Week 13 — Dover
OK, here's the question of the week: What will take longer at Sunday's MBNA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday? The salute to the late President Reagan or the number of laps after the drop of the green flag before Jimmy Spencer (or substitute the name of another back-marker driver here)pounds the wall?
This track breeds a lot of wrecks because of its high banking and high speeds. It's the kind of track guys with good, fast cars usually do well at, and one where those with poor equipment don't normally fare well for long. This could be a dangerous week for some teams that have been humming along at the top of the standings.
Glenn's Ten:
* Ryan Newman (winner) -- This cat's overdue. He missed the poll by a fraction of a second, but he has two consecutive wins here and four top 10s. He has confidence and a good car, which make Ryan a force to be reckoned with Sunday.
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Jeremy Mayfield -- On the pole and has been running well. The confidence has returned, even if he has yet to snap an 88-race drought in Victory Lane.
* Elliott Sadler -- Quietly having his best season.
* Jamie McMurray -- On the bubble for the Championship Chase. Needs a good run.
* Tony Stewart -- Has a score to settle with Ryan Newman after being aced twice by him at this track last year despite having a great car.
* Jeff Gordon -- When doesn't the DuPont team run well at their home track? Could steal the show if things go his way.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Not one of his better tracks, but he's closing in on the points lead and has incentive.
* Bobby Labonte -- Here's the line on the #18: Crappy finishes like last week's often are followed up by strong runs.
* Matt Kenseth -- Are we surprised he's starting 39th? Probably means he'll be dueling for the lead around lap 395.
* Kurt Busch -- Fastest in final practice. Can he keep it off the wall?
And why not these guys???
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Starting 26th. I've got a hunch we're going to be seeing the #8 in the spin cycle more than once. This is the week he loses the points lead...
* Kasey Kahne -- Looked awful in the first 28 laps of Saturday's rain-delayed Busch race.
* Rusty Wallace -- Waiting for that blown engine or collision damage. Bet he gets together with Junior at some point.
Dark horses: Sterling Marlin, Greg Biffle (who goes to the back of the field).
