Week 26 -- Richmond
Time's up! No more monkeying around! It's either make the Chase tonight or go home. Well, maybe not go home, but it sure will be a long couple of months for those who almost-but-didn't make it into the top 10. And I have a fear that a couple of guys I would like to be Chase-ing next week won't be.
This is Richmond, where Dodges rule. This is the Chevy Rock and Roll 400, where drivers of the sponsor's cars will have extra incentive to do well. Let's see how we do.
GLENN'S TEN:
* Kasey Kahne (Winner) -- Why? Kasey got his first and only win here in the spring and has absolutely nothing to lose by going all out tonight. His teammate, Jeremy Mayfield, won this race last year. Ganassi seems to have something for this place, which as you will see in a moment spells bad news for some other drivers.
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Jeremy Mayfield -- Just because. He runs well here, unfortunately.
* Jamie McMurray -- Jamie missed out on the Chase by 11 points in this race last year. He'll just squeak in. Besides, he's in a Dodge. However, he is starting 32nd...
* Ricky Rudd -- OK, so he's a Ford guy, but he's good at the short trcks and has been running well lately.
* Matt Kenseth -- I'm hoping not, but he seems destined to be a Chaser. This will seal the deal.
* Tony Stewart -- Smoke under the lights. Gotta like him here.
* Jeff Burton -- Improving. Might surprise someone.
* Ryan Newman -- Forced to a backup car that didn't qualify as fast as his starter car had been in practice. He will make the top 10, but it won't be enough to get him into the Chase.
* Kurt Busch -- Always a short track threat.
* Rusty Wallace -- Could have a quietly decent night.
Some other guys I'll be watching: Jeff Gordon (The Chase ends here tonight. Richmond has been a nightmare track for Jeff. He either wins or he crashes out. I'm predicting the latter)... Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Not totally counting him out. He starts 29th, but might find his way to the front)... Kevin Harvick (Starting on the pole guarantees nothing. Trouble likes to find him)... Hendrick and Roush drivers (I'm predicting an off night for all the Hendrick cars, including Jimmie Johnson and last week's winner, Kyle Busch. A track where they should all run well but won't. As for Roush, most of these guys have a Chase spot locked up tight. Only ones who don't are Kenseth and Carl Edwards. Edwards will run well enough to get in but won't make the top 10.)
