Kyle Busch
- Matt Kenseth
Yahoo Driver Group B
- Carl Edwards
- Tony Stewart
- Kyle Larson
- Kurt Busch
Yahoo Driver Group C
- Justin Allgaier
- Danica Patrick
MY TOP-5 OVERALL AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
- Kyle Busch
- Matt Kenseth
- Brad Keselowski
- Kurt Busch
- Carl Edwards
Dark Horse: Kyle Larson
Stay Away From: Martin Truex Jr.