Week 22 — Watkins Glen
Looks like the road course ringers got rained out, which will make for an interesting race on Sunday. Thanks to the way the field is set by owner points this week, some of the guys who would have been sure bets to contend for a win — Scott Pruett and Boris Said, for example — will be watching from the sidelines. Meanwhile, some other road course kings such as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart will be starting near the front. Right where they will be all day.
I like The Glen, because unlike Sonoma where speeds are kept to a sedate 100 mph or less, you can actually get up into the 150s in places here. Sort of like a speedway, but not. Who will master the turns, left and right, on Sunday?
Glenn's Ten:
* Jeff Gordon (winner) -- Look out for this guy! He's out to prove he is still the road course king, and it's been a couple of years since he went to victory lane here. We all remember last year, when he got spun out on the first turn and then ran out of gas on the final lap and was punted into the wall by Kevin Harvick for a finish in the low-20s. A memory that could easily be erased by a trip to Victory Lane, which would be the 70th of his career. Plus, Jeff has won back-to-back races 18 times in his career. He is still on cloud 9 from last week's win at Indy. If he manages his race properly, it's his to lose.
Rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Jimmie Johnson -- will bounce back after bad race at Indy.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Last trip to a road course ended in flames, but maybe in his Cup car he'll have better luck. Actually, Junior is a decent road racer, but we'll see...
* Tony Stewart -- If Gordon slips, Tony will be there.
* Matt Kenseth -- With a good starting spot (5th) he should be able to make something happen.
* Kurt Busch -- Had bad luck at Sonoma, but if the car stays in one piece he could be a factor.
* Kevin Harvick -- Just maybe.
* Mark Martin -- A good day for Rousch Racing?
* Rusty Wallace -- 17th on the grid, but he'll be patient.
* Robby Gordon -- This is what being low in the points can do. Starts 23rd, but won't stay there. Also has something to prove after Sonoma debacle.
Sleeper picks: Michael Waltrip (not so bad on the road courses) and Dale Jarrett (not so good, but then this program is turning around).
Sorry, but... Bobby Labonte starts 8th and should be a factor, but something tells me he won't be. I'm waiting to see what happens when they finally get their crew chief issue settled... Ryan Newman is another guy I worry about. He needs a good finish to help his points position, and the road courses have been good to him, but I fear he is reaching the bottom of the luck bank.
