2005 Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington Raceway

Since 1950 Darlington Raceway has hosted NASCAR racing. However the traditional Southern 500 was a victim of schedule expansion so Darlington has been relegated to Mother's Day weekend. Traditionally NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup series took this weekend off, but there are very few free weekends left on the calendar so this weekend now brings us the Dodge Charger 500 under the lights on Saturday night.

Darlington is a tricky 1.366 mile egg shaped oval. The racing surface is very narrow and the groove is up against the wall. Slip just a little and you'll get a "Darlington Stripe" on the side of your car.

The track surface itself brings its own challenges as the rough surface chews up tires. The tires drop off very quickly here so drivers will be in for four fresh tires every chance they get, and a driver who uses up his rubber too early in a run will drop like a stone after just a few laps.

This is race 10 of 36 this season.

Jimmie Johnson still has a healthy point lead but the last two weeks have been his worst finishes of the year. It's not time to panic, but he needs to reverse this trend with a solid top ten.

The current points top ten are: 1. Jimmie Johnson 1,368. 2. Kurt Busch 1,238. 3. Jeff Gordon 1,217. 4. Greg Biffle 1,181. 5. Elliott Sadler 1,164. 6. Tony Stewart 1,088. 7. Dale Jarrett 1,085. 8. Kevin Harvick 1,083. 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1,070. 10. Jamie McMurray 1,067.

"Tire Management." That's the key to being fast over a green flag run and the Fox broadcast crew won't let you forget it this Saturday night. You can't use up your tires here by trying to push too hard too soon.

Also we'll hear a lot about the wrecks from Talladega last week. Did Jimmie Johnson cause both major incidents from last week? Personally I don't believe that "The Big One" was his fault but others disagree and you can bet that we'll hear all about it this weekend.

TV: Fox Saturday, May 7, 7:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and XM Satellite

Actual Race: 7:10PM Eastern

Last year the spring race in Darlington was in March, was run during the day and was only 400 miles so the comparisons are limited.

Then-rookie Kasey Kahne scored his second pole position of the year with Dale Earnhardt Jr completing the front row. When it came down to the end though, Jimmie Johnson beat a faster Bobby Labonte off pit road during the final caution and Bobby couldn't find his way past on the narrow track. Johnson won by .132 seconds over Labonte.

To win you need to know how to managed your aggression. Lay back early, find a place to race within sight of the leaders but don't push too hard. Work on the car all night long and get it right for the end and then race for the checkers. Darlington favors experience and patience. I'm picking Mark Martin to get his first win of the year. I'll take his teammate Kurt Busch as my backup. Both have won here in the past and Roush Racing has a great package for Darlington.