Week 29 — Talladega
Joe Nemechek is on the pole, but who cares. This is Talladega, where your starting position means nothing and your ability to dodge disaster means everything. The 10 drivers in the Chase all fear this race (well, perhaps nine of them) because it is a crap shoot as to where you'll finish, regardless of how good your car is. One thing we do know for certain: DEI is still the envy of the other teams at the superspeedways.
Glenn's Ten:
* Dale Earnhadrt Jr. (winner) -- Driver 8 owns this track, and April's controversial loss to Jeff Gordon is all the motivation Junior needs to get back to victory lane. Expect him to run up front all day and be there when it counts on lap 188.
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Jeff Gordon -- Trying to keep his nose clean and protect his points lead.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Hendrick cars run well here, and Jimmie needs a good finish.
* Elliott Sadler -- Will overcome last year's aerial antics to finish in the top 10.
* Kurt Busch -- Might surprise someone.
* Mark Martin -- I've just got a feeling that Mark's not going away before the end of the season.
* Dale Jarrett -- DJ can win here. He's overdue and just might.
* Tony Stewart -- Here's Tony's day: Laps 1-180, 35th place or thereabouts. Laps 181-188, claws way to top 5 finish.
* Kevin Harvick -- If bad luck doesn't bite him early he could be a factor.
* Michael Waltrip -- Gotta pick him here, but wouldn't be surprised if something happens before the checkers to ruin his day.
Chasers I didn't include: Matt Kenseth (He'll be around, but will miss the cut); Jeremy Mayfield (Puhleeese); Ryan Newman (I'd love to pick Ryan after last week's win, but this is a dangerous place for the #12).
Sleeper picks: Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle.
