Chaser stats, Atlanta Motor Speedway preview and my pick
Here's a look at the Chasers going into the race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway (stats provided by NASCAR):
1 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) 6073 points, 2008 Rundown:
Six wins, 13 top fives, 20 top 10s
Average finish of 10.8
Led 26 races for 1,708 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 113.4
Three wins, eight top fives, nine top 10s
Average finish of 9.6
Finished 13th in March
2 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford) 5924 points, 2008 Rundown:
Two wins, 11 top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 13.1
Led 17 races for 455 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 102.3
Three top fives, six top 10s; one pole
Average finish of 14.8
Finished fourth in March
3 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) 5921 points, 2008 Rundown:
Two wins, seven top fives, 17 top 10s
Average finish of 11.5
Led 11 races for 140 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 92.8
Seven top fives, 13 tops 10s
Average finish of 16.5
Finished 10th in March
4 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) 5875 points, 2008 Rundown:
Six wins, 15 top fives, 23 top 10s
Average finish of 10.5
Led 18 races for 815 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 102.8
Two wins, four top fives, six top 10s
Average finish of 12.9
Finished 42nd in March
5 - Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet) 5831 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, five top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 14.5
Led five races for 152 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 89.4
Three top 10s
Average finish of 14.0
Finished sixth in March
6 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) 5817 points, 2008 Rundown:
Six top fives, 16 top 10s
Average finish of 13.0
Led seven races for 191 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 74.5
One win, two top fives, three top 10s
Average finish of 23.3
Finished seventh in March
7 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) 5798 points, 2008 Rundown:
11 top fives, 16 top 10s
Average finish of 14.6
Led 18 races for 416 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 96.6
Four wins, 13 top fives, 20 top 10s; two poles
Average finish of 12.8
Finished fifth in March
8 - Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota) 5735 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 14.8
Led 14 races for 622 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 104.4
Two wins, eight top fives, 12 top 10s
Average finish of 12.0
Finished second in March
9 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) 5694 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 13.4
Led 20 races for 894 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 103.6
One win, eight top fives, 10 top 10s
Average finish of 11.7
Finished third in March
10 - Matt Kenseth (No. 14 DEWALT Ford) 5665 points, 2008 Rundown:
Eight top fives, 18 top 10s
Average finish of 16.8
Led 17 races for 403 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 94.1
Six top fives, 10 top 10s
Average finish of 14.5
Finished eighth in March
11 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) 5653 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s
Average finish of 16.1
Led 14 races for 710 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 83.5
One top 10
Average finish of 19.3
Finished 15th in March
12 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota) 5628 points, 2008 Rundown:
Eight wins, 16 top fives, 18 top 10s
Average finish of 12.8
Led 23 races for 1,671 laps
Atlanta Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 88.5
One win
Average finish of 19.9
Won March's Atlanta race
Here's the NASCAR Newscast: Chase for the Sprint Cup, Race 7 Preview:
Qualifying for the Pep Boys Auto 500 is scheduled for tonight at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
I am going with Kyle Busch for the win this weekend. I can't imagine that his bad luck will continue. Plus, he was the winner here in March. I think this is his turnaround week in the CHASE.
Who the heck cares about who blows a tire first. Let's hope there is not a tire problem. So many bloggers on this website try to show their NASCAR technical info, when in reality it all comes down to who has the best car and the best driver and the best luck that particular day. Money and reputation rules. So, that being said, I will pick Jimmy Johnson again, even though he is not favored by me.
Posted by MsBoogity October 24, 2008 12:10 PM
Ms.Boogity, you forgot to tell us who's you pick for the first blown Goodyear.
Come on, MsBoogity, Atlanta's track surface is abrasive and Goodyear or the COT has a problem with the tires. There WILL be exploding tires. Where's your sense of humor? Pick a number. We might as well have a little fun with this race in case it's the same old winner.
MsBoogity, good pick. All the technical info at the top of the page says so.
justhavingfun
justracethecar
Posted by justracethecar October 24, 2008 01:01 PM
Come on ,Jen,who do you think will get the Goodyear award?
I was actually think of picking your favorite, MsBoogity, Carl Edwards to win. If anyone else will flat out race this week it could be him, but I'm sticking with Kyle because I just like him more.
From Jen: Hey, hey... I picked the driver who would blow a tire first....Sam Hornish Jr. I posted it in reply to DW above.
OK. You're right. We should have some fun. I say the first blown tire will be Smoke's. I know, racefan, you hate me for saying that. I always go with my gut and that is what it is telling me. I just watched my guy, Carl, on Speed. Gee, he's cute. And that's coming from an old lady!
Maybe I have too much faith in people's intelligence, but I don't think Carl would be foolish to jeopardize everything he has worked for. At least not continue, now that he has been accused of steroids. I wonder what other drivers are using or will be accused of the same thing. He won the Nationwide yesterday and I hope he wins today, but I predicted Johnson would win again, so I have to go with that.
Posted by MsBoogity October 26, 2008 06:03 AM
I have to go with Smoke winning and pray that Jimmy Johnson blows a tire or burns an engine.
Jennifer is the newsroom
administrative assistant and
executive
assistant to the editor for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. She is married, lives in Pownal with her husband and son, and has been following NASCAR for many years.
About this blog:
I am hopeful that this will be a place where people can air their two cents' worth about a race, catch up on the gossip and share their opinions on the rules and regulations of NASCAR. I have always felt that there has been a need for such a place in Maine and that this blog helps to fill the void.
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