2006 Bass Pro Shops 500:
This weekend the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup stars take on the fast quad-oval of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne won here in the spring but Roush Racing drivers have dominated here recently. All eyes are on the Chase For The Cup drivers and their great points battle.
Who will walk away from Atlanta with the 2006 Bass Pro Shops 500 victory?
Tickets:
Speedway ticket office (770) 946-4211
Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)
The Track:
Atlanta Motor Speedway is l.54 mile quad-oval with 24 degrees of banking in the turns. Because the cars don't use the speed-sapping restrictor plates here the average speeds in Atlanta are even faster than the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega. This is a very fast race track that has a history of truly great racing.
Race Distance:
325 Laps = 500 Miles
The Big Picture:
Jeff Burton's motor trouble in Martinsville has significantly tightened the point battle. Burton finished 42nd last week and fell from the lead all the way to fifth. The top five are now separated by just 48 points with only four races remaining. We have a great point battle on our hands!
The top ten in points are now:
- Matt Kenseth -0
- Kevin Harvick -36
- Jimmie Johnson -41
- Denny Hamlin -47
- Jeff Burton -48
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -94
- Mark Martin -96
- Kasey Kahne -99
- Jeff Gordon -141
- Kyle Busch -171
Storylines:
This week the big story is this excellent points battle that has blossomed following Jeff Burton's troubles last week in Martinsville. Five drivers are within 48 points of the lead with four races remaining. Eight drivers are less than 100 points from the lead. This is an exciting Chase For The Cup and all eyes are on the Chasers as they race for the Championship.
Media Coverage:
TV: NBC Sunday, October 29th, 2:30PM Eastern.
Radio: PRN and XM Satellite
Actual Race: 2:55 p.m. Eastern
Posted Awards:
$6,030,505
Last Year:
In 2005 Carl Edwards cruised home to complete the season sweep in Atlanta. Carl took over the lead from teammate Mark Martin with roughly 80 laps to go and was never seriously challenged after that. Jeff Gordon also got around Martin to finish second.
Predictions:
Over the last three Atlanta races Mark Martin finished fourth, third and second. Mark is a master of this fast quad-oval. Mark is currently holding onto his Championship dreams by his fingertips and needs to have a good day in Atlanta. This is a race that Mark Martin can win. He is my top pick for the 2006 Bass Pro Shops 500.
For my backup pick I have to go with Kasey Kahne. Kahne won at Atlanta in the spring. Kahne also won two weeks ago on the similar high banks of Lowes Motor Speedway. Like Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne is another driver on the tail end of those with a shot at the 2006 Championship and needs to have a strong run in Atlanta to close the gap.
