2007 LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway

2007 LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway:

Kansas Speedway was long criticized for not providing exciting racing. That all changed last year as drivers were two and three wide all day long. The finish was exciting too as Tony Stewart coasted across the line out of fuel to take the win. The 2006 event had it all strategy, great racing and a thrilling finish. Will the 2007 LifeLock 400 at Kansas Speedway be just as exciting?

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office 913-328-RACE

Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)

The Track:

Kansas is a 1.5 mile with 15 degrees of banking in the corners. Only around since 2001 Kansas Speedway hasn't had a chance to distinguish itself yet. Now that it hosts one of the final ten critical Chase for the NEXTEL Cup races true NASCAR history will be coming soon.

Race Distance:

267 laps = 400 miles

The Big Picture:

After two races in the 2007 Chase for the Cup we have quite a battle brewing. Six drivers are withing just 28 points of the lead.

The Chasers need to avoid disaster this weekend in Kansas. Chasers will be looking to score a top ten and move on. You can't win the Championship this weekend, but you can lose it with a disastrous finish.

The top twelve are now:

1. Jeff Gordon -0
2. Tony Stewart -2
3. Jimmie Johnson -4
4. Kyle Busch -10
5. Clint Bowyer -18
6. Carl Edwards -28
7. Martin Truex Jr. -46
8. Jeff Burton -75
9. Kevin Harvick -115
10. Matt Kenseth -116
11. Kurt Busch -151
12. Denny Hamlin -158

Storylines:

Last week's Dover winner Carl Edwards finds himself squarely in the media spotlight this week. Carl Edwards' car was found to be too low in the right rear during post-race inspection. Carl was docked 25 points which drops him from third to sixth in the Chase standings. In addition his crew chief was fined $25,000.

How does this penalty affect Carl's chance to win the NEXTEL Cup? Is this penalty fair? A 25 point penalty in May is dramatically different then that same penalty during the Chase.

Media Coverage:

TV: ABC Sunday, September 30th, 2:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 2:40PM Eastern

Posted Awards:

$6,056,938

Last Year:

Last year Jimmie Johnson dominated most of the race and had a big lead late in the race. However the timing of cautions made this a fuel mileage race as most drivers were just a couple laps short.

The Chasers had to play it safe and pit for fuel. Non-2006 Chaser Tony Stewart decided to try to stretch his fuel and steal the win. Tony ran out of fuel on the back stretch of the final lap. He coasted around on the apron and took the exciting victory.

Predictions:

Jimmie Johnson was the car to beat last year until he fell victim to fuel mileage and he was forced to take the cautious route and pit. Johnson is squarely in the hunt to repeat his 2006 Championship bid and has been undeniably fast in 2007. Given his success here last year and his performance so far in 2007 I have to go with Jimmie Johnson as top pick this week.

For my backup pick this week I am going with Jeff Burton. Burton finished fifth here last year after running with the leaders most of the day. He picked up a win earlier this season at another mile and a half race track when he won at Texas in April.

If Jeff Burton is going to make a run at this Championship he needs to make a statement. Kansas Speedway is a track that fits his style.