Pep Boys Auto 500 Picks and Predictions
After taking a week off so drivers could heal after the beating they took at Bristol, NASCAR goes under the lights Sunday night for the Pep Boys Auto 500 from Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Just two races remain in the Race to the Chase before the 12-driver field will be set for NASCAR’s version of a playoff, so make sure to keep a eye on those drivers that are points racing because they may take some risks they normally wouldn't.
Jimmie Johnson 5/1
Jimmie Johnson has looked spectacular the last few weeks but thanks to lots of bad racing luck, he has no wins to show for it. What better track to rebound than Atlanta, which like Charlotte, is a track he has mastered. In his last nine starts at Atlanta, Johnson has only finished outside of the top-10 twice for a average finish of 5.8, which leads all drivers. With Johnson locked into the chase, look for him to let it all out Sunday to pick up a much needed win.
Carl Edwards 8/1
Carl Edwards has been a disappointment so far this year but only because he has yet to win a race even though despite being competitive. Edwards has always run well on this type of track and won the first two times he raced at Atlanta in this series. Will this be the week that he gets his first win of the year?
Live Longshot
Matt Kenseth 25/1
Matt Kenseth has been ice cold ever since he won the first two races of this season, but with a fondness for this type of track and his past history here we think his a nice longshot. His average finish at Atlanta is 9.3, which is second best behind Jimmie Johnson's 5.8.
Chassis Info
Tony Stewart: Will be driving the same car (chassis No. 511) that finished 17th at Bristol in the spring.
Jimmie Johnson: Will debut a new chassis (No. 558) in the Pep Boys Auto 500.
Carl Edwards: Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 565) that finished third at Atlanta in the spring.
Kurt Busch: Will race the same car (chassis No. 594) that went to Victory Lane in March.
Greg Biffle: Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 566) that finished eighth at Darlington.
Juan Pablo Montoya: Will return in the same car (chassis No. 818) that finished second at Pocono Raceway.
Mark Martin: Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 527) that won at Darlington and Chicagoland.
Clint Bowyer: Will debut a new chassis (No. 284) in the Pep Boys Auto 500.
Jeff Burton: Will race the same car (chassis No. 283) that recently finished 18th at Michigan International Speedway.
Joey Logano: Will return in the same car (chassis No. 247) that finished 12th and seventh, respectively, at Indianapolis and Michigan.
Casey Mears: Will debut a new car (chassis No. 286) in the Pep Boys Auto 500.
Dale Earnhardt Jr: Will debut a new chassis (No. 559) in the Pep Boys Auto 500.
Jamie McMurray: Will race the same car (chassis No. 617) that finished 21st at Indianapolis.
Martin Truex Jr: Will pilot the same car that finished 17th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick: Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 281) that finished 19th at Chicagoland and sixth at Indianapolis.
David Ragan: Will drive the same car (chassis No. 668) that most recently finished 24th at Indianapolis.