- I have to give Jeff Gordon thanks for making me look like a freaking genius last year. I picked him to win the race, even though he had never won at Texas. Gordon added Texas to the list of tracks he's won at.
- Back to this year. I look for the Roushkateers to bounce back and have strong runs. Matt Kenseth is showing signs of being the 2003 version of Kenseth. Very strong and consistent. He is a worthy rival to Jimmie Johnson.
- Conversely, Kevin Harvick has gone backwards, in spite of his 12th place finish at Phoenix. This is reminding me of when the COT first came out. Harvick and the #29 team ended 2006 and began 2007 strongly. Then the COT came out and they struggled to adapt to the nuances of the car. Once NASCAR came out with the new spoiler, the #29 team is struggling again. Harvick is too good to struggle for very long. He has 'Dega, Darlington, and Richmond awaiting, tracks he has run well at.
- With Kasey Kahne moving to Hendrick Motorsports in '12, will that light a fire under him, or will he continue to struggle at RPM? And will he be out of the #9 car before the end of the year and RPM shuttering the #9 team if he doesn't make the Chase?
- Thinking of you: Terry Labonte.
- In 2007, Jeff Burton became the first repeat winner at Texas when he won the spring race. Carl Edwards leads all drivers in wins at the track, with three. He'll certainly be a factor on Sunday.
- Ford leads all manufacturers in wins at the track, with nine. Conversely, Toyota has never won a Cup race at the track.
- Speaking of Kenseth, his win in April 2002 came from the lowest starting position (31st) for a race winner. Edwards has the second lowest position, 30th, when he won the first fall race in 2005.
- Look for the usual suspects to run strong: Johnson, Kenseth, Edwards, Burton, Gordon, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch.
Predicted Race Winner: Matt Kenseth. He's been stout all season, but without a win to show for it. He takes advantage of a struggling Jimmie Johnson, wins the race, and takes over the points lead. Rest of the top 5: 2) Edwards; 3) Biffle; 4) Smoke; 5) Burton.
Darkhorse top 10 finisher: David Ragan. He narrowly misses making it four Roushkateers in the top 5.
That is my Gas and Go for the week. Feel free to offer your insights.
5 comments:
Good stuff to start off the weekend. While I would like to see the Fords make a good showing at a track other than a superspeedway, I just don't see it happening until they finally start running that new engine. This thing has been in development forever and while they have been running consistently up near the front, they don't have that final push that the Chevy cars have.
jmayer, thanks. Both Kenseth and Edwards had poor qualifying efforts today. Here's a possible scenario of a Kenseth win: he stays out on a late caution while everyone else pits in order to get track position. He has the lead as he takes the white flag, then a caution comes out shortly after he takes the white flag.
Good G&G. Tony Stewart is the guy to beat this weekend. After seeing Ryan do it last week, I think he is hungrier than ever for a victory. Kenseth will give him a run for his money though...
I dont think Tony is that hungry this weekend after the huge cake I saw him eat for his 400th start! LOL
Da Biff might give them some trouble in Texas - hope so for my fantasy team's sake. I cant keep using JJ!
How bout that Sammy on the outside pole! woot! Kasey will race for wins this year if Kurt doesn't wipe him out again...
Gonger, thanks. Smoke's going to be strong, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him contend for the win. As for Kenseth, he frequently runs well at Texas.
Kristen, any truth to the rumor that he ate the WHOLE cake? I look for the Roushkateers to be strong. As for Sam, great qualifying effort! Now he has to put it all together. Kasey has had such bad luck this year, hopefully he'll put it together.
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