Week 8 -- Phoenix
Everything old is new again when it comes to this race. We're used to Phoenix by now, having seen it once a season for something like the last 16 years. But we've never seen it twice in one year, nor on a Saturday night under the lights. That's what ought to make this race something special as gNA$hCAR strives for more prime time action. Will this one turn out to be anything like the great short track night races at Bristol and Richmond? This track's a mile, but it has characteristics of a short track and a road course all rolled in to the higher speeds we're accustomed to on the speedways. Ought to be a good one.
Now... who will be in the top 10 when it's all over?
GLENN'S TEN:
* Jimmie Johnson (winner) -- No reason, except that the law of averages says he's due for another win. Greg Biffle and Jeff Gordon can't be the only two-timers this season!
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Greg Biffle -- This guy's starting to scare me. Could we be seeing another Roush championship run in the making? Comes off a huge win at Texas and a victory Friday night in the Busch race here.
* Jeff Gordon -- Still trying for his first career victory at this track. He'll have to wait a bit longer, but he is on the pole for the first time.
* Rusty Wallace -- I just have a feeling he'll be in the top 10.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Won the last Cup race held at this track. Still clawing his way up in the points, so this one is important.
* Kurt Busch -- It's close to home (Vegas) so why not? Needs to recover from streak of bad weeks and will.
* Tony Stewart -- At home in the darkness.
* Matt Kenseth -- Waiting for the 2003 champ to turn it up. He's on the fringes of oblivion in the points chase.
* Mark Martin -- Mark working magic in his final season. Maybe I've had him pegged all wrong.
* Kevin Harvick -- Another nightowl. Ran well here Friday.
ALSO WATCHING: Carl Edwards (Been slumping after hot start)... Jeff Burton (Has won here before and usually runs well)... Sterling Marlin (More 2-tire strategy now that he's making noise in the points?)... Ryan Newman (I've got a bad feeling about this).
