Hard Turn
by Jeff Owens
Fantasy: Week 6 - Goody's Cool Orange 500
March 27, 2008
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If you’ve hedged your bets so far on Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, last year’s big winners, you’ve no doubt been disappointed. But this is the weekend when you have to stay the course and stick with Hendrick’s dynamic duo. Johnson is not only the favorite at Martinsville Speedway, he is the overwhelming favorite. And the driver with the best chance to beat him is his teammate, Gordon.
Group A
Johnson has won the last three races at Martinsville, and Gordon swept both races in 2005. Overall, Gordon has seven wins at the half-mile track, more than any active driver.
Others to consider are Tony Stewart, who has two wins at Martinsville, including the spring race in 2006, and Matt Kenseth, who had two top-10s there last year.
Then, of course, there is points leader Kyle Busch, who has been strong everywhere this season. Busch finished fourth in both Martinsville races last year and may be ready to turn it up a notch. Still, picking anyone other than Johnson or Gordon is a gamble.
Group B
This group provides a lot of options. Denny Hamlin finished third and sixth at Martinsville last year, and will have extra incentive racing in his home state.
Ryan Newman finished second to Johnson last fall and should be a threat again. Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have also had solid runs at Martinsville in recent years.
My pick: Hamlin. This could be his weekend to shine.
Group C
Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya both had top-10s at Martinsville last year and could surprise again. Be careful with McMurray, though; he is outside the top 35 and must qualify on speed.
Bobby Labonte is worth considering because he is a veteran who knows how to get around the tiny track. He won there in 2002, and the Petty teams aren’t nearly as far behind on the short tracks as it the big speedways.
Group D
Brian Vickers has been the best performer in this group, but keep an eye on Scott Riggs. He finished eighth and 16th in the two Martinsville races last year and has been solid this season.
Aric Almirola is also worth a gamble. This is his second straight short-track race for DEI, and he finished an impressive eighth at Bristol. Can he do it again?
Group E
The most intriguing pick in this group is Michael McDowell, who will be making his Sprint Cup debut with Michael Waltrip Racing. It might be wise to stay away from him, though – Martinsville is a tough place for your first Cup race.
Most of the drivers in this group are outside the top 35 and must qualify on speed. The safest best are Reutimann and Waltrip. Reutimann was the best of this group last year, finishing 17th in the fall race.
Group A
Johnson has won the last three races at Martinsville, and Gordon swept both races in 2005. Overall, Gordon has seven wins at the half-mile track, more than any active driver.
Others to consider are Tony Stewart, who has two wins at Martinsville, including the spring race in 2006, and Matt Kenseth, who had two top-10s there last year.
Then, of course, there is points leader Kyle Busch, who has been strong everywhere this season. Busch finished fourth in both Martinsville races last year and may be ready to turn it up a notch. Still, picking anyone other than Johnson or Gordon is a gamble.
Group B
This group provides a lot of options. Denny Hamlin finished third and sixth at Martinsville last year, and will have extra incentive racing in his home state.
Ryan Newman finished second to Johnson last fall and should be a threat again. Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have also had solid runs at Martinsville in recent years.
My pick: Hamlin. This could be his weekend to shine.
Group C
Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya both had top-10s at Martinsville last year and could surprise again. Be careful with McMurray, though; he is outside the top 35 and must qualify on speed.
Bobby Labonte is worth considering because he is a veteran who knows how to get around the tiny track. He won there in 2002, and the Petty teams aren’t nearly as far behind on the short tracks as it the big speedways.
Group D
Brian Vickers has been the best performer in this group, but keep an eye on Scott Riggs. He finished eighth and 16th in the two Martinsville races last year and has been solid this season.
Aric Almirola is also worth a gamble. This is his second straight short-track race for DEI, and he finished an impressive eighth at Bristol. Can he do it again?
Group E
The most intriguing pick in this group is Michael McDowell, who will be making his Sprint Cup debut with Michael Waltrip Racing. It might be wise to stay away from him, though – Martinsville is a tough place for your first Cup race.
Most of the drivers in this group are outside the top 35 and must qualify on speed. The safest best are Reutimann and Waltrip. Reutimann was the best of this group last year, finishing 17th in the fall race.
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