Burning questions at Pocono
A few questions for ya heading into Sunday's Cup race at Pocono:
* Can Jimmie Johnson make it three Pocono wins in a row? He swept both races at that funky triangular track last year.
* Can someone outside the Hendrick and Roush stables win this one? After Greg Biffle won last week at Dover, we're up to 11 Hendrick/Roush wins in 13 races.
* Whose engine will give up first? Carl Long's? Or Bobby Labonte's?
* Who will be the first driver to shift Sunday and get rammed from behind? Remember, NASCAR changed the gear rules this season, and drivers won't be able to shift.
* And when will the Cup series run at Nashville? The Busch drivers are there tonight, and Nashville is a sweet little track. (I'd rather see the Cup drivers run at Nashville than Pocono.)
Our racing writer, Dustin Long, had five questions of his own. His answers:
* Kurt Busch (sorry, Matt)
* Jeff Burton
* Michigan
* We'll need another Bud
* Lots of jobs are on the line
You'll have to read Dustin's story in today's paper to see the questions.
Comments (4)
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I'm PO'ed at Dustin Long. How the hell is Busch most likely to fall out???? Not gonna happen. I think its a testament to his team that he has crashed and is still in the top 10. He has had a top 5 car every week. The cars are strong. Look at his run last year, he flew under the radar until right around the Chase. I'll calling BS on that one. Kurt will not only make the Chase, he'll be fighting for the title along with Biffle, Johnson, and Sadler.
Posted on June 11, 2005 4:48 PM
This may sound like I'm paid to say this, Matt, and maybe I am, but:
After today's Pocono race, Dustin Long looks like a daggone genius with his Kurt Busch prediction. Busch spun himself out (again), finished outside the top 20 and is now 11th in points.
It doesn't mean Busch is a bad driver. Remember the 2004 season Matt Kenseth had? In 2003, his championship season, every time there was a wreck, there was Kenseth sailing right through. During the 2004 Chase, he couldn't buy himself a break, which is why he quickly became a non-factor and ended up eighth.
The same thing's happening with Busch.
If it's any consolation, Dustin's Jeff Burton prediction wasn't exactly on the money, at least based on today's race.
Posted on June 13, 2005 12:39 AM
1 point out of 10th... come on.
Posted on June 13, 2005 10:55 AM
One thing in Kurt Busch's favor, Matt, is a free-falling Tony Stewart. He hasn't seen a top 10 since Richmond, and he dropped five spots this week.
Posted on June 13, 2005 1:07 PM