Week 25 -- California
I must admit that it feels very odd watching this race in Fontana under the lights instead of at Darlington in broad daylight, where the Cup dudes have raced every Labor Day weekend for half a century. But that's the wave of the future for gNA$hCAR, where fast cookie-cutter ovals are in and tradition flies out the window.
One tradition that won't fly out the window Sunday is Hendrick Motorsports' dominance at Fontana, where Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson have won two of the past three races (2003 was an aberration) and Brian Vickers is on the pole. How will they do under the lights?
GLENN'S TEN:
* Jeff Gordon (winner) -- Jeff has a knack for winning inaugural events, and since this is the first time for a night race in September at Fontana, on a track where he runs very well, I'm gonna put him in Victory Lane.
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Jimmie Johnson -- If Gordon doesn't win, Johnson will be right there. Figure he wants it badly after a lousy August, and would like to build some momentum for the Chase.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Bristol win boosts confidence.
* Matt Kenseth -- Always. Even from 30th.
* Kurt Busch -- Won here in spring 2002.
* Jeff Burton -- I think it's finally time to take him seriously again.
* Ryan Newman -- Clinging to 10th in points, and barely. Good run last week. Needs another at a track that *should* favor Penske success.
* Bobby Labonte -- Ditto for the #18. These guys have been steadily fading. It's do well here or watch the Chase from the outside looking in.
* Dale Jarrett -- Coming on strong when it counts, but too little too late?
* Greg Biffle -- Won the Busch race Saturday, so I'm nervous.
No room at the inn: Tony Stewart (starts deep, but usually finds a way to get up front), Kasey Kahne (Should run well here, but I couldn't bring myself to pick him), Casey Mears (Runner-up Saturday. Still improving), Jamie McMurray (This is the weekend the Chase ends for the #42).
Kudos! To Boris Said. Always fun to see Boris Badenov in the show.
