Look for a late-race showdown between Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman.
Casey Mears extended the Hendrick Motorsports dominance with his victory last weekend in the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. It was the fifth consecutive win for Hendrick Motorsports, and their ninth of the 2007 Nextel Cup season which is twelve races deep. More significantly, it was the first career victory for Casey Mears, the nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Rick Mears.
Even though it was not Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon celebrating in victory lane, the fact that another race fell into the hands of another Hendrick Motorsports driver is further substantiation that right now, this organization is practically unconquerable. Thus far, the 2007 NASCAR season has basically turned into the Hendrick Cup.
This weekend, the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit heads to Dover International Speedway, also known as the Monster Mile, for the Autism Speaks 400. Hendrick Motorsports has had a stranglehold on the Car Of Tomorrow, as they have won all five races in the new car. However, Joe Gibbs Racing has led the most laps, and appears to be on the verge of finally breaking the Hendrick Motorsports winning streak. Richard Childress Racing and Penske Racing have also shown strength in the Car Of Tomorrow.
Jeff Burton won the previous race held at Dover last September, and finished second at Bristol Motor Speedway, which is also a high-banked concrete oval. Both Penske Racing drivers Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch were among the fastest at Darlington a couple of weeks ago.
Who will win the Autism Speaks 400, at Dover? Denny Hamlin. Eventually, Denny Hamlin will win a race, and is likely to be sooner than later. Hamlin was the class of the field at Darlington two weeks ago, and could very well be the class of the field again at Dover. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart has enjoyed a great deal of success at the Monster Mile, as he boasts two wins. He will be one of the ones to watch this weekend, as is Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Needless to say, they are ones to watch on a weekly basis.
Look for a late-race showdown between Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman.
Projected Top Ten
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Newman
Jeff Gordon
Tony Stewart
Jimmie Johnson
Kurt Busch
Matt Kenseth
Jamie McMurray
Jeff Burton
Mark Martin
Also keep an eye on Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Greg Biffle
Great darkhorse picks include Jeremy Mayfield, Brian Vickers, Bill Elliott, Bobby Labonte, and Ricky Rudd
Who could use a good finish? Greg Biffle, David Ragan, Elliott Sadler, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, and David Gilliland
Friday June 1, 2007
3:00 PM ET- NASCAR Nextel Cup Qualifying, SPEED
Saturday June 2, 2007
1:00 PM ET- Final NASCAR Nextel Cup Practice (Happy Hour), SPEED
Sunday June 3, 2007
1:00 PM ET- Autism Speaks 400
