The Frontstretch: Nextel Cup Fantasy Insight: Atlanta (Hotlanta Hot Shots) by Dennis Michelsen -- Thursday March 16, 2006

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Nextel Cup Fantasy Insight: Atlanta (Hotlanta Hot Shots)

Dennis Michelsen · Thursday March 16, 2006

 

Have you ever had a hunch? Webster’s dictionary defines hunch as, "a strong intuitive feeling, especially concerning a future event or result." Well, this week, folks, I have a hunch! Atlanta is the fastest track on the NASCAR circuit. Joe Gibbs Racing used to own this place, with Bobby Labonte so tough in the past. So I have a hunch that I know who the winner will be. Perhaps I should put some money where my hunch is, since this guy is likely to pay a handsome price in Vegas! (Or as a proposition bet at WagerNASCAR.com perhaps?)

O.K., folks, this is far from a lock, but I have your winner this week. Put your hard earned dough on Denny Hamlin to win his first career Nextel Cup race.

Race Game Update
Bob’s Corner Racing Game

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Last One Standing

Segment One started with the Daytona 500. Check out our new sponsor HotJackets.com and play LOS with a chance to win a new NASCAR jacket! StockCarPitPass.com will be your official race game headquarters for Last One Standing!

By the Numbers-Statistical Look at This Week’s Race
(Detailed stats at StockCarPitPass.com)

Horses for Courses


Driver Course
C Edwards 95.4
J Johnson 94.8
T Stewart 91.2
M Martin 89.4
K Kahne 89.4
G Biffle 88.4
D Earnhardt Jr 87
J McMurray 86
J Burton 85.6
J Gordon 85.4

Consistency Factor


Driver Last 5
J Johnson 91.8
C Mears 91.6
M Martin 91.4
M Kenseth 89.8
J Gordon 88.8
K Kahne 87.6
Ky Busch 86.6
C Edwards 86.2
C Bowyer 86
G Biffle 85.8

Track Type Factor


Driver Type
J Johnson 94.8
C Edwards 93.2
G Biffle 92.6
M Martin 88.4
C Mears 87
J McMurray 86
R Newman 84.8
D Jarrett 84.4
Ku Busch 84.2
D Earnhardt Jr 83.8

Power Rating


Driver Car # Last 5 Type Course Power
J Johnson 48 91.8 94.8 94.8 281
C Edwards 99 86.2 93.2 95.4 275
M Martin 6 91.4 88.4 89.4 269
G Biffle 16 85.8 92.6 88.4 267
T Stewart 20 85 81.2 91.2 257
M Kenseth 17 89.8 83.6 83.6 257
C Mears 42 91.6 87 77.8 256
J Gordon 24 88.8 81.8 85.4 256
D Jarrett 88 85.6 84.4 85.4 255
J McMurray 26 81 86 86 253
R Newman 12 85.6 84.8 82.4 253
J Burton 31 83.6 82.8 85.6 252
D Earnhardt Jr 8 81 83.8 87 252
K Kahne 9 87.6 72.2 89.4 249
E Sadler 38 85 82.6 80.8 248
J Mayfield 19 77.8 82.8 84.4 245
Ky Busch 5 86.6 76.4 82 245
J Nemechek 01 77.8 82.6 84.6 245
B Vickers 25 79.4 78.8 84.2 242
Ku Busch 2 79.6 84.2 78 242

Handicapping the Race

Win: Denny Hamlin
Is there anything this kid can’t do?

Place: Jimmie Johnson
Due for a let down, but it won’t be this week!

Show: Tony Stewart
Only if the “Good” Tony shows up to race!

Top Rookie: JJ Yeley
Let’s stick with the JGR family!

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©2000 - 2008 Dennis Michelsen and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!

 

JGR Fan
03/17/2006 11:49 AM
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I love JGR too, but how can J.J Yeley be the top rookie if Denny Hamlin wins? Hmmm!

Rajeev Jaswal
03/17/2006 03:05 PM
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I am seriously hoping that Smoke can control his temper and get some good results. He had a top flight car in both Daytona and Vegas but his anger got the best of him. Zippy needs to calm him down and make him focus on his driving rather than messing up with elephant ear “Shrub”.

Dennis
03/20/2006 11:49 AM
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That is the TOP rookie OTHER than the winning pick…and if you buy that one….

Dennis

 

Dennis no longer contributes to the Frontstretch, but you can Dennis's commentary at his website bio and archive page.