Week 34 -- Texas Part 2 (Chase Race 8)
Welcome to the last cookie-cutter oval in the Chase to crown a new Nextel Cup champion. Texas Motor Speedway hosts its second race of the season for the first time on Sunday. I suppose it's fitting that they've got a mile-and-a-half track, because those seem to be the only kind that gNA$hCAR wants its races run on anymore. They make for really dull racing. But OK. We aren't here to critique the track; we're here to assess the chances of the drivers.
GLENN'S TEN:
* Ryan Newman (winner) -- My rule is that I don't pick Flyin' Ryan anymore when he sits on the pole. But that's the rub this week, as Ryan wrecked on his second qualifying lap and so wins the pole but will have to start from the back of the field on Sunday. I figure one of three things will happen: 1) He'll come all the way from last to win the thing; 2) the car will be terrible from pole to post; or 3) he'll get caught up in the big wreck that Mike Skinner triggers about 10 laps in. I'll cross my fingers and hope it's number 1. Anything less than a win and I think he'll have a tough row to hoe. Phoenix is a good track for him, but not Homestead. It's now or never, Ryan!
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Jeff Gordon -- This has been a miserable track for Super G, but he's taking it more seriously this time around, having tested here and now qualifying second. One of the few tracks where he's never one, including the next two on the schedule. He'll nail down another victory before the year is out, I predict. Why not here?
* Matt Kenseth -- Watch out! Matt starts third. When he's this far to the front (pole actually, thanks to Newman's woes), Matty is usually in for a good day.
* Greg Biffle -- Going for the Texas sweep after winning the spring race. Anything less than a top 5 would be a surprise.
* Jimmie Johnson -- Will find a way to finish well, but will it gain him ground on Tony Stewart? (Read on...)
* Mark Martin -- Roush drivers say this is one of their better tracks. I can believe that.
* Carl Edwards -- Current king of the mile-and-a-half ovals after his sweep of Atlanta. This track is considered Atlanta's twin.
* Kasey Kahne -- He was leading the Busch race Saturday when he blew a tire. Something always seems to sabotage his best runs. I'm betting it won't happen for a change on Sunday.
* Ricky Rudd -- Can we sneak Ricky into another top 10?
* Elliott Sadler -- Former Texas winner starts 12th.
ALSO WATCHING: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Like Jeff Gordon, has absolutely nothing to lose by going for broke here)... Tony Stewart (Everybody's got one Achilles heel, and I fear this track may be Tony's. If he has problems it's going to throw the Chase wide open)... Bobby Labonte (Sort of like his home track. Could help him get a good finish)... Kurt Busch (From 18th it is possibile he could get to the front, but his title hopes are toast and the motivation isn't there like it could be.)
