Race 9 out of 36
at Talladega SuperSpeedway - 2.66 mile high banked tri-oval - 188 laps for 500 miles
This Week's Schedule: (All times Eastern)
Friday, April 19th
11:00AM - 1:00PM Practice
3:05PM - Qualifying (two laps, all positions)
Saturday, April 20th
9:30AM - 10:15AM First Winston Cup Practice - 45 Minutes
11:15PM - 12:00PM Happy Hour Practice - 45 Minutes
Sunday, April 21st
1:00PM The Aaron's 499
From the slowest track on the circuit to the fastest. This is the second restrictor plate race of this year, and while many fans believe that this race is way to tough to handicap due to all the cars being so close together, it's actually one of the easiest in my opinion. With there only being 4 restrictor plate races a year, some programs really step it up, while others do what they can to compete, finish in one piece and get out of there alive. Cars are totally different, as you have to build cars specifically for these speedways, and a few teams are simply a head above the rest.
With that being said, of course you have to have a lot of luck just like in any other week. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart arguably had the two best cars at Daytona earlier this year, but a blown engine and a blown tire took them out of contention very early, but those are 2 drivers who are definately in two of the top restrictor plate programs.
The early drivers to watch:
1 S. Park - Will include the 1 simply because he is w/ DEI. Hasn't had much previous success at restrictors overall, but did post a 6th place finish in the fall race here last year. Let's see how he looks in practice.
5 T. Labonte - For some reason, the 5 team has run very well here in the last few years. He seems to do well at only a handful of traks, and this is one of them.
6 M. Martin - Well, somehow the 6 car and team is sitting 3rd in the Winston Cup standings. Martin hasn't done anything very impressive so far this year, but he comes to a track that has seen him finish 9th, 4th, 7th, and 6th in the last four races. He should be heard from this week.
8 D. Earnhardt, Jr. - Jr. has quickly taken over the reigns as "Mr. Restrictor" plate. Seems like he has racing at these type of tracks in his blood. Wonder why. The 8 car will be fighting for the win this week.
12 R. Newman - The honeymoon is over for this rookie. The last 3 races have seen this team not finish inside of 40th, but they come to a place that is fast. And Newman likes to go fast. Let's see if he can turn it around.
15 M. Waltrip - If you ever consider betting on the 15 car, this is the week. Hasn't had good finishes here at all recently, but the DEI program is just too good. Waltrip should get a top 10.
17 M. Kenseth - I just can't get over how great a run this team is on right now. They end up in the top 5 at every race, and should be there at the end of this one too. 4th in the fall race here gives them even more confidence.
18 B. Labonte - Since the 18 won their first race at a short track last week, they will probably keep struggling on the tracks they used to dominate at. A great finish this week could mean a run towards the top 5 of the Winston Cup standings.
20 T. Stewart - Had the "BEST" car last week. Hands down. As a matter of fact, the 20 team has had the best car at a lot of tracks this year. Consecutive 2nd place finishes here last year. Could very easily win his 2nd race of the year this week.
22 W. Burton - The Daytona 500 winner hasn't had much to be happy about since then, but they could make some noise this week. Then again, they could run great and get caught up in another wreck too.
24 J. Gordon - Tough break for this team last week. Boohoo. Seriously though, the 24 either wins this race or finishes 30th it seems. Of course, they have all the tools to win here again, but there is simply no value whatsoever with him the way his luck seems to be right now.
28 R. Rudd - That's now 3 solid races in a row for this team. Cannot ignore a Robert Yates car at a restrictor plate track.
29 K. Harvick - Only include Harvick here to comment on "What the hell is this guy thinking?" Commend Nascar on the suspension. That hopefully sent him a message. Good guy, but a real hot head on the track.
33 M. Wallace - Here is #1 surprise guy to keep an eye on this week. This team hasn't run since Rockingham, and if they are running this week, there is a great reason for it. I will have my eye on this longshot all weekend.
40 S. Marlin - Has cooled off a ton recently, and comes to a track that hasn't been all that kind to him. He can't be overlooked however.
41 J. Spencer -Boy is this guy annoying. He just bothers me to no end.......maybe it's his mouth and running the 32 into the wall on 2 separate occasions last week. He can make himself heard from this week.....I just hope not.
48 J. Johnson -Finally a bad finsish for this team last week. Should be back in the top 10 here.
55 B. Hamilton - Last year's winner of this race, and a 5th place finisher here in the fall. It's not a fluke. It's Andy Petree Racing. He should be there again.
88 D. Jarrett - Great gutsy race last week to finish in 4th. Not expecting him to win this week, but like his teammate, we must keep an eye on him.
97 K. Busch - Do not be surprised if this team gets their 2nd win this year. Really has a great shot at it.
99 J. Burton - Pit strategy let him lead some laps last week, but he never really contended for the win unfortunately. Some good finishes here and at Talladega, so we'll include him.
A lot more guys to look at this week, and some with huge prices. And I'm even leaving off a few like #9 Bill Elliott.
One more note. Keep an eye out for the Kenny Wallace car this week. This team has good backing and a lot of help from M. Waltrip and DEI. They are running car #98.
I'll stop talking now. Sorry. In case you haven't noticed, I'm really looking forward to this race.
Any input and opinions?
GLTA
at Talladega SuperSpeedway - 2.66 mile high banked tri-oval - 188 laps for 500 miles
This Week's Schedule: (All times Eastern)
Friday, April 19th
11:00AM - 1:00PM Practice
3:05PM - Qualifying (two laps, all positions)
Saturday, April 20th
9:30AM - 10:15AM First Winston Cup Practice - 45 Minutes
11:15PM - 12:00PM Happy Hour Practice - 45 Minutes
Sunday, April 21st
1:00PM The Aaron's 499
From the slowest track on the circuit to the fastest. This is the second restrictor plate race of this year, and while many fans believe that this race is way to tough to handicap due to all the cars being so close together, it's actually one of the easiest in my opinion. With there only being 4 restrictor plate races a year, some programs really step it up, while others do what they can to compete, finish in one piece and get out of there alive. Cars are totally different, as you have to build cars specifically for these speedways, and a few teams are simply a head above the rest.
With that being said, of course you have to have a lot of luck just like in any other week. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Tony Stewart arguably had the two best cars at Daytona earlier this year, but a blown engine and a blown tire took them out of contention very early, but those are 2 drivers who are definately in two of the top restrictor plate programs.
The early drivers to watch:
1 S. Park - Will include the 1 simply because he is w/ DEI. Hasn't had much previous success at restrictors overall, but did post a 6th place finish in the fall race here last year. Let's see how he looks in practice.
5 T. Labonte - For some reason, the 5 team has run very well here in the last few years. He seems to do well at only a handful of traks, and this is one of them.
6 M. Martin - Well, somehow the 6 car and team is sitting 3rd in the Winston Cup standings. Martin hasn't done anything very impressive so far this year, but he comes to a track that has seen him finish 9th, 4th, 7th, and 6th in the last four races. He should be heard from this week.
8 D. Earnhardt, Jr. - Jr. has quickly taken over the reigns as "Mr. Restrictor" plate. Seems like he has racing at these type of tracks in his blood. Wonder why. The 8 car will be fighting for the win this week.
12 R. Newman - The honeymoon is over for this rookie. The last 3 races have seen this team not finish inside of 40th, but they come to a place that is fast. And Newman likes to go fast. Let's see if he can turn it around.
15 M. Waltrip - If you ever consider betting on the 15 car, this is the week. Hasn't had good finishes here at all recently, but the DEI program is just too good. Waltrip should get a top 10.
17 M. Kenseth - I just can't get over how great a run this team is on right now. They end up in the top 5 at every race, and should be there at the end of this one too. 4th in the fall race here gives them even more confidence.
18 B. Labonte - Since the 18 won their first race at a short track last week, they will probably keep struggling on the tracks they used to dominate at. A great finish this week could mean a run towards the top 5 of the Winston Cup standings.
20 T. Stewart - Had the "BEST" car last week. Hands down. As a matter of fact, the 20 team has had the best car at a lot of tracks this year. Consecutive 2nd place finishes here last year. Could very easily win his 2nd race of the year this week.
22 W. Burton - The Daytona 500 winner hasn't had much to be happy about since then, but they could make some noise this week. Then again, they could run great and get caught up in another wreck too.
24 J. Gordon - Tough break for this team last week. Boohoo. Seriously though, the 24 either wins this race or finishes 30th it seems. Of course, they have all the tools to win here again, but there is simply no value whatsoever with him the way his luck seems to be right now.
28 R. Rudd - That's now 3 solid races in a row for this team. Cannot ignore a Robert Yates car at a restrictor plate track.
29 K. Harvick - Only include Harvick here to comment on "What the hell is this guy thinking?" Commend Nascar on the suspension. That hopefully sent him a message. Good guy, but a real hot head on the track.
33 M. Wallace - Here is #1 surprise guy to keep an eye on this week. This team hasn't run since Rockingham, and if they are running this week, there is a great reason for it. I will have my eye on this longshot all weekend.
40 S. Marlin - Has cooled off a ton recently, and comes to a track that hasn't been all that kind to him. He can't be overlooked however.
41 J. Spencer -Boy is this guy annoying. He just bothers me to no end.......maybe it's his mouth and running the 32 into the wall on 2 separate occasions last week. He can make himself heard from this week.....I just hope not.
48 J. Johnson -Finally a bad finsish for this team last week. Should be back in the top 10 here.
55 B. Hamilton - Last year's winner of this race, and a 5th place finisher here in the fall. It's not a fluke. It's Andy Petree Racing. He should be there again.
88 D. Jarrett - Great gutsy race last week to finish in 4th. Not expecting him to win this week, but like his teammate, we must keep an eye on him.
97 K. Busch - Do not be surprised if this team gets their 2nd win this year. Really has a great shot at it.
99 J. Burton - Pit strategy let him lead some laps last week, but he never really contended for the win unfortunately. Some good finishes here and at Talladega, so we'll include him.
A lot more guys to look at this week, and some with huge prices. And I'm even leaving off a few like #9 Bill Elliott.
One more note. Keep an eye out for the Kenny Wallace car this week. This team has good backing and a lot of help from M. Waltrip and DEI. They are running car #98.
I'll stop talking now. Sorry. In case you haven't noticed, I'm really looking forward to this race.
Any input and opinions?
GLTA
