Sharpie 500 Picks and Predictions
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday night for the Sharpie 500, which is always one of the most exciting races of the year.
Anytime NASCAR competes under the lights, it always makes for an exciting race. But throw in the high banking, beating and banging, and hot tempers and you have a race filled with excitement.
Bristol was always a track where the favorites fared well. Of course, that was until the new surface was unveiled for the fall race in 2007. The main difference with the new surface is that an outside groove has made it possible for drivers to legitimately pass on the outside. In previous races if a driver was slower and wouldn’t get out of the way, the faster a driver would have to push him out because you could only pass down on the bottom.
Just like last week, keep a eye on those drivers at the bottom of the points chase since they all need good finishes and might be afraid to be a little aggressive to guarantee a good finish. Those drivers outside of the top 12 might take a few extra chances to pick up valuable extra points.
Kurt Busch 12/1
Kurt Busch was the king of Bristol for many years - winning four of five races at one point - and is the only active driver with more than two wins with a total of five. Busch has struggled a bit since the new surface was installed, but still never finished worse than 15th, which is still impressive at this difficult track. We think with the way he has run this year, he might just be ready to get back to the victory lane at his favorite track.
Kyle Busch 7/1
This might be the make or break race for Kyle Busch if he has any hope of making the chase, and like his brother, Kyle has taken a real liking to Bristol. In nine races at Bristol, Kyle has two wins and six top-10 finishes and has a very good average finish of 11.2. Having won the first race at Bristol this year, he could very well sweep both races.
Live Longshot
Kevin Harvick 20/1
Kevin Harvick has had one of those years he would like to forget about, but if there was a track that could give him and his team a much needed lift it is Bristol, where he has run well throughout his career. Even though he has just one win here, what we like is how consistent he’s been at Bristol, with 11 top-10s in 17 starts. With nothing to lose, he will be all out to get a win at this point in the season.
Significant Chassis Info
Tony Stewart Will return in the same car (chassis No. 425) that finished eighth at Atlanta.
Jimmie Johnson Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 480) that equaled his career-best at the track in March.
Carl Edwards Will race the same car (chassis No. 596) that finished seventh at Dover in May.
Denny Hamlin Will return in the same car (chassis No. 196) that finished fourth in May's All-Star race.
Kurt Busch Will debut a new car (chassis No. 611) in the Sharpie 500.
Juan Pablo Montoya Will make sixth track start in the same car (chassis No. 818) that finished 12th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June.
Greg Biffle Will return in the same car (chassis No. 546) that raced in the spring and won at Dover in 2008.
Mark Martin Will return in the same car (chassis No. 500) that raced in March.
Clint Bowyer Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 268) that finished third at Pocono earlier this month.
Kyle Busch Will make fourth track start with Joe Gibbs Racing in the same car (chassis No. 239) that finished 17th at Phoenix after a pit-road speeding penalty.
Jeff Burton Will return in the same car (chassis No. 243) that finished 42nd in this event last year after getting caught up in an accident.
Joey Logano Will make second track start in the same car (chassis No. 231) that finished 18th at Chicagoland.
Casey Mears Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 275) that finished ninth at Richmond in May.
Dale Earnhardt Jr Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 526) that finished 12th at Dover in May.
Jamie McMurray Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 603) that finished 13th at Pocono in June.
Kevin Harvick Will race the same car (chassis No. 192) that finished 17th at Dover in May.
Martin Truex Jr Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 804) that was on track during All-Star weekend.
David Ragan Will return in the same car (chassis No. 573) that finished 13th at Martinsville.
Sharpie 500 Picks and Predictions
Kyle Busch 7/1
This might be the make or break race for Kyle Busch if he has any hope of making the chase, and like his brother, Kyle has taken a real liking to Bristol. In nine races at Bristol, Kyle has two wins and six top-10 finishes and has a very good average finish of 11.2. Having won the first race at Bristol this year, he could very well sweep both races.
