GFS Marketplace 400:
The NEXTEL Cup stars June visit to Michigan was only marred by four yellow flags but one of them set up a pit strategy duel that decided the race. Will this weekend's GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway feature the same kind of strategic victory? Just who IS the favorite this weekend?
The Track:
Built in 1968, Michigan is a 2 mile 'D' shaped oval with 18 degrees of banking in the corners. Even the front 'D' has 12 degrees of banking. This makes for high speeds on the smooth, wide oval.
Race Distance:
200 laps = 400 miles
The Big Picture:
This is race number 23 of 36. Only four races remain until the September 10th cutoff to begin The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. CArl Edwards holds 10th by just 3 points over Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett. This is going to be a shootout!
The current points top ten are: 1. Tony Stewart 3,113, 2. Jimmie Johnson 3,008, 3. Greg Biffle 2,861, 4. Rusty Wallace 2,855, 5. Mark Martin 2,782, 6. Kurt Busch 2,692, 7. Jeremy Mayfield 2,684, 8. Ryan Newman 2,646, 9. Jamie McMurray 2,599, 10. Carl Edwards 2,593.
Storylines:
Lots of talk this week about driver changes. Will Jack Roush let Kurt Busch break his contract and go drive the #2? Will Chip Ganassi let Jamie McMurray go to Roush Racing to take over the #6? Who will drive the #97 car after Kurt leaves? Silly Season is in full swing and 2005 is shaping up to be a good one.
The battle for tenth in points is also heating up as only nine points separate Jamie McMurray in ninth from Dale Jarrett in twelfth. Only two of those four drivers will make The Chase.
Media Coverage:
TV: TNT Sunday August 21st 1:30PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and XM Satellite
Actual Race: 2:10PM Eastern
Last Year:
In 2004 qualifying was rained out so Jimmie Johnson earned his pole position based on points. When it came down to race time Greg Biffle was strong all day long and took four tires at the end to seal the win over teammate Mark Martin who had gambled on two tires.
Predictions:
It is tough to pick only two this week. Greg Biffle won this race in 2004 and also won the June race here so he would normally be the favorite. I'm going to relegate him to backup status this week.
Until someone proves that he can be beat I'm going to pick the smoking hot Tony Stewart. He started his fantastic run with a second place finish in June and he has been unstoppable lately. I'm going to keep picking him until somebody beats him.
