Week 10 -- Darlington
As much as I enjoy night races, I'm starting to grow weary of all the
action we're starting to see under the lights in gNA$hCAR this season.
Darlington traditionally has always been a day track, but thanks to
schedule shuffling last season and the loss of the fall race here,
promoters had to do something to reward fan loyalty. So they put in
lights and moved the spring race to twilight on a Saturday.
That, the new impound rule, and the fact that the drivers only get to
race here once a year now (unless they run the Busch race) could make
for some surprises on race night.
GLENN'S TEN
* Ryan Newman (winner) -- I'm going to go out on a limb here, but maybe
not too much of one. Ryan is due for a win, and because he failed to win
the pole on Friday I think that improves his chances. Go figure. He has
run well here in the past, but got bitten by bad luck that took him out
of contention. His luck has to change eventually. And he's got one of
the spiffy new Dodge Chargers, and this just happens to be the Dodge
Charger 500, so what more fitting place to win for the sponsor? Plus, he
fell out of the top 10 last week and needs to get back on his game
quickly or he may face Championship Chase oblivion.
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Jimmie Johnson -- Talk in the garage is that Jimmie's making enemies
with some of the on-track incidents he's been involved with this season,
but he is the two-time defending race winner here.
* Jeff Gordon -- Mr. Darlington might not be dominant under the lights.
He qualified 14th. Still, look for him to be somewhere in the show.
* Kurt Busch -- Roush drivers showing their stuff this season, so why
not here? Busch is king of the short tracks under the lights, but can he
dance with the Lady in Black?
* Matt Kenseth -- Roushketeer who won Friday night's Busch race and
needs some good finishes. Starts 31st, a little further back than his
comfort zone.
* Jamie McMurray -- A Dodge. Probably one of the best in the field.
* Greg Biffle -- I'm thinking that his success so far this season might
not be a fluke, but his crash near the end of Talladega last week was.
He'll bounce back.
* Sterling Marlin -- Has always run well here. Ran the Busch race on
Friday, which will give him a slight advantage over those coming in
cold.
* Dale Jarrett -- Experience pays. I keep waiting for Dale to break out
and get some good finishes to go with his return to the top 10 in
points.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- At least one Dale is showing his mettle. He just
clawed his way back into the top 10 despite his late-lap crash last
weekend. The rebound continues Saturday night.
Also watching: ... Kasey Kahne (pole-sitter could break out here, or
break down. I'm guessing he may do the latter)... Carl Edwards (He's
been fading, but he has the Roush magic behind him)... Tony Stewart (You
never know what Smoke will do in the dark)... Kevin Harvick (Likewise.)
