Full Race WRITE-UP
Full Race WRITE-UP
Race 12 out of 36
at Lowes Motor Speeday (Charlotte, NC.) - 1.5 mile Quad oval - 400 laps for 600 miles
This Week's Schedule: (All times Eastern)
Thursday, May 23rd
3:00PM - 5:00PM First Practice
7:00PM - Qualifying (two laps, all positions)
Saturday, May 25th
9:30AM - 10:15AM Second Practice
11:15PM - 12:00PM Final Practice "Happy Hour" -
Sunday, May 26th
5:30PM Start of The Coca-Cola Family 600
Well, it's been almost a month since our last Winston Cup points race, and there is no better place than to get the long summer racing months started than at Charlotte. This is the only 600 mile race on the circuit and 400 laps will most likely put the "one engine" rule to the ultimate test. Going into it, we have to look at teams that are not only running very well, but have a good reliability record so far this year. Let's take a look at a bunch of possible contenders.
The early drivers to watch:
2 R. Wallace -
Rusty's record at Charlotte over the past 6 races has been mediocre at best, with finishes of 7th, 14th, 21st, 8th, 8th and 31st. He is still in contention for the title, but really hasn't been there at the end contending for many wins. I don't see this being the race that changes that. Let's wait for Pocono.
6 M. Martin -
Now this is a guy who has made Charlotte is personal playground recently. Even during his miserable year last year, Martin still managed finishes of 9th and 4th and has an amazing 8 top 5 finishes here in his last ten starts. I've bet him to win, and will have him in matchups as well. Let's hope he got his mechanical problems out of the way last week.
8 D. Earnhardt, Jr. -
Well, we all saw what happend last week as Jr. was poised to make his father proud. Whether it was because Newman saved the car after Jr. bumped him or whether it was Jr. just letting off instead of spinning him out, we know that the 8 car will be there again battling for the win. His odds are far from attractive however, so it's doubtful that I will play him to win it.
9 B. Elliott -
While I don't think "Awesome Bill" will win this race, I'm including him here for qualifying purposes. He should be a threat for the pole, as he has gotten both his poles this year at Atlanta and at Texas. He's also qualified 3rd and 4th in the last 2 Coca-Cola 600's. Go get 'em Bill!
12 R. Newman -
Well, we learned that last year wasn't a fluke for Newman at Charlotte. He likes this track a lot, and it will all come down to whether the car can last 600 miles. Last year, after winning the pole, the car lasted 11 laps and this year, the 12 team has had a tremendous amount of reliabiltiy issues. If you didn't get on him early, or wait until after qualifying, he will be completely out of value.
17 M. Kenseth -
Here's a guy returning to the track and the race that gave him his first Winston Cup victory back in 2000. He's second in points, and has been nothing but impressive at almost every track this year. He will be there at the end of this one and will be in my win set. Just have to hope he continues his mediocre/poor qualifying runs here so that +1500 or higher can be available.
18 B. Labonte -
The 1.5 mile speedways that Labonte used to chew up and spit out have not been kind to him so far in 2002. You cannot overlook him here, but the question of reliability is huge with this team. I would normally be all over the 18 car, but will not likely include him unless I can find +1800 or higher. Just too unpredictable this year.
19 J. Mayfield -
This 19 car could be the "wild car" this weekend. I'm right on the fence with this team, knowing that Mayfield had some pretty decent success here with his previous employer. He's a car that I will have to look long and hard if he is consitently up there on the practice sheets.
20 T. Stewart -
Tony should be favored to win this race, and he is. Just really hoping for a 25th or higher qualifying in order to perhaps get his odds up to +1000. I mean what more do you need that finishes of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th the last four races? There is one number left in that sequence race fans.
22 W. Burton -
Here's a guy that really hasn't been heard from in quite a while. His finishes at this track cannot be overlooked, and he comes with some nice value. It's another case of seeing how he looks in race trim, but he's another one that could surprise.
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.
28 R. Rudd -
Well, the momentum this team had gained was quickly eliminated at Richmond 3 weeks ago. But again, he was up front and would have easily challenge for that win. This is a team that will win a race in the next month. Must keep an eye on him.
29 K. Harvick -
Including "Happy" here because for some reason, I think I'm somewhat worried that he might put a race together. It will take a lot for me to wager on him, but he does have me worried.
40 S. Marlin -
Even though Sterling won the fall race here last year, he has historically not had very impressive finishes at Charlotte. He lost the car he was going to race after wrecking it in the Winston, so it's tough to figure out what this team is going to do. Okay. I'll go out on a limb. The 40 will come from 25th back or further, lead a lap at some point, and finish his day in 8th.
41 J. Spencer -
Spencer has been better than average here, and had great qualifying and race runs here in 2001, albeit in the 26 garage. Let's see how he looks in practice. He may surprise.
48 J. Johnson -
"Either him or Newman will win a race in the next 4 I believe....current form suggests this team." That was the write-up given to this team before the California race. He won that one, so let's change it to say the following: "Either Newman will win his first race, or Johnson will win his 2nd......Current form does suggest this team." Seriously though, how good did he look last week? With no breakdowns, this rookie can easily do it again, and this time seal the deal with the checkers. BTW.....this is another guy that must be bet early, as his qualifying runs lead me to believe he will be in the top 10 or even the top 5 at the start of this race.
49 R. Hornaday -
Since this veteran took over for Shawna, we must include him as his experience and knowhow will undoubtebly lead to a win for this team very soon. LOL! Okay......just checking to see if anyone actually reads any of this.
88 D. Jarrett -
This team look horrible unloading off the truck last week. Has been up and down here the last 4 races, so he's another one that has me confused. I like the momentum they had gained prior to Richmond, but ever since that race and last week's performance, I'm not sure he will contend for this 600 mile race. However, if anyone can make mid-race adjustments, (which are crucial here due to the day/night racing conditions), Todd Parrott and his crew can. I'll see/hear what they have to say about their car.
97 K. Busch -
I'm really still in shock at how good this team and car have been this year. Busch is a very talented driver, and I loved how he spun out the 31 last week because he (and I) needed a caution. That was great. This kid will end up in the top 10 for sure. With good stops and some luck, he could easily take the checkers.
99 J. Burton -
Okay.....so basically, I REALLY like all the Roush cars this week. This team turned their horrid season around at this race last year, and basically used last week as a full fledged test session. A strong contender to win this race.
Sorry, about the length of this, but hey......It's been 3 weeks you know? Can you tell I'm antsy?
Anyhow, as I did in California, and as I've mentioned before, I will be on the Jack Roush crew this week. I've already locked in the 6 car, the 12 and the 48, and will probably round out the win set with either the 20 or 8 depending on the price of course. But of course, that's still preliminary.
Any input and opinions?
GLTA
