Week 33 -- Atlanta
There aren't many things you can count on in the world today. Not the presidential election, not the availability of the next hot toy this Christmas, and certainly not the winner of the Nextel Cup. But you can make book on the Hendrick teammates rising to the challenge this weekend at Hot-lanta, which will be the first Cup race since last Sunday's tragedy-marred Martinsville race. What sweeter tribute to the memories of your loved ones than a trip to Victory Lane? And I know just the guy who's gonna get there...
Glenn's Ten:
* Jeff Gordon (winner) -- OK, I had him pegged to win last week and his car didn't perform. But Jimmie Johnson's did. All the more reason to believe that Jeff will have a good day Sunday. Time's running out to close the deal on his fifth title, and he needs to pull off a big finish on a track where he can win. Darlington might be the last hope after Atlanta. It's now or never. He also needs Kurt Busch to cooperate, and with the points leader starting in the middle of the field he has a chance.
The rest of the top 10 (in no particular order):
* Jimmie Johnson -- Will keep the momentum rolling for the Hendrick family.
* Ryan Newman -- Three straight poles. So now we know Ryan is consistently fast in qualifying, but when does it start translating to consistent victories?
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Picking him did the trick last week to curse his race. Maybe I can do it two weeks running. You think? Seriously, he ran a top-5 here in the spring.
* Joe Nemechek -- A former Hendrick driver now driving with Hendrick engines. Joe runs well here.
* Kasey Kahne -- Starting 32nd, but he had a strong Busch race Saturday and, with a decent car, should get around here well.
* Bobby Labonte -- Six of his career victories have come at this track, most of those in the fall race.
* Dale Jarrett -- Why not?
* Matt Kenseth -- Even for Matt this is a little far back in the pack. 39th? He won the Saturday race so don't count him out.
* Tony Stewart -- Tony's letting us all down lately. Can the Gibbs cars break through Sunday?
Missing from the list... Mark Martin (Qualified well and second fastest in final practice. He's doomed.)... Elliott Sadler (Might surprise me, but I'll say top 15)... Kurt Busch (Has been too charmed. This is the race that will bite him.)... Jeremy Mayfield (Almost forgotten he's part of the Chase.)
