Fantasy Nascar

Crown Royal 400 Preview

            ¼ of the way through the year and Silly Season has erupted with Tony Stewart announcing that he isn’t sure if he will resign with Joe Gibbs Racing when his contract is up after next season. Talk is of Tony wanting part ownership in the team that he drives for but I believe that this is only a small portion of what Tony wants. What he really wants is to drive a Chevrolet because driving a Toyota conflicts with Tony Stewart Racing, which is all Chevrolet. I am 99% sure Tony will be driving for a team with Chevrolet’s and, if he can get out of his contract, which will be very tough, it could be as soon as season. Home Depot will follow him to his new team also.

            This week we head to Richmond for another Saturday night race and another victory for Kyle Busch. Kyle has never won at Richmond but has 5 top 5 finishes in 6 starts here including 2 runner-up finishes.

            Tony Stewart will give his teammate, Kyle Busch, a run for his money though as he has 3 wins at Richmond and finished 2^nd here last fall. Let’s not forget the last Gibbs Racing driver, Denny Hamlin, who excels on these short flat tracks. Denny has 3 top 6 finishes in 4 starts at Richmond and a Gibbs driver has come in 2^nd in the last 4 Richmond races.

            Dale Earnhardt Jr. has 3 wins here also and was either good or mediocre while he was at DEI. Now that he is with Hendrick this season he has regained his form on the short, flat tracks and will be a factor once again this weekend. Junior loves to race at night too.

            Jimmie Johnson swept the races here last season but has only 3 top 10 finishes in 12 starts at this track. Jimmie is getting better every week and should come home with a top 10 if not a top 5 once again this weekend.

            Jeff Gordon has finished 4^th in the last 2 races at Richmond but didn’t finish better than 31^st in the 4 races before that here. Both Jeff and Jimmie struggle at this track unless their car comes off the truck and is fast right away. Watch how these 2 cars do during the first practice this week and make your decision based on that.

            Jeff Burton still leads the point standings but has really struggled at Richmond lately with only 1 top 10 finish in his last 8 starts. This is the weekend that Kyle Busch takes over the points lead from Burton.

            Kevin Harvick on the other hand is in the midst of 6 straight top 10 finishes including a win at Richmond. This is another guy that could come out at the head of the pack if everything goes right in the pits and the cautions fall at the right time this weekend.

            Clint Bowyer is quietly sitting in 7^th in the standings and has done rather well during his short career at Richmond. In 4 races here his worst finish is 12^th while his best finish is 9^th. That is what I call consistency.

            Yahoo Picks for Richmond

            Group A

            Tony Stewart (starter)

            Denny Hamlin

            Group B

            Kyle Busch (starter)

            David Ragan (starter)

            Ryan Newman

            Kasey Kahne

            Group C

            Johnny Sauter (starter) must qualify

            David Reutimann

            Top 5 Overall at Richmond

1.      Kyle Busch

2.      Tony Stewart

3.      Kevin Harvick

4.      Denny Hamlin

5.      Jimmie Johnson

            Dark Horse: David Ragan

            Stay Away From: Jeff Burton

            As always you can email me with any questions, comments or suggestions at gutsamaniac@hotmail.com. Good luck once again this weekend and remember that it is a Saturday night race!