Week 21 -- The Brickyard (or whatever it's called now)
It sure was nice to have a week off after a grueling schedule of weekly (or is that "weakly") predictions. I closed out on a high note at Pocono, going 7-for-10. Don't expect that performance this weekend. The Brickyard is one of those places that always seems like it should be a snap to pick, but seldom is.
You take the a long, demanding flat track where each of its four corners is separate from its nearest neighbor. Throw in a few native Indiana boys who really want to win at their "home" track very badly. Look to see who's won here before. Throw it all into a grab bag and pull out a few names and you'll stand as good a chance of coming up with the winners.
I won't resort to the grab bag method, but I've got a feeling this is gonna be tough.
GLENN'S TEN:
* Ryan Newman (winner) -- Do I really think Ryan's going to win this race, when he hasn't won in close to a year now? The short answer is: I don't really know. This qualifying field was such a topsy-turvy mess that most of the favorites will be coming from the back. Ryan is one of the few who starts toward the front, and he's one of those Indiana boys I was talking about, with something to prove. He's been driving more consistently lately, so why not?
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Greg Biffle -- Starting 31st? He won't be that bad in race trim.
* Rusty Wallace -- Had to qualify on owner points and starts 41st. Yuch! But my gut tells me he'll find his wat to the front. He's come close to winning here before and this is his last shot at it.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Starts 42nd because he didn't take a qualifying lap. What's with all these guys? Please, it can only get better from here.
* Kurt Busch -- Starts 37th. The defending champ didn't exactly light 'em up in qualifying, but if anybody can two-tire-stop his way into the lead it is the #97 bunch.
* Jeff Gordon -- Will starting up front prove to be the curse I think it will be? I hope not for Jeff's sake, because he's rolling off 7th and needs a good finish. First would be nice. On a good day I'd probably give it to him, but lately...
* Tony Stewart -- Nobody's been hotter than this man. Smoke gets pretty emotional about this track, and he's even more emotional the worse he finishes. I really would like to see Tony win this race, but something tells me he'll come up short yet again. Starts 22nd, so who knows.
* Jamie McMurray -- Right behind Stewart is this cat. He nearly won here a year ago. I know he's capable of running up front, but for how long?
* Dale Jarrett -- Starts 24th. He's won here before, so maybe if he just plays it cool he'll find his way toward the front.
* Kevin Harvick -- I worry about Happy. He won here two years back, but of all these picks I think he's most vulnerable.
ALSO WATCHING: Just too many good cars to fit on the list... Elliott Sadler (The curse of starting on the pole will get him)... Ricky Rudd (Almost bumped Harvick to get him in. He's won one here.)... Mark Martin (Starts 10th and I'll probably regret not taking him)... Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Still thinks he's got a chance at the Chase and just might work his way out of 27th by day's end.)
