Dover International Speedway
NASCAR

2010 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Hershey's Milk & Milkshakes:

Dover International Speedway is a track where you either hit the setup or you don't. It is very difficult to make effective changes during the race if you're not already pretty close to perfect.
This causes Dover to have a higher than average percentage of season sweeps. Tony Stewart swept both races in 2000, Jimmie Johnson in 2002 and again in 2009 and Ryan Newman in 2003. Who will hit the setup in this weekend's 2010 Autism Speaks 400 presented by Hershey's Milk & Milkshakes?

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office 302-734-RACE or 800-441-RACE
The Track:

Dover Downs is a high-banked one-mile concrete oval. The high-grip surface lets drivers really get aggressive and push the car, but at the expense of tire wear. On a typical race day in Dover you'll see a number of different strategies play out. The race can be won by charging hard all day, by laying back and saving your tires for the end, or even by playing the fuel mileage game. You just never know what Dover will bring.

Race Distance:

400 Laps = 400 Miles
The Big Picture:

Kevin Harvick posted another top ten last week in Darlington and extended his point lead over the slumping Jimmie Johnson who finished a dismal 38th.
The top twelve:

1. Kevin Harvick
2. Jimmie Johnson -110
3. Kyle Busch -113
4. Jeff Gordon -147
5. Matt Kenseth -150
6. Denny Hamlin -164
7. Greg Biffle -191
8. Kurt Busch -202
9. Jeff Burton -228
10. Mark Martin -265
11. Carl Edwards -277
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -304

Storylines:

The official NASCAR Hall of Fame celebrated its grand opening in Charlotte this week. After four years of planning and construction the high-tech NASCAR destination officially opened its door on Tuesday. While the first five members won't be inducted until May 23rd we can expect plenty of coverage of NASCAR's newest fan destination.

Media Coverage:

TV: Fox Sunday, May 16th, 12:00PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite Actual Race: 1:00PM Eastern

Recent Events:


2009 Polesitter: David Reutimann 2009 Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Last Year:

The 2009 Autism Speaks 400 was a great sendoff for Fox for the year. Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart were side-by-side for the win inside the final ten laps with Johnson finally pulling out the win at the bitter end. This was a thrilling finish as Dover International Speedway delivered once again for the fans.
Predictions:

Since Dover favors those who have done well there in the past two names immediately stand out.
Carl Edwards leads all active drivers with an average finish of 7.9 in his eleven career Dover starts. Carl has a Dover victory to his credit (2007) and promises to be in the hunt again this weekend. For my backup I have to go with Jimmie Johnson. Johnson leads all active drivers with five career Dover wins including wins in both 2009 races. Johnson needs a good run to stop his recent slide and Dover seems custom made for him to return to Victory Lane.

 

 

 

 

I'm always cutting these things close time wise, but I'm still in with some picks before the green flag. I'm without any real insight, but I think a few drivers are over rated right now. Harvick. Peblo. I don't think they'll win. Dennie and Jimmie are both really hot. Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin are very due. Junior is so over due and I don't know how this is ever going to change, but I think his chances are a lot better on the superspeedways - not Dover.

1. Mark Martin
2. Joey Logano
3. Jimmie Jonhson

1st caution caused by: Sam Hornish
2nd caution also caused by Sam Hornish
# of cautions: 11
1st to the garage (last): Johnny Sauter

 

Woo hoo! We're only a few laps in, but at lap 33 Johnny Sauter is the first to start-and-park... I win the race to the garage!

 

Lap 53 - the first caution for Sam Hornish!!!!! Unbelievable!

 

At lap 245 Sam Hornish, already 60 laps down, spins again to bring out another caution. It`s actually the 4th caution of the race, but still a good call I say...

 

LOL ~ LOL `Brent, Great calls/picks 4 Sure...If you would've placed a bet in Vegas You would've been RICH : )

The bum's just woke me `up to tell me `bout Amy's awesome 88 SS she posted, and then they told me about Hornish & your predictions : )

I must go back to recharge : ) & get another hour of Z's.
They will wake me up around 10-20 to `go : )
Catch U later......EnJoy the Race/Life/Monte/Food/etc (things I can't post here : ) etc. :p

 

Harvick "overrated" come on man

Edit: butthead of the race award goes to Clint Boyer for driving a lap with the jack still under his car