2007 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway

2007 Sharpie 500 - Can Bristol Get Even Better?:

This weekend the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series visits the newly reconfigured Bristol Motor Speedway. Since we were here in the spring workers have torn up the entire race track and laid down a new concrete surface with a different banking configuration. Bristol Motor Speedway now has a second groove which should make the racing even better.

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office (423) 764-1161

Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)

The Track:

Measuring in at .533 miles and featuring variable banking in the corners. Bristol Motor Speedway is very tight and very fast. Racing here was once compared to racing jetfighters in a gymnasium.

Since the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series left in the spring the track was torn up and reconfigured. They made the track three feet wider, smoothed the transitions into the turns and added variable banking.

Race Distance:

500 laps = 266.5 miles

The Big Picture:

Only three races remain until the Chase. All eyes are on the battle for the twelfth and final Chase spot.

Kurt Busch has won two of the last three NEXTEL Cup races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Newman are losing ground in the Race to the Chase. Kurt Busch now has a 163 point cushion over Junior with only three races to go.

The top twelve:

1. Jeff Gordon -0
2. Denny Hamlin -276
3. Matt Kenseth -354
4. Tony Stewart -398
5. Carl Edwards -501
6. Jimmie Johnson -512
7. Jeff Burton -544
8. Kyle Busch -590
9. Clint Bowyer -692
10. Kevin Harvick -698
11. Martin Truex Jr. -714
12. Kurt Busch -747

Storylines:

This weekend brings us the great unknown. The owners of Bristol Motor Speedway already had one of the greatest race tracks in the world. However when the NEXTEL Cup series left here in the spring they brought in the bulldozers to try to make it even better.

After watching last night's Craftsman Truck Series race I think they may have succeeded. The trucks were able to race side-by-side lap after lap. The new progressive banking means that getting stuck on the outside is no longer the death sentence that it used to be.

This Bristol race will be different. But different just might be even better!

Media Coverage:

TV: ESPN Saturday August 25th 7:00PM Eastern.

Radio: PRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 8:05PM Eastern

Posted Awards:

$6,055,119

Last Year:

This was not a typical NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Bristol. Matt Kenseth started on the pole, lead 415 of the 500 laps and was never seriously challenged. A late race restart tried to add some drama as Jeff Burton restarted hot on his bumper but Kenseth got away cleanly and this one was never in doubt.

Predictions:

The intensity will be turned up this weekend as the famous night race in Bristol brings out the worst in the drivers. This is the kind of race where the favorites can be knocked out in an instant.

Jeff Gordon has to be considered a favorite this weekend. Although he hasn't won in Bristol since 2002 he finished third here in March and has a unique psychological advantage. Jeff Gordon and his team can gamble on a win with no consequences if they lose.

This is because Jeff Gordon is already guaranteed a Chase spot. All drivers start the Chase with the same number of points. The only difference is the ten point bonus for each race win. If Jeff finishes 2nd or 43rd it is all the same to him. He can only improve his position with a win.

My backup pick this week has to go to the March 2007 winner. Kyle Busch won here in the spring and is very fast. The track is a bit different but Kyle ran very well in last night's Truck Series race. Kyle Busch is a threat to sweep Bristol in 2007.