Chaser stats, Texas Motor Speedway preview and my pick
Here's a look at the Chasers going into the race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway (stats provided by NASCAR):
1 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) 6248 points, 2008 Rundown:
Six wins, 14 top fives, 21 top 10s
Average finish of 10.5
Led 27 races for 1,736 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 107.9
One win, five top fives, eight top 10s
Average finish of 8.5
Finished second in April
2 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) 6065 points, 2008 Rundown:
Seven wins, 16 top fives, 24 top 10s
Average finish of 10.2
Led 19 races for 913 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 96.0
Two wins
Average finish of 15.7
Won the Texas race in April
3 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford) 6063 points, 2008 Rundown:
Two wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s
Average finish of 13.0
Led 18 races for 456 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 88.8
One win, two top 10s
Average finish of 26.1
Finished 39th in April
4 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) 6030 points, 2008 Rundown:
Two wins, seven top fives, 17 top 10s
Average finish of 11.7
Led 11 races for 140 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 84.7
Two wins, three top fives, seven tops 10s
Average finish of 16.2
Finished sixth in April
5 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet) 5941 points, 2008 Rundown:
Six top fives, 16 top 10s
Average finish of 13.0
Led seven races for 191 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 84.6
Two top fives, four top 10s
Average finish of 13.4
Finished 11th in April
6 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) 5936 points, 2008 Rundown:
11 top fives, 17 top 10s
Average finish of 14.4
Led 18 races for 416 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 85.1
Five top fives, seven top 10s
Average finish of 17.1
Finished 43rd in April
7 - Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet) 5934 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, five top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 14.7
Led five races for 152 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 85.0
One top five, two top 10s
Average finish of 13.8
Finished 10th in April
8 - Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota) 5847 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 14.8
Led 14 races for 622 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 107.9
One win, three top fives, eight top 10s
Average finish of 13.0
Finished seventh in April
9 - Matt Kenseth (No. 14 DEWALT Ford) 5835 points, 2008 Rundown:
Nine top fives, 19 top 10s
Average finish of 16.5
Led 18 races for 531 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 104.9
One win, five top fives, seven top 10s
Average finish of 10.2
Finished ninth in April
10 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) 5829 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 13.3
Led 21 races for 895 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 98.1
One win, three top fives, seven top 10s; two poles
Average finish of 12.8
Finished 12th in April
11 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) 5823 points, 2008 Rundown:
One win, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s
Average finish of 15.7
Led 15 races for 766 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 101.9
Two top fives, five top 10s
Average finish of 10.7
Finished fifth in April
12 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota) 5783 points, 2008 Rundown:
Eight wins, 17 top fives, 19 top 10s
Average finish of 12.6
Led 23 races for 1,671 laps
Texas Motor Speedway Outlook:
Driver Rating of 93.2
Three top fives
Average finish of 17.7
Finished third in April
Here's the NASCAR Newscast: Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Race 8 Preview:
Qualifying for the Dickies 500 is set for 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. It doesn't appear that weather will be an issue today. Thank God!!!
Who am I picking to win? Hhhmm.... well, four drivers have competed in all 15 Texas races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin. Of those four drivers, one has won here twice. Jeff Burton.
I think Burton will get his third victory here this weekend.
I think my guy, Carl, will win. Let's hope Johnson doesn't have luck again by winning the pole and the best spot on Pit Road. I am watching this race with hope that Carl can gain on Johnson. What does everyone else think??
Jenn.... I don't necessarily think because a driver has scored a win at a certain track, that he should be favored for a win in 2008. Sorry. That is the way I feel. Good luck with your pick.
From Jen: Well I think you're wrong. You're entitled to your pick. I'm entitled to mine. I just give reasons why I pick who I pick. I don't pick based on "liking" a certain driver. I consider their history at a track. Good luck with your pick as well.
Posted by MsBoogity October 31, 2008 10:32 AM
Jenn: I don't pick because I like a driver, either. If you check my predictions (the best record for this blog) you will note that some of my picks are drivers I don't like. I just don't take a lot of stock in technical or history based predictions. I think one has to take everything into consideration, with the top 12, and go from there. I rely on my gut. Might sound corny, but it has been there for me more than anyone else on this blog. Thank you for hosting this blog.
Posted by MsBoogity October 31, 2008 12:52 PM
I'm going to pick Biffle because his nickname (the Biff) was the guy in Back to the Future and that movie was cool.
Ms Boogity your last couple picks has been the best drivers out there! You must have great "gut feelings" Do you care to share any Megabucks numbers as well??
Did you Halloween costume come with a broom?
I am going with Biffle as well. I think he's hungry.
Darrel Waltrip: I use my broom year round. Sorry you don't like my gut. Who the heck would be stupid enough to bet on someone who can't win? Your post doesn't make sense. Let us all know when you have predicted the winner this season.
Posted by MsBoogity November 1, 2008 05:33 AM
You are too funny, DW. That would be Kyle B, not Kyle P as my pick. I guess I forgot there was another Kyle in the race. Imagine that.
.
Petty won't cut his hair because when he is done living out his fantasy life as a race car driver, he will start the new one as a country and western singer.
Glad to finally see a week with qualifying. I have been waiting to see Keselowski in a Cup race.
Tony SStewart?????(written sheepishly and with a shrug.
Posted by Jacko November 2, 2008 01:42 AM
Rowdy will win Sunday, but I am rooting for Carl.
Posted by MsBoogity November 2, 2008 05:41 AM
21 wins in all 3 series this year for Kyle Busch as of yesterday. If he stays 11th or 12th in the Cup points, he will barely get any recognition at the awards banquet. That's just wrong.
Duane Cross on Nascar.com had a good idea. In the Chase, each driver gets 1 point for each place he finishes; 43 for 1st,42 for 2nd, etc.and no extra points for leading laps, winning races or anything else.This would keep good drivers from being so badly penalized if they had a bad race and it would include everyone, not just 12.
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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