Pickem: Martinsville

For the second week in a row the drivers will battle a short track. The only difference is the that Martinsville is a flat short track comparable to a paper clip. It is the brightest idea for NASCAR to put another short tack after Bristol? Probably not, but they did therefore payback could come this weekend. Some drivers to watch out for could be Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart, plus don't be surprised if Greg Biffle or Jimmie Johnson run good. Then there is my pick...the active driver with the most wins at this track....

My Pick:
Jeff Gordon

Opinion: Was the move made by Kurt Busch ok??

On other sites I have read opinions on both sides of this issue. Some believe that bumping another driver (purposely) out of the way is wrong, others feel its part of racing. What is your take?? I think that it comes with the will to win, plus its Bristol meaning that bumping is the best way to get around a slower car.

My second question is your opinion on the Gordon/Kenseth run-in and if you think that Kenseth purposely wrecked Gordon in retaliation for Gordon (like Busch) knocking Kenseth off the bottom?? Personally, I think that Kenseth was not happy at either Busch or Gordon for bumping him and Gordon happen to be the one to get the buisness from Kenseth. With that said.....I put some blame on Gordon. If your going to put the bump to some one....please....make sure you have the car to get away (example Busch)...if not..you get the spin.

Kurt Busch Bumps His Way To Victory

Tempers flared during the race, so it was no surprise when it ended the same way. Matt Kenseth was leading late in the race until Kurt Busch gave him the bumper and sending him up the track. Kurt held on for his fifth win at Bristol Motorspeedway. The fireworks did not end there as Jeff Gordon followed Busch by bumping Kenseth aside but this time Kenseth made sure to return the favor, sending Gordon spinning to a 21st finishing spot. The top tens is listed below:

1. Kurt Busch
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Carl Edwards
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Mark Martin
7. Greg Biffle
8. Kyle Busch
9. Ryan Newman
10. Kasey Kahne

Qualifying; Rained Out

The starting player is determined by last years driver points meaning Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle will start on the front row followed by Carl Edwards and Mark Martin. The top five in Happy Hour consisted of Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett and Kyle Busch.

Earlier today (after a lengthy snow delay) Kyle Busch put his monte carlo in victory lane in the Sharpie Mini 300 from Bristol.

Pick'em: Bristol

Atlanta is finally in the books and its time to travel to the racing bull ring, Bristol Motorspeedway. This is a track that can test the driving skills and the tempers of the best of the them. Look for Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth to run well (if they survive), plus don't be surprised if Dale Jr., and Elliot Sadler (both former winners) find their way to the front. Plus, the way Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson are running I would not be shocked at all to see them win. Last week Dave picked correctly taking Kasey (no surprise).

My Pick:

Matt Kenseth

Kahne Victorious at Atlanta

Kasey Kahne found his way to victory lane on Monday after the race was postponed due to rain on Sunday. Kahne has run extremely well this season and finds himself 2nd in the points, while Jimmie Johnson finished 6th and retains the championship lead.






Top Ten
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Mark Martin
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Paul Menard
8. Kyle Petty
9. Dale Jarrett
10. Reed Sorenson

Kasey Kahne Wins Poll

Kasey Kahne will start on the pole alongside Ryan Newman. Below is the rest of the top ten starters.

1. Kasey Kahne
2. Ryan Newman
3. Jeff Burton
4. Bobby Lobonte
5. J.J. Yeley
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Greg Biffle
9. Kurt Busch
10. Casey Mears

Pickem: Atlanta

Carl Edwards swept both races at Atlanta last year so it may not be a bad pick to go with but there are a few others that could be strong, including Johnson, Stewart, & Biffle plus Kenseth & Kahne could stay hot & pick up the win.

My Pick:

Mark Martin

Jimmie Johnson lucky number 1.

Jimmie Johnson lead a total of one lap in Sundays race but that one lap was all it took for him to earn his second win of the season (matter of fact he really didn't lead that one until the finish line). Greg Biffle started on the pole but quickly lost the lead to Tony Stewart. It looked like it would be a battle between Stewart, Martin and Kenseth as they took turns swapping the lead throughout the race. Late in the race Kenseth pulled out and looked like he would take his second victory in a row but a late caution brought Johnson right up to the #17 and that's all he needed. With only a corner to go Kenseth could not hold off the #48 as Johnson took the highside and Kenseth went low with Johnson winning the drag race to the checkered. Top ten listed below:

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Kyle Busch
4. Kasey Kahne
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Mark Martin
7. Jeff Burton
8. Greg Biffle
9. Casey Mears
10. Denny Hamlin

Jimmie Johnson 2006 Preview

Jimmie Johnson had another strong year in 2005, finishing 4th in the points. If it was not for a blown tire at Homestead that put the #48 into the wall, Jimmie may have been our champ headed into the 2006 season. Jimmie has finished in the top five in points since he started his Nextel career, showing talent and the ability to win but the one thing the team lacks is that championship.

Team: Hendrick Motorsports Sponsor: Lowe's Crew Chief: Chad Knaus

2005 Stats:

4 Wins
1 Pole
13 Top Fives
22 Top Tens
5th in Final Standings

People are already starting to label Jimmie as the next Mark Martin due to his ability to win, finish high in the points year in-out but unable to finish the job by winning the championship. Well...its way to early in his career to make that comparison. Jimmie has the team and the ability to win multiple championship's before his career is up. Yet again in 2006 Johnson should get his fair share of wins and be a favorite to win Championship in 2006.

Viva Las Vegas: Who will take the Checkered??

No one has picked a winner in the first two races but I'm feeling lucky this week (Get it). Roush should be strong again this weekend but I think I will go with....

My Pick: Jimmie Johnson