600 miles.
If I were to jump into my Honda CR-V sitting in my driveway right now and head out to northern Washington, that would be the equivalent of the Coca- Cola 600. Now unless I get creative about my stops and my speeds, it would take me about eight and a half hours to get there.
That’s a “fur piece” from here my dad’s Oklahoman stepfather would say.
Things like pit strategy, creativity with cautions, tires and fuel will no doubt all be a part of making it to the end of Sunday’s marathon. That race team that has a feel for the frequency of cautions, fuel consumption and tire life will have an edge.
If I couple pit strategy with what we learned from last Saturday’s All-Star race, I’m not having to look for a potential winner. Just about any piece out there with the name Hendrick linked to it was strong last week- whether you’re talking about the Hendrick prepared cars of Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman at Stewart- Haas Racing, or the Hendrick Motorsports cars of Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon specifically. As far as that goes- the HMS rigs of Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. showed potential- particularly Martin’s.
If qualifying is any indication of the car quality most of these drivers are sitting pretty well. Newman proved again to be king of qualifiers by winning his 44th career pole. Gordon is 3rd, Martin 4th and Johnson 5th.
What’s more Gordon and Johnson lead active drivers in wins at Lowe’s. Each
have 5 wins apiece at the home track of Johnson’s lead sponsor. Though he hasn’t won at Lowe’s since 2002, Martin has 4 victories at this venue.
While those drivers head the class- there are other drivers with a record of success at the Concord, North Carolina track. Kasey Kahne this event last year for his 3rd LMS victory, Jeff Burton’s fall conquest marked his 3rd here.
Other guys to watch are the ever-competitive Kyle Busch, who sits on the outside of the front row. Let us not forget top 10 qualifier Brian Vickers, who gave Toyota its first sniff of respectability in Cup competition with a load of laps led in the 2007.
I’m not even looking that hard to forecast a winner because I simply think this driver has the total package for victory this race: a fast car, a brilliant crew chief and a track record for accomplishment.
I’m going with Jimmie Johnson for the 2009 Coca- Cola 600. Sure- he’s had some real ups and downs of late, but I believe the above combination buttressed with a little bit of steely determination to impress the sponsors and get back to victory lane will make him a factor and the best bet for victory.
Tell me what you think. Check out the information below and tell me who YOU think will win the race. The first 10 to do so, regardless of who they pick will win a promo code to win the “Race Fan Ultimate” application for their iPhone or iPod.
Read on for further details.
“Race Fan Ultimate” Giveaway
iPhone and iPod Touch users, imagine having the latest NASCAR news, standings, race results and video available at your fingertips. The Race Fan Ultimate application is available now for your iPhone or iPod Touch. I’m not much of a techno geek, but I’ve had a chance to use the Race Fan Ultimate and found it quite easy to use and very handy. With this handy little application- everything NASCAR goes wherever you go.
The first 10 to comment with their own predictions on the Coca-Cola 600 will win a promo code that enables you to get this fun and functional application absolutely free!
Bump Drafts contributors and their families not eligible.
To learn more about the application, visit http://www.220software.com/2009/05/nascar-ultimate.html
PHOTO CREDITS- Sign by jmd1047. To see more visit flickr.com, or click on the hyperlink.
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The Hendrick Teams, with one highly visible exception, seem to have found the combination this season. Childress seems pretty adrift, & Cousin Carl, every one’s preseason pick has been MIA.
This race is no stranger to surprise winners. IE, Casey Mears, Kasey, last year, Jeff Burton. It usually comes down to strategy, read fuel mileage. A chance to snatch a win W/O always having the best car. Don’t forget that Jr.’s only Hendrick win was just such a call by the CC that the Nation loves to hate. You give me Hendrick, & I;ll give you the Field.
I find it amazing that people continue to ignore Kurt Busch when picking front runners this year.
You take the Hendricks……..I’ll take the Busch brothers, Hamlin and Burton.
Now that doesn’t include Stewart and Newman. :)
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