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Jimmie Johnson and the #48 crew move to what has been like their home track on a roll and in the lead for the Sprint Cup. Johnson passed Mark Martin in the standings with last weeks win and has to feel comfortable with this weeks surroundings. In fact, we know he is and we will get to that in a bit.
First, lets take a look at the driver standings going into Saturdays race.
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Mark Martin -12 points
3. Juan Montoya -58 points
4. Tony Stewart -84 points
5. Jeff Gordon -105
Jeff Burton is the defending champion after crossing the line just under a second ahead of Kasey Kahne. Kurt Busch finished third last year followed by Kyle Busch and Jamie McMurray. Jimmie Johnson finished sixth and Mark Martin ninth. Johnson had the poll and led the most laps, but it was Burton with the best car during the final 60 laps. Last years race featured 10 caution flags for 49 laps and there were 24 lead changes that included 16 drivers. Last years qualifying was rained out and the field was set by owner points.
We can't ask for a better front row this week as Jimmie Johnson won the pole and Mark Martin will start to his outside when the race starts. Kasey Kahne starts third with Matt Kenseth forth. Juan Montoya will start in 18th place.
Both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have won here twice, but once again it will be Johnson who is favored to win. Barring a wreck or engine failure somewhere along these last few races, it is clear that Jimmie Johnson is heading for his third straight championship, As we always do, lets look at a few drivers that may give Johnson a ride for his money (and Cup Points),
Jeff Burton- The defending champion has finished in the top ten six out of the last eight fall races here. Not only did he win last year, he finished forth in 2007 and 3rd in 2006. There should be pretty good odds on Burton as he will go off 34th when they start.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.- Junior has been catching up with the field lately. The #88 team has been one of the last teams to get their arms wrapped around the "car of tomorrow" despite the success of his teammates. Prior to the COT cars, Earnhardt Jr. had five top ten finishes in five of six years. It may finally be his time.
Tony Stewart- Tony needs to follow up his Kansas victory with another 1.5 mile track win. 84 points is not an impossible margin to make up, but you need top three finishes to do it as the Chase contenders have owned the top spots lately. In the last eight races here, Stewart has finished no worse than 25th and won the race in 2003. Smoke is more of a summer driver when the tracks are slick, but he has shown good speed in practice and qualified fifth for Saturday.
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