Week 12 — Lowe's
On the heels of last weekend's all-star crash fest we're back at Charlotte for 600 miles under the lights. This place is a Young Guns sorta track, which means we should expect a show from the Johnsons, Harvicks, Newmans and Busches. I've got a very strong feeling about this race, so without further adieu...
Glenn's Ten:
* Jimmie Johnson (winner) -- He owns Lowe's, or is it the other way around? Nothing like a crappy finish in the all-star to fire you up for a points race at your home track. He's the defending champion, on the pole, and no reason to think he won't repeat. Hendrick drivers have this place figured out. (See Kyle Busch winning the 300-miler on Saturday...)
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Tony Stewart -- Smoke loves the lights... and he hasn't won yet this year.
* Matt Kenseth -- 37th on the grid is a little tougher start than last week's 3rd, but he's got 400 laps to work with.
* Jamie McMurray -- Won here fall '02. had a good car in the all-star open. Look for a top 10.
* Jeff Gordon -- Would be cool if he celebrated the 10th anniversary of his first career victory by getting his 67th...
* Ryan Newman -- Missed the pole by thousands of a second. Won't gamble on old tires this time.
* Greg Biffle -- If he stays away from Kurt Busch...
* Sterling Marlin -- Always dangerous at Lowe's. Due for a top 10.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Points leader has incentive.
* Bobby Labonte -- Will show his colors in the final 50 laps.
Dark horses: Kevin Harvick, Mark Martin and Jeremy Mayfield.
Prediction: Robby Gordon finishes below 25th after finishing about the same at Indy.
