Week 33 -- Atlanta (Chase Round 7)
I can't believe that the Speed Channel guys, during Friday's qualifying for this race, actually said there are only two drivers with a legitimate chance to win the Nextel Cup. Have they looked at the point standing recently? Sure, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson are nip and tuck at the top, but Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle are well within striking distance, and with the possible exception of Jeremy Mayfield there are five other guys who are still mathematically alive should something happen to the leaders.
That's why they run the races, and Atlanta is one of those places that -- as we saw last year -- can dramatically impact the fortunes of the Chasers. Had Jeff Gordon not crashed in this race last year we would be talking about five-time champ Gordo instead of that guy Kurt Busch who "stole" the championship. Or perhaps it would be Jimmie Johnson going for his second title. Remember, he was 226 points or something like that behind after the first two races and he made almost all of it up by Homestead.
Nope, too early to count folks out. But this race could change everything.
GLENN'S TEN:
* Jimmie Johnson (winner) -- Jimmie is trying to "get inside" Stewart's head. I think it's working -- about as well as Jimmie's car will be working Sunday. He had emotion going for him in getting the victory here last year. Sunday he will have Chad Knaus and Robbie Loomis and the whole Hendrick know-how working to get him to the front. This is Jimmie's year and he can smell it. This will be the race where he takes command and doesn't look back.
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Ryan Newman -- On the pole again, but I don't expect better than a top 10. This one could be trouble. Hoping he'll stay off the wall.
* Carl Edwards -- Spring race winner. Second on the grid. Loves this place. Hmmm. That translates into a top 5 from my perspective.
* Mark Martin -- He'll keep the Viagra Ford up front.
* Kyle Busch -- Young guns seem to do well here because they're fearless. He won the truck race Saturday in slam-bang fashion. Fearless.
* Tony Stewart -- Atlanta is a Gibbs-friendly track. Points leader has too much at stake to have a bad race here.
* Bobby Labonte -- Yeah, I know he starts 35th. See note for Stewart.
* Brian Vickers -- No. 25 and Atlanta always work well together, no matter who's driving.
* Jeff Gordon -- Bad memories of recent disastrous races here abound. But starting 24th is a nice spot from which to work his way forward.
* Kurt Busch -- Once again I have to pick him. This is supposed to be a good track for the Roushketeers. We'll see.
ALSO WATCHING: Greg Biffle (Keeping an eye on all Roushers.) ...Matt Kenseth (Ditto.) ...Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Former winner at this track. Could surprise.)... Kasey Kahne (One of the Young Guns who should do well here. I never know anymore with him.)
