Who's Hot/Who's Not- Indy

[racin_girl72]

This week there were a few surprises I think on the list and some not so big surprises.  Just like in the race on Sunday.

So who do you think is hot and not and can they stay there for long as the Chase draws closer?

http://www.frontstretch.com/cstarr/4529/

[Chris]

The next TWO races could go a long way in determining WHO will make the chase.
Stewart and J. Gordon couldn't have these two tracks come along at a better time.
Gordon always runs well on the road courses, and Bristol is another place he runs well.  Pretty much the same for Stewart.

Typically Kasey Kahne, and Earnhardt and NOT road racers,... and Biffle is fairly decent.  SO it's highly possible things could change or tighten up at the BOTTOM between these three.
BUt on the other hand,.. Biffle NEEDS to outrun Jr and Kahne by a good bit just to make up the 90 points he is behind Jr.

Kurt Busch can run road courses, and also Bristol pretty well,.. but he is OUT of the chase hunt for 2006.  It's NOT the 'points' that is his enemy,.. it's the fact that he is 13th, and he just has to leap over too make people to make the chase.  His ONLY shot is if Kahne and earnhardt BOTH run poorly this weekend at the Glen and he does REAL well,.. and that gets him back 'close'... even then he has to finish strong.  He's 170+ back at this point.

I think the first 9 guys are in the hunt to stay (make the chase).. My only question mark is Hamlin.  This guy continues to impress... but he's right on the edge.  Hamlin runs for a good team,.. and I am SURE that Stewart would rather Hamlin make the chase.  It's easier to race a teammate than someone else.


Just as a sidebar,.. the other teams better HOPE Kasey Kahne MISSES the chase,... he has the tracks like "Atlanta" figured out.  SO with three identical tracks in the final 10,.. he could win Atlanta, Texas, and Lowes.  That won't win the "chase",.. but it could go a LONG way...

[Righty817]

Greg Biffle's average finish in three races at Watkins Glen, the worst among all active drivers with at least two starts at the serpentine track. His finishes: 30th, 35th, 38th.

[Chris]

aaahhh but he finished 14 and 4th the last two races at infineon...
And a 'road course' is pretty much a road course...
He has shown he CAN run good on a road course,.. Kahne and Jr never perform well at those type tracks

[smyler]

I just can't see Hamlin staying in the front.  Yes, it's because he is a rookie and the pressure is so great.  I'm on shaky ground, possibly, but I think the others around him know they have to step it up for these next few races, and they all have more experience.  Ok, so Denny finished 12th at Infineon.  I still think Kahne has something for him.  At 7th, he is only 36 in front of Jr. and 73 in front of Kahne.  Kahne's whole season will be marginalized, despite his wins, if he doesn't make the chase.  I think 20 and 24, while not safe, have the schedule in their favor.  I hate to say it, but we are going to see a lot of points racing, not necessarily racing for the win, unless it is obvious they can take it, from these at the 7 through 12th positions. 

Of course, Bristol can change EVERYTHING.  Gordon has not gotten a pole all season.  If he is going to stay in it I think he needs to get a top 4 spot in Bristol.  We all know what happens to the cars "back in the pack".

[Righty817]

You may say the road courses are close to the same but the BIG diffrence is he's on the outside looking in and he's heading to a place where he's not been in the top 30 in the last three races. Plus he's not chasing no name drivers, he's got to catch some of the best in the bus. Who have some of there best tracks coming up. That's an up hill climb. Plus the #2 car has some of his best tracks coming up and he's just behind Biffle.

[Tonyfan14]

Looking at the top 10 I think Denny and Jr will be the only drivers who may fall out of the top 10. I say Jr because look at how his car was at Indy. I mean that was a 25th to 30th place car all race long. I know they were able to gamble at the end of the race and get a great finish but they can't be doing that from now till Richmond and think that is going to payoff everytime. They need to get those cars running better. And the Glen has not been their best track. Lucky for them it hasen't been all that great for Greg or Kahne as well. And I think the big question mark for Denny is how is he going to handle the pressure. If he just keeps doing what he has been doing he should be safe. And as for Tony and Jeff I think both of them proved at Indy that they can bounce back after something has gone wrong. And just looking at the rest of the races before the Chase starts those are some of the best tracks for those 2.

[Chris]

Jr because look at how his car was at Indy. I mean that was a 25th to 30th place car all race long. I know they were able to gamble at the end of the race and get a great finish but they can't be doing that from now till Richmond and think that is going to payoff everytime

that was my reasoning as to why Biffle would make the chase... Earnhardt has been struggling for weeks now.... Just listen to him when they interview him... It almost sounds like he has resigned himself to the fact he is going to MISS it.

BIffle I think will get that spot...
Busch is pretty far back (about 90 more than Biffle) and like 'righty' said,... those ain't no 'slouches' he is chasing.  Busch is gonna have to go like Gang busters,.. and several guys are gonna have to have problems for him to even have a shot.
I know we have kicked this around all season... but as it winds down. I think the first 9 guys will STAY in,.. and Biffle will get Jr's spot.  That will be the final 10.

Kahne has been up and down... more down than up lately,.. so that is going against him, and NO tracks he 'excels' at coming up to help him out.  Jr has been 'bad' for months,... he's just been lucky.  Even he'll tell you that.

On the other hand,.. Hamlin, and J Gordon are surging, and "Big Mo" means a lot.  Stewart has also been up and down,.. but I think Tony and Zippy will get the job done to try and repeat... especially with the next two tracks coming up.

Now if someone decided it time for "payback", etc... all bets are off... LOL