Week 20 -- Pocono (again)
I will never understand why we have to run this track twice a season within six weeks of the first race. With places like Kentucky Speedway champing at the bit to get a Cup race, it seems like gNA$hCAR could afford to dump a Pocono date to spread the wealth. Ahhh, but the wealth is what it's really all about, and the real reason why tracks like Pocono will keep their second date for the foreseeable future. Let's just expand the season to 52 weeks and it truly will become a gNA$hCAR Nation.
I'm ranting already. Time to make my picks for Sunday's latest installment...
GLENN'S TEN:
* Tony Stewart -- Am I going out on too much of a limb? I mean, four wins in five races would be quite a feat. I'd say yes, except that it's hard to pick against Smoke right now, and this is a good track for him.
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Carl Edwards -- Carl won the first race here this season, but if he's going to repeat then he'll have to cover a lot of ground. Bobby Gerhart qualified the #99 and only brought it home in 41st -- which is two spots better than Carl will start after they send him to the tail end of the field Sunday following the driver change.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Dale's another guy I don't like to pick against right now, even though he does start an abysmal 38th. He'll find some way to make it to the show by the end of the race.
* Ricky Rudd -- I've been waiting for this one. Ricky can win here, but his current ride is still highly suspect. But Fatback and the boys have been improving the situation each week, and this may be Ricky's best shot since Sonoma for a good finish.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Jimmie's always a threat to win here. Don't think he will this time around, but a top 5?
* Ryan Newman -- Ryan's slipping. Only starts 4th tomorrow. Is that a good thing? I always like to be optimistic.
* Bobby Labonte -- Bobby's been stepping it up. With teammate Tony on a tear it only stands to reason that Labonte will have a good day at a track he's won at multiple times.
* Greg Biffle -- The Biff can do little wrong, it seems.
* Mark Martin -- Will he be back next year or won't he? Who cares. He's having fun right now and still has a shot at winning his first Cup.
* Kurt Busch -- I've got a rotten feeling that Kurt is due for a big day. He could win this one.
AND WHAT ABOUT... Jamie McMurray (Surprised everyone by winning the pole. I'll be more surprised if he's still running at the finish.)... Dale Jarrett (Could make a quiet run to the front.)... Jeremy Mayfield (Knows how to win here, but does his car?)... Jeff Gordon (I shouldn't give up on him, but this clearly isn't his year. I fear more that the team is giving up, and a 21st place start doesn't do much to disprove that.)
