Pickem: Dover

The Nextel Cup series travels to the Monster Mile at Dover Speedway. This track is comparable to a large Bristol and it is just as tough. Look for this to be an exciting race were tempers could flare. Some drivers to look out for include Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

My Pick:

Greg Biffle

Kasey Kahne wins Coca-Cola 600

The theme of Sunday nights race: "Let Someone Else Win". The crowed got their wish as Kasey Kahne outlasted Jimmie Johnson in the closing laps of the Coca-Cola 600 Sunday night to take his third win of the season. The race was as exciting as advertised with many drivers looking forward to next weekend (including Tony Stewart, Kyle Bush, & Jeff Gordon). Other drivers with top ten runs included Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin and Jeff Burton. Scott Riggs looked strong throughout the race but a late pit road error costed him a top ten run.

Opinion: Should you be able to buy your way into a race??

Michael Waltrip has been struggling this year and that was ever present as Waltrip was unable to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600 set for this Sunday. But unlike the other 10 or so drivers who packed their bags, Waltrip pulled out the checkbook and bought a lower income team that had made the race on time, in this case it was the car drove by Derrick Cope. Waltrip now (with a little money) has a car in the race. Do you think this is right??

Pickem: Coca-Cola 600

This week the Nextel Cup guys travel...well..not very far. They actually race at the same track as last week, Lowes Motorspeedway. The race should be exciting for the fans but difficult for the drivers. The question of track surface v. tires still has not been completely answered meaning that the drivers will be at the mercy of the track the full 600 miles. One thing is a given...Jimmie Johnson will be the man to beat at his sponsors track as he has dominated over the past two years. Other drivers that could find themselves near the front include Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Mark Martin (among others). With that said, below is my pick for the week..and did I mention that I feel a little crazy this week. I was impressed with this guys run last week and if it were not for him being spun out, would have been up at the front during the challenge.

My Pick:

Scott Riggs

A Cool Million

Jimmie Johnson looked strong at his home track Saturday night, claiming his first All-Star Challenge victory and winning the million dollar check. The race itself was a wreck-fest as many of the drivers would not be around to see the finish. Among those included Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Jermey Mayfield, Michael Waltrip and Greg Biffle. Some drivers were still unhappy with the track service, believing that it is just too slick and the tires can not handle the surface. Whatever the problems, this All-Star race was an indicator to the amount of excitement we should see in the Coca-cola 600 this coming weekend.

Pickem: All-Star Challenge

This will be a little different from the regular weeks. I would like you to make two picks. A pick from the qualifying race and the winner of the actual All-Star Challenge. For those of you that are unaware of who is eligible, I have provided a list below. The rest of the drivers have to race their way in, with only one moving on. Remember here are the guildelines for getting into the Challenge: 1) Won a race in between last years Challenge and now. 2) Past Cup Champion (10 years). 3) Past winners of the All-Star Event (10 years) 4) Winner of the qualifying race. 5) Voted in by fans. Now..my picks:

Qualifying Race: Jeff Burton
All-Star Challenge: Kasey Kahne (Sorry Dave)

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Mark Martin
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Carl Edwards
6. Kasey Kahne
7. Jeremy Mayfield
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Kyle Busch
10. Ryan Newman
11. Michael Waltrip
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
13. Kurt Busch
14. Tony Stewart
15. Kevin Harvick
16. Jamie McMurray
17. Terry Labonte (may not race)
18. Greg Biffle
19. Dale Jarrett

Opinion: Voting in a Driver?

Ok..before I post say this...yes..the idea behind this advertising is for a good cause, but the question does not pertain to good v. bad. It pertains to whether it is fair. Over the past few weeks Kyle Petty has been advertising on television and online that if he is voted in to the final race of the All-Star Challenge that he will donate his winnings to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Now keep in mind that every driver has a charity (Ex: Sadler and A cure for autism.). Now here's the question. Do you think this is fair to the other drivers?

Dominate at Darlington

If you would asked Greg Biffle how this season is going he probably would tell you that it feels like King Kong is holding him prisoner. Biffle has lead the second most laps, including a few races were he was dominate but late race bad luck has ended his nights on several occasions. This weekend at Darlington was the same tune but this time Biffle sealed the deal, knocking that monkey off his back. Biffle held off a late charge from Jeff Gordon to pick up his first victory of the season. Other drivers with good runs included Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Next week the drivers travel to the home track for the Nextel Cup Series to run the All-Star Race at Lowes Motorspeedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pick'em: Darlington

Darlington is a dark horse track. There is no telling which driver and car will go to the front. One thing is for sure, it should be exciting.

My Pick:

Jimmie Johnson

Dale Jr. wins at Richmond

Dale Jr. Getter Done!!!...I'm pretty sure that was hollered a thousand times Saturday night at Richmond, but this time it actually worked out. Kevin Harvick led over half of the race but a late pit-stop mistake, when every once pitted and he did not, took the win away from the #29. In the end Junior got out of the pits infront of Denny Hamlin and Jr. held off Hamlin to pick up his first win of the season. Jimmie Johnson retained the points lead with a top 15 finish.

Pick'em: Richmond

Well, things just do not get easier for the teams as they leave the action packed super speedway of Talladega and travel to the bumping & banging of Richmond. The one thing about Richmond is, paybacks are a b*tch (excuse my language, but it just fit), so if you upset anyone at Talladega you could eat the wall at the short track of Richmond. As always, some drivers will get to the front quicker here (why does it always seem like the same guys). Look for Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Kasey Kahne to perform well this weekend. I think I'm going to go with someone new this weekend though. After his fifth place finish last week, I think this driver will turn his season around this weekend with a win.

My Pick:
Jamie McMurray

Johnson wins wild one at Talladega

Many drivers lead the Aaron's 499 but Johnson led the one that counted. Johnson picked up his third victory of the year and re-took the points lead from Matt Kenseth. Of course, the race was like any Talladega race with many different leaders, including Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Dale Jr., Kurt Busch, and polesitter Elliot Sadler (among others). The big one took place on lap eight of the race, collecting Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Hermie Sadler, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick (among others). Some other drivers had other problems, including Greg Biffle and Dale Jr., who both lost engines.