Week 26 -- Richmond
It's put-up or shut-up time for the Chase contenders. Those clinging to the bottom of the top 10 and those just on the outside HAVE to finish well tonight or they can forget booking those plane tickets to New York. But of course not everyone will accomplish that goal.
I am frankly in a tizzy over this week's picks. After my disastrous predictions of last week, I feel sort of like one of those Chase hopefuls looking to redeem myself with the performance of my life. But my focus this week has been on the start of football season, learning about the strengths and weaknesses of the gridiron guys, which has diverted my attention from the race track. But let's see how I do...
GLENN'S TEN:
* Dale Jarrett (winner) -- Ol' DJ has been quietly making a run at respectability this season. He's had a few top 5's recently. He's 43 points out of the Chase. Tonight he will rise to the occasion and finally return to Victory Lane, but will still fall short of making the "postseason" based on my other predictions. How will he do this? Beats me! He's starting 25th, but perhaps teammate Elliott Sadler's win last week will be the inspiration he needs to finish well.
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Mark Martin -- Mark smells blood now that he's in the hunt. He won't choke tonight. Might even win.
* Ryan Newman -- He's got the pole, but can he repeat his Richmond performance of last year? (I'm hoping so!) No, he'll fall short of a win, but he will get the top 5 he needs to lock up the Chase spot.
* Jeremy Mayfield -- Finished second to Newman last year.
* Kasey Kahne -- Finishes second to everyone, it seems.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Developing into a good short-track driver. Won the spring race.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Remember it's the CHEVY Revolution 400. Chevy must be well represented in the top 10.
* Jeff Gordon -- I'm very worried. Has little to gain or lose here, so just might choke. But look out starting at New Hampshire...
* Kurt Busch -- Had a great race going here in the spring before losing a fan belt.
* Matt Kenseth -- You thought I'd forget to include the #17 this week? Almost...
Will I regret not picking: Tony Stewart? (Ran strong in the spring.) Jeff Burton? (Likes his new team and runs well on the short tracks.) Rusty Wallace? (Hmmmm. Farewell tour starts NEXT year.)
Goners: Bobby Labonte and Kevin Harvick are on the outside looking in, where they will still be after this race. Jamie McMurray starts 36th. That doesn't bode well for making the cut.
