2009 LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway

2009 LifeLock.com 400 Preview:

Fans are still buzzing about last weekend's Daytona finish. Last weekend's thriller is exactly the kind of race that Daytona fans have come to expect on that race track. By contrast, Chicagoland Speedway has been hosting Sprint Cup racing since 2001. This 1.5 mile 'D' has not yet seen many great races in its young history.

Will we see another runaway in Chicago or can the 2009 LifeLock.com 400 maintain the momentum from the 2008 overdrive finish?

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office 815-727-RACE

The Track:

Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5 mile D-shaped oval. This is a fan-friendly speedway with great sightlines from nearly every seat. Being newer on the schedule Chicagoland hasn't had the opportunity to create its history and differentiate itself from the others. Given time this fine facility will also host some memorable NASCAR moments.

Race Distance:

267 laps = 400 miles

The Big Picture:

With the win last week in Daytona point leader Tony Stewart extended his lead to 180 over Jeff Gordon. The top ten drivers in points all maintained their positions.

Mark Martin was the big loser last week as he fell two spots out of the top twelve from eleventh to thirteenth.

The top twelve:

1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeff Gordon -180
3. Jimmie Johnson -194
4. Kurt Busch -305
5. Carl Edwards - 402
6. Denny Hamlin -417
7. Ryan Newman -484
8. Kyle Busch -485
9. Greg Biffle -504
10. Matt Kenseth -518
11. Juan Montoya -532
12. Kasey Kahne -553

Storylines:

Now that we have reached the official halfway point of the season this is a good week to look back at the surprises from the first half and make predictions for the remainder.

Near the top of the surprises list has to be Tony Stewart. A year ago the big news in Chicago was that Tony was leaving Joe Gibbs to start his own team. Now, one year later, Stewart is leading the points fresh off a Daytona win and has to be considered a favorite this weekend in Chicago. Who, other than Tony, would have believed a first-year owner-driver could have such success?

Media Coverage:

TV: TNT Saturday, July 11th, 6:30PM Eastern.

Actual Race: 8:00PM

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Recent Events:

2008 Polesitter: None (weather)

2008 Winner: Kyle Busch

Last Year:

Chicagoland Speedway isn't know for its exciting racing. However the 2008 LifeLock.com 400 made up for 265 laps of boredom with a two lap thrilling finish.

The final restart came with two laps to go. When the green flag flew Kyle Busch jumped to the outside of Jimmie Johnson and they ran side-by-side down the back stretch. Busch came out on top in turns three and four and held the lead at the white flag.

Johnson had to contend with third place Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch was able to hold on for the exciting win.

Predictions:

Tony Stewart is one of only two drivers with more than one win at Chicagoland Speedway. Stewart is on top of the NASCAR Sprint Cup world right now. He is leading the points and fresh off the thrilling Daytona victory. Tony Stewart is a favorite to visit Victory Lane once again this weekend.

For my backup this week I am going to take the easy pick. Kyle Busch won here last year and has also been tearing up the Sprint Cup circuit in 2009. Kyle Busch makes a solid pick this Saturday night in Chicago.