Fantasy Nascar : The Monster Mile : Fantasy Nascar

Part of the fun of the Nascar season seems to be the transition from one track to another. We again leave a larger track (Lowe's at 1.5 miles) to visit a quaint one-miler with the nickname "The Monster Mile."
The driver's spent two weeks in North Carolina, homebase for many of them, and now they are back on the road for race 13 of the 36 race season.
First a few thoughts on the Coca-Cola 600. To be one of the sports "marquee" events, the race was rather dull, if you ask me. Jimmie Johnson has some of the worst luck. For his second week in a row, he had the dominant car. His car lead the pack most of the day, similar to at the Winston. He made leading look easy, as his car easily kept its pace. Then when crunch time rolled around, he missed his pit box. He lost a few seconds, which ultimately left him in 9th place after the pit stop and not enough laps to regain his place in front.
So veteran Mark Martin took over where the rookie had fallen down. He drove as to prove that he is one of the oldies, but goodies of the sport, cutting through lapped traffic and making it look easy to defend his leap. Kenseth couldn't catch him, neither could anyone else. Martin's car in victory lane for the first time in 2 years was a nice site for Martin fans everywhere. The added excitement of a new millionaire because of Martin's win didn't hurt things either.
Now we go north to visit Dover International Speedway. The 1 mile track, which a reputation as a monster, has a 24 degree banking on the curves. It is tight and fast, and often a track where anything can happen.
The following picks are based both on qualifying, standings and gut feelings. From looking at the past six years, this seems to be a track which everyone and no one excels. Many questionable, even no name drivers, have had their name appear in the top 10 during the past 6 races and many of those who always fall near the top, aren't there at all.
My first pick for this race is Bill Elliott. Now, granted, I am a Elliott fan but he does fine when he starts high. He hasn't racked up a win this year, yet, but he has a pole and he has a place in the top 10 in point standings. He races clean, and consistent, and has become a master of staying out of the "big ones" which have claimed many a veteran driver this season. He starts in the second place, and he is a safe bet to stay in the top 10.
Matt Kenseth is on a role this year. He has already secured two wins on the circuit and has been a consistent contender throughout. He only has 2 top 10s in the last 6 races, but starting on the pole and wanting his wins as badly as he does, he is definitely someone to watch. If he can race clean, and stay out of trouble, he is a safe bet.
Many of the "experts" and "nonexperts" for that matter are choosing this as the race in which Jeff Gordon might win again. He hasn't won a race in what seems like a zillion years (to hard-core fans that is) and he wants one. He finally broke his non-top 10 streak a few races back and has been inching back towards a win but he just hasn't driven to one yet. He has placed in the top 10 in 4 of the last 6 races here and I am sure that this track looks just as good as any for his first win in a long time. He starts 9th, which is definitely a respectable place for his.
Ah, and Tony Stewart. He has 6 top 10s in the last six races. He has won two of the last six races. And he has had some of the lousiest luck possible this year. I pick him often, but its because he is good. He seems to have tamed the monster, and I look for him to try to again. The only thing standing in his way is the 24 cars that start before him (he starts 25th) but cars are nothing for Stewart. He has a nice place in the top 10 cup standings, but he has to produce to keep that spot. He has won his two races of the season, but don't kid yourself he wants more. This is a man who races simply because he loves cars and I look for him to end up near the front, if not leading the pack this weekend.
Others to watch this weekend are Dale Earnhardt, Jr and Ricky Rudd. Jr. has placed in the top ten in 3 of the last 6 races at Dover and won the last race at the track. He starts 30th but we have all seen Earnhardt come from the back, many a time. Besides this seems to be the year for winners that come from the tail end of the pack. If his car cooperates, Earnhardt is a man to watch. Ricky Rudd has had a quiet season, but he has a decent record at Dover. He has placed in the top 10 in 4 of the last 6 races at Dover and I look for him to do well this weekend. He starts 7th and may be fun to watch. Rudd is another veteran looking for a place in victory lane this season.
I will post this column each Friday afternoon. The ideas are strictly mine, with a little bit of help from the statistics and some of my racing enthusiast friends. AND I want to know what you think: If you agree, tell me. If you don't, tell me that as well. Drop me at a line at Theracingirl@yahoo.com