Week 18 — Chicagoland
Welcome to the future of NASCAR — the fast, cookie-cutter 1.5-mile oval called Chicagoland Speedway. This will be just the fourth race at this track, but already it is developing a reputation for high-speed thrills and being friendly to the Young Gun-types, who have dominated the first three races here. Who will forget Kevin Harvick's spin-and-win in 2002? Or Ryan Newman's trip to Victory Lane in 2003 after a hard-charging Harvick ran out of gas, falling short in his bid for a third-straight Chicagoland win? What will the 2004 edition of this race hold in store? The Busch boys already saw their share of excitement on Friday when a giant inflatable orange rolled across the track. And Jeff Gordon served notice to the Cup teams with his fourth pole in as many weeks that he is a threat to win it all this year.
Here is Glenn's Ten for Chicagoland:
* Kasey Kahne (winner) -- I had to think long and hard about this, but I'm banking on the fact that this track is nice and wide and easy to drive, and that young guys with fast cars like Kahne seem to do well. Plus, Kasey is due for his first win after four second-place finishes this season. This could be the place he finally breaks through.
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Jeff Gordon -- Hard to bet against him with the tear he's on now, but it's tough to win two in a row anymore, let alone three. Still, this is one of just four tracks he's never won at and he would dearly love to do so.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Has to keep notching those top 5's to stay up front in the points chase.
* Ryan Newman -- Second in 2002, first in 2003. He'll be somewhere close to that Sunday.
* Kevin Harvick -- Won the first two races here, and might have made it three if not for a fuel crisis. His Championship Chase hopes are in serious jeopardy. Time to step it up.
* Tony Stewart -- Backup car or not, Tony the Terror will get to the top 10.
* Bobby Labonte -- As Tony goes...
* Casey Mears -- Can we beat 7th place for a change?
* Matt Kenseth -- Starts 26th. What else is new?
* Jamie McMurray -- Every time I don't pick him he seems to do well, and vice-versa. Championship Chase hopes not completely dashed yet, but getting close.
Sleeper pick: Brian Vickers (who ran well at Daytona and may finally be turning things around.)
And what about... Dale Earnhardt Jr.? This is a crucial stretch for the media's heir-apparent to the NASCAR crown. He choked a couple of weeks ago at Michigan. He had to settle for third at Daytona, where we all know anything less than first is a disappointing day. I just see Junior struggling to about 15th or 20th here.
