Week 2 -- California
I said last week that it's too early to be visiting Fontana, California. This race used to be in April, but the gNA$hCAR's racing wizards thought it would generate more excitement after Daytona than the previous Week 2 visits to Rockingham. I miss The Rock. It was two years ago this week that Dale Jarrett won his last points race there, and a year ago that Kasey Kahne got his first of five second-place finishes to begin a successful Rookie of the Year campaign. Will California in February be as exciting as Rockingham in February used to be? Like it or not, the age of the 1-1/2 to 2-mile cookie-cutter ovals is here to stay.
I have to make this week's picks before qualifying, but at least there are a few things you can count on at California: The Hendrick cars are awesome; the DEI cars stink; and "Young Guns" like Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and their peers tend to do well. So on that note I give you...
GLENN'S TEN:
* Jimmie Johnson (winner) -- Jimmie didn't win last week, so he's already overdue. He's won here before and typically has a car capable of dominating a race of this type. I look for him to be out front early and stay there much of the race.
THE REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Jeff Gordon -- Fresh off his Daytona win and always hot at Fontana. Bad news for the rest of the league. If Johnson doesn't win, Gordon will.
* Kurt Busch -- I like Kurt's chances. It's close enough to Vegas that this is almost a hometown crowd for him. He'll come out and shine for the fans.
* Rusty Wallace -- Got career victory 54 at this track in 2001. He's sitting at 55 wins coming into this race. I still think he's got something for Fontana and will show it as he continues his farewell tour.
* Ryan Newman -- Has always run well here. Hasn't always finished well. He needs to regroup after 20th-place showing at Daytona.
* Tony Stewart -- Another guy who could shine. Might lead a lot if he starts near the front.
* Elliott Sadler -- Won here in September.
* Joe Nemechek -- Can he keep the car in one piece long enough to get to the finish?
* Mark Martin -- Daytona proved he's still got it. He'll be in the top 10 somewhere.
* Matt Kenseth -- Roush teams could quietly have a great day.
ALSO WATCHING... Greg Biffle (Rousher), Carl Edwards (Still have a feeling about his season), Kevin Harvick (Close as he gets to his hometown of Bakersfield. Might just put it all together for a day.)
