First off, a little order of business.
Through CHARLOTTE
ODDS TO WIN:
Winston Cup/Week: 1-9 +56.5 units
Overall Year: 4-37 +60 units
MATCHUPS:
Winston Cup/Week: 3-3 -0.9
Overall Year: 23-18 +27.32 units
Total for the week: +55.60 units
Yearly Combined: +87.32 Units
Now let's get to this week's race.
Race 13 out of 36
at Dover International Speeday - 1 mile Oval - 400 laps for 400 miles
This Week's Schedule: (All times Eastern)
Friday, May 31st
10:05 a.m. Winston Cup 1st Practice
1:35 p.m. Winston Cup Bud Pole Qualifying
Saturday, June 1st
9:30 a.m. Winston Cup 2nd Practice
11:15 a.m. Winston Cup Happy Hour Practice
Sunday, June 2nd
1 p.m. Start of the MBNA Platinum 400
NOTE:
This is a full weekend at Dover with both the Trucks and Busch series racing as well, so will all those practice sessions and qualifying, the times above may change.
It's time to head to "The Monster Mile", where I will be hard pressed to repeat last week's success. There are basically only 5 drivers/teams that should win this upcoming race meaning that value won't be easy to find. I will most likely be quite cautious, as this track can be very dangerous in terms of tight racing conditions and probably the toughest pit road entrance in the circuit. Nevertheless, let's take a look at the contenders, and you'll notice that I included a few guys that rarely get a mention.
The early drivers to watch:
2 R. Wallace -
It's not Pocono yet Rusty. Keep waiting.
6 M. Martin -
After last week's tremendous effort, it won't be easy to win another so soon. However, Martin has had great success here, and should be an easy top 10. Seen 12-1 out there, so I'm really debating this one.
8 D. Earnhardt, Jr. -
Another really tough race for Dale, Jr. Even though he's as up and down as they come and quite difficult to gauge, I'm not going out on a limb by saying that this should be an "up" week. A serious threat to win this race, but odds in the range of 5-7 to 1, it seems too risky to include him with all the bad luck that surrounds him at this time.
10 J. Nadeau -
Very rarely do I spend any time talking about this team or driver, however, there are some things to look at this week. Nadeau, still subbing for the injured Johnny Benson, had a very nice 2nd place run in the 25 car in last year's fall race. That combined with a nice run this 10 team threw up in the fall race of 2000, and I'll take a look at 'em. We are talking nothing less than 50-1 here, but I'll be watching this team.
12 R. Newman -
Everyone pretty much knew it would happen, and it did. I don't know if it's Ryan abusing these engines so much, but this is pretty ridiculous. Then again, Mayfield blew up a lot also. Hey Roger.....nice win at Indy, but can you help out a little more in the engine department of your 12 team please? I would be very surprised to see this car in the top 10 at the end of the day, however, he will (again!) be a threat for the pole.
17 M. Kenseth -
Same 'ole for this team........consistency and more consistency. Kenseth had a great start to his career at Dover, but he took a step back last year with finishes of 29th and 16th. He's one of my top 5 guys to win this race, as 2002 is obvioulsy very different than 2001 for this entire team. BTW, this pit crew is responsible for at least 70% of this team's success this year. Those guys are just unreal.
18 B. Labonte -
More problems for this team last week. Luckily, I wagered him against a team (88) that is having more problems than he is right now. Labonte used to be a lock top 5 at Dover, but it's not easy to back this team right now. 15-1 is interesting and demands a look, but we'll have to see. 20-1 and he's a bet.
20 T. Stewart -
Here is "Mr. Dover Downs". He has absolutely owned this track like no other since he hit Winston Cup in 1999. He'll be tough to leave out even at 9-2 or 5-1 odds.
24 J. Gordon -
Is this the week? Is it? Okay...let me play the recording: "Gordon and his team are too good not to win a race soon. He's had great success at (insert track here), so don't be surprised to finally see him in victory lane again." Copy and paste that for next week's write-up. This team is among the 5 that can win however.
25 J. Nemechek -
"Front Row" Joe interests me the most out of any longshot/total darkhorse candidate. Three staight top 10 finsished in the 33 car at Dover. This team is in disarray however, so it's another one of those 40-1 or nothing guys.
28 R. Rudd -
Here is my pick for this race. Hands down, he offers the best value out there. After I'm finished with this write-up, I will play him. He will qualify in the top 10, so I'll take the price now. He combines solid finishes at Dover with great form, so he will win a race very soon. This is as good a track as any for him to win at.
32 R. Craven -
Another guy out there we have to look at price wise. This team is running much better this year than they have in a long time, and Craven kind of likes these types of tracks. 40-1 would be very interesting.
40 S. Marlin -
Sterling came out of nowhere last year to post finishes of 8th and 6th at Dover. I see him continuing what he is doing right now, and being happy with his top 10.
48 J. Johnson -
Wow! What a car this kid had last week! But that's what a little mistake at this level can cost you. I honestly have no idea what Jimmy and this team can accomplish here. His Busch finishes were mediocre (as his Busch career was overall), so there is no indication there. Any finish, whether it be a top 5 or top 30, will not surprise me.
88 D. Jarrett -
More problems last week for the 88 team. They worked their way up to 12th at one point with a car that Parrott said was changed every way possible during the race. A lot of great finishes at Dover for Jarrett, but with all these chassis issues they are having, I just can't include him unless I hear/read something positive.
97 K. Busch -
One more great run by this kid last week, but he comes to a track that ate him up last year. I don't expect him to contend for the win, but I do expect him to drasctically improve on this 41st and 39th place finishes in 2000.
99 J. Burton -
I was way off on this team/car last week. A complete no show. This team now heads to a track that has given them a lot of problems over the last 4 races. I just don't see that improving this week.
Wrapping up, it's all about the 28 and the 20 for me, along with possibly including some value longshots.
Any input and opinions?
GLTA
Through CHARLOTTE
ODDS TO WIN:
Winston Cup/Week: 1-9 +56.5 units
Overall Year: 4-37 +60 units
MATCHUPS:
Winston Cup/Week: 3-3 -0.9
Overall Year: 23-18 +27.32 units
Total for the week: +55.60 units
Yearly Combined: +87.32 Units
Now let's get to this week's race.
Race 13 out of 36
at Dover International Speeday - 1 mile Oval - 400 laps for 400 miles
This Week's Schedule: (All times Eastern)
Friday, May 31st
10:05 a.m. Winston Cup 1st Practice
1:35 p.m. Winston Cup Bud Pole Qualifying
Saturday, June 1st
9:30 a.m. Winston Cup 2nd Practice
11:15 a.m. Winston Cup Happy Hour Practice
Sunday, June 2nd
1 p.m. Start of the MBNA Platinum 400
NOTE:
This is a full weekend at Dover with both the Trucks and Busch series racing as well, so will all those practice sessions and qualifying, the times above may change.
It's time to head to "The Monster Mile", where I will be hard pressed to repeat last week's success. There are basically only 5 drivers/teams that should win this upcoming race meaning that value won't be easy to find. I will most likely be quite cautious, as this track can be very dangerous in terms of tight racing conditions and probably the toughest pit road entrance in the circuit. Nevertheless, let's take a look at the contenders, and you'll notice that I included a few guys that rarely get a mention.
The early drivers to watch:
2 R. Wallace -
It's not Pocono yet Rusty. Keep waiting.
6 M. Martin -
After last week's tremendous effort, it won't be easy to win another so soon. However, Martin has had great success here, and should be an easy top 10. Seen 12-1 out there, so I'm really debating this one.
8 D. Earnhardt, Jr. -
Another really tough race for Dale, Jr. Even though he's as up and down as they come and quite difficult to gauge, I'm not going out on a limb by saying that this should be an "up" week. A serious threat to win this race, but odds in the range of 5-7 to 1, it seems too risky to include him with all the bad luck that surrounds him at this time.
10 J. Nadeau -
Very rarely do I spend any time talking about this team or driver, however, there are some things to look at this week. Nadeau, still subbing for the injured Johnny Benson, had a very nice 2nd place run in the 25 car in last year's fall race. That combined with a nice run this 10 team threw up in the fall race of 2000, and I'll take a look at 'em. We are talking nothing less than 50-1 here, but I'll be watching this team.
12 R. Newman -
Everyone pretty much knew it would happen, and it did. I don't know if it's Ryan abusing these engines so much, but this is pretty ridiculous. Then again, Mayfield blew up a lot also. Hey Roger.....nice win at Indy, but can you help out a little more in the engine department of your 12 team please? I would be very surprised to see this car in the top 10 at the end of the day, however, he will (again!) be a threat for the pole.
17 M. Kenseth -
Same 'ole for this team........consistency and more consistency. Kenseth had a great start to his career at Dover, but he took a step back last year with finishes of 29th and 16th. He's one of my top 5 guys to win this race, as 2002 is obvioulsy very different than 2001 for this entire team. BTW, this pit crew is responsible for at least 70% of this team's success this year. Those guys are just unreal.
18 B. Labonte -
More problems for this team last week. Luckily, I wagered him against a team (88) that is having more problems than he is right now. Labonte used to be a lock top 5 at Dover, but it's not easy to back this team right now. 15-1 is interesting and demands a look, but we'll have to see. 20-1 and he's a bet.
20 T. Stewart -
Here is "Mr. Dover Downs". He has absolutely owned this track like no other since he hit Winston Cup in 1999. He'll be tough to leave out even at 9-2 or 5-1 odds.
24 J. Gordon -
Is this the week? Is it? Okay...let me play the recording: "Gordon and his team are too good not to win a race soon. He's had great success at (insert track here), so don't be surprised to finally see him in victory lane again." Copy and paste that for next week's write-up. This team is among the 5 that can win however.
25 J. Nemechek -
"Front Row" Joe interests me the most out of any longshot/total darkhorse candidate. Three staight top 10 finsished in the 33 car at Dover. This team is in disarray however, so it's another one of those 40-1 or nothing guys.
28 R. Rudd -
Here is my pick for this race. Hands down, he offers the best value out there. After I'm finished with this write-up, I will play him. He will qualify in the top 10, so I'll take the price now. He combines solid finishes at Dover with great form, so he will win a race very soon. This is as good a track as any for him to win at.
32 R. Craven -
Another guy out there we have to look at price wise. This team is running much better this year than they have in a long time, and Craven kind of likes these types of tracks. 40-1 would be very interesting.
40 S. Marlin -
Sterling came out of nowhere last year to post finishes of 8th and 6th at Dover. I see him continuing what he is doing right now, and being happy with his top 10.
48 J. Johnson -
Wow! What a car this kid had last week! But that's what a little mistake at this level can cost you. I honestly have no idea what Jimmy and this team can accomplish here. His Busch finishes were mediocre (as his Busch career was overall), so there is no indication there. Any finish, whether it be a top 5 or top 30, will not surprise me.
88 D. Jarrett -
More problems last week for the 88 team. They worked their way up to 12th at one point with a car that Parrott said was changed every way possible during the race. A lot of great finishes at Dover for Jarrett, but with all these chassis issues they are having, I just can't include him unless I hear/read something positive.
97 K. Busch -
One more great run by this kid last week, but he comes to a track that ate him up last year. I don't expect him to contend for the win, but I do expect him to drasctically improve on this 41st and 39th place finishes in 2000.
99 J. Burton -
I was way off on this team/car last week. A complete no show. This team now heads to a track that has given them a lot of problems over the last 4 races. I just don't see that improving this week.
Wrapping up, it's all about the 28 and the 20 for me, along with possibly including some value longshots.
Any input and opinions?
GLTA
