2005 Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond International Raceway

Richmond International is a short track that drives like a superspeedway. Side-by-Side all night long is possible. If you are faster you can move up or down and get the pass done. The racing is tight and fast and the finishes are usually exciting. Saturday night racing under the lights in Richmond is NASCAR at its best.

The 3/4-mile D-shaped oval has just 14 degrees of banking in the corners but it is enough banking to provide great racing. While Martinsville and Bristol tend to force drivers to hug the inside line to be fast, Richmond has multiple grooves.

This is race number 11 of 36.

Mark Martin 6th in points is only 43 points ahead of Rusty Wallace in 14th. All eyes are on that critical top ten, who's in and who's out.

The current points top ten are: 1. Jimmie Johnson 1,519. 2. Jeff Gordon 1,392. 3. Greg Biffle 1,371. 4. Kurt Busch 1,290. 5. Elliott Sadler 1,267. 6. Mark Martin 1,226. 7. Tony Stewart 1,222. 8. Jamie McMurray 1,217. 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1,212. 10. Ryan Newman 1,205. 1,067.

Last week was "Tire Management" this week will be about "Anger Management." Like all NASCAR short tracks Richmond tends to bring out the tempers. Plus last week's bumping between Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green provides a great lead in. This week will be about anger, how, why and when to control it.

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

Radio: MRN and XM Satellite

Actual Race: 7:35PM Eastern

In 2004 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon all gambled by not pitting when the caution flew with 56 laps to go. Dale Jr. had the track position and held off Johnson and a hard charging Bobby Labonte for the win.

I think that this is the week for somebody different to win. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon would have to be the odds-on favorites but I'm going to venture out on a limb instead. I think the the Joe Gibbs team is ready to get back into victory lane so I'm picking Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte to win this week.