Preview: Food City 500

Here we are, time again to return to Thunder Valley. Bristol Motor Speedway, the world's fastest half-mile. This eastern Tenn. track that always gets the fans riled up and ready to go. The next off week won't be for some time, but regardless, this is where the season really gets revved up. This year's Food City 500 brings to us many unusual situations, mainly I'm referencing the top 35, people being in danger: Mark Martin and Ryan Newman to name just two. However, this is NASCAR and I want to focus on the [potential] winners, here are my predictions for this weekend's race.

1. #2 - Kurt Busch : After winning 2 weeks ago in Atlanta, there is no reason for him to not try that backwards victory lap again. Kurt has had great success at Bristol with 5 wins. Keep an eye on the blue deuce this Sunday.
2. #29 - Kevin Harvick : Statistically Harvick may not be the lock-in choice for the 2nd spot, but with RCR's performance in this race last year coupled with the way the 29 Shell/Pennzoil team has been running, watch out for Harvick to be there at the end.
3. #33 - Clint Bowyer : It's the power of teammates again, Clint Bowyer should be on the heels of Harvick most of the weekend, the numbers in their Nationwide starts show them to be nearly equal. With the added power of Shane Wilson instead of Gil Martin, Bowyer should be a force at many more tracks this season.
4. #11 - Denny Hamlin : Hamlin has always been good at short tracks, honestly, he should of won this event last year, but due to a faulty oil pump, it left him wanting more with only a few laps left and a late-race restart.
5. #24 - Jeff Gordon : He's back, I wanted to pick him for the win, but I just don't think this is the track for Jeff to snap his losing streak. I'd really like to put him higher. Call it a hunch.
6. #1 - Martin Truex, Jr : He's the leading man at Earnhardt/Gannassi, he's been good here in the past, I just call into question the equipment. Regardless, I think Truex really has a chance to start turning the Bass Pro Shops team to the right direction.
7. #31 - Jeff Burton : He's not typically an aggressive guy that you would think of for Bristol, but the RCR stable has been great a short tracks lately and there is no reason for Burton to finish outside the top-10 (except that anything can happen at Bristol).
8. #18 - Kyle Busch : If he has any chance of winning the championship he should probably start doing that winning thing again, compared to last year, he's sort of behind. No, but seriously, The Brothers Busch are an excellent duo at Bristol. I think Kyle Should be strong, but others may be stronger.
9. #88 - Dale Earnhardt, Jr. : This could be a good weekend for the 88 Amp crew. The thing that they need to concentrate on is working together, he doesn't need Tony Jr. getting riled up at him when tempers are already on edge at this half-mile speedway.
10. #5 - Mark Martin : Martin has always been a producer; he knows when it's time to go and if he doesn't go this weekend, he may be on the outside, looking in to the top 35. He's done great here before, he's also tried to go to victory lane a lap early here. Watch out, Mark just might be back.

Dark Horses

• #42 Juan Montoya - This track suits his style, if he can keep his temper under control , he just may be up there challenging by the end of the day.
• #6 David Ragan - This one is also pretty much a hunch. I really think he has a chance to do well here; the UPS Ford Team will end up in victory lane by season's end. Bristol could be that place.
• #14 Tony Stewart - Stewart can run well at Bristol, he too could have easily won this even last spring if it weren't for those meddling oil pumps. Stewart could very well challenge for at least a top-ten. This is an example of another team looking to turn it around.

Pole Qualifier: #24 Jeff Gordon
Lap Leader: #11 Denny Hamlin

Enjoy "racin' the way it oughtta' be". Next week, after the lock of the top 35, I will revamp my predictions for the final points standings. They shouldn't change much. Enjoy the races!
-DT