I'm Going to MArtinsville!!!1

I won't be around to provide immediate points after the race. 77GP, you're normally the man who steps up, so I guess you're in charge. If anyone else wants to step up, they're welcome to. I usually give first dibs to 77GP though.

I do this everytime I will be absetn, but the best way to figure out points is on a spreadsheet. Put the usernames into Column A, points for their 3 picks in columns B, C, and D, and then put this formula into column E: =(B1+C1+D1) Then sort by column E, and make sure you sort that column and all rows with the column.

Points, Introduction

So it's coming down to the end.... the segment is very close, about 7 guys arei n contention for this thing.

1) 77GP 485 Leader
2) JuniorCar 478 -7
3) KidSpace 475 -10
4) Cowboy6622 470 -15
5) RocknSS04 470 -15
6) Teacher 467 -18
7) montecarlo3831 463 -22
8) zJerry 450 -35
9)lougreen03 437 -48
10) 03JGMonte 412 -73



And the overall is stretching out a little bit again, despite the close in the points lead. I'd say the top 3 are in the running, 4th and 5th, and 6th are a little bit on the long shot status right now.

1) Cowboy6622 3112 Leader
2) 77GP 3085 -27
3) KidSpace 3060 -52
4) montecarlo3831 3050 -62
5) JuniorCar 3046 -66
6) zJerry 3034 -78
7) RocknSS04 2934 -178
8) lougreen03 2926 -184
9) 03JGMonte 1633
10) Teacher 1338



MArtinsville History

Oldest track on the circuit!!! And my Torino has been there!!!







Here is the race from 1968!!

1968 Old Dominion 500 Part 1 - YouTube

1968 Old Dominion 500 Part 2 - YouTube

Happy way to spend 15 minutes.....



This Week

I'm as confused as I can be on who to pick. This used to be the easiest track, but now I'm not certain. It used to be Johnson, Hamlin, and Gordon, and you had 130 point wee kright there. Well, Hamlin is crap this year, Johnson is having some bad luck, and Gordon just falls apart in the chase traditionally. Plus, none of the three have seen that old Martinsville magic lately.

These short tracks are subject to streaks. Petty won 15 here. Gordon was the king of thep lace in the 90s and 2000s. Then it was Jimmie Johnson. Then it was Denny Hamlin. Right now, I think we're in a transitional phase for this track. Someone is going to emerge as the new king of Martinsville. The question is: who?

So who do we go with?

Hendrick

It used to be a Johnson-Gordon track. Last year, Earnhardt led a lot of laps, and he was good at the spring race and nearly had that one won. This is probably his best track! Even on off years, he runs well.

Martin cna run okay here too sometimes.. just dont trust his crew chief or even Martins perception here lately.

I'm going to go ahead and call the run for 6 over for Johnson. However, if he is going to get it, he has to start his rebound by leading the most laps and winning Martinsville. I don't think it's going to happen... the luck just isn't there for him right now.

Childress

Burton used to be a great driver here, and he is riding htat momentum from Talladega.

Harvick won here in the spring, and he is getting to whereh e just sneaks right into these finishes. He will need a strong finish here to win the championship.


STewart Haas

I don't recall seeing Stewart run well here lately. He's won, just not lately. The short track program is lacking over there.

Joe Gibbs Racing

Used to be Hamlin territory. EVen last year, Hamlin won... but this spring, he just iddn't have that magical look to him. The whole season just seems to be bad luck for Hamlin.

Kyle Busch, on the other hand, is good here.. not as good as Hamlin, but still good here. However, Kyle Busch generally has bad chase races like Jeff Gordon.

Joey Logano has a solid track in Martinsville... just have to see. He seems to have a lot of bad luck this year too.

Roush RAcing

There is no stellar drivver in this group at MArtinsville. They're going to pour on the heat at Texas, Phoenix, and Homestead!

Matt Kenseth hates the place... can't get a feel for it. But, he ran well here in the spring. Edwards ran good here the year he was chasing Johnson for a championship, and he has gotten to hwere he can run top 10's here. I might take a chance on Edwards this week.

Petty Motorsports

This is a good Marcos Ambrose track. He has good equipment this year. He might be an underdog to watch out for. Allmendinger I can't really speak for.

Penske

Keseloski has really stepped up his game here lately. He's good on tracks he returns to for a 2nd time, and he might just have it together at Martinsville.

Kurt Busch spent more time hunting Jeff Gordon here last year than racing... eh's an average driver there.

Random @$$hats

Montoya is crap here and will probably bottleneck the field. Kasey Kahne might put something together, but it's unlikely



My Picks


I really jsut don't know.... off the cuff, lets try:

1) Carl Edwards, 99
2) Kevin Harvick, 29
3) Dennis Hamster, 11


These picks are very subject to being edited. I don't think the regulars are the guys to go for.

 

Gordon
johnson
harvick

 

Here's my pick's
1) Jimmie Johnson
2) Jeff Gordon
3) Kevin Harvick

 

OK Duane, it's on, long shot, my azz............ we'll see buddy! I'm coming after you Duane.........

 

You can underline my name if you want.... looks like zJerry and Mike are thinking along the same pathes though.

 

Duane, you should know by now I'm only kidding man, it has been pretty cool picking races every week on here Just a little smack talk to get the guys motivated.....

 

Well here goes: Duane you took 2 of my pics from the spring race.
1. Harvick
2. Kyle Busch
3 Dale Jr.
Good Luck.

 

Jerry is taking the "got what works and stick with it" plan. I was just talking smack back with you Chris. I forgot to put up a poll. I'm all out of ideas. Put messages up in the end of hte race threads for poll ideas.

Jerry, I didn't even think about it when I made those picksw that you were going to take two of them.... I might get rid of Jr. Hard to though... good track for him. I'll watch practice/quals.

Also Mr. Jerry Smith, do you want to be the honoree points counter for thsi week since I'll be battling the throngs of traffic trying to get out of Martinsville?


Brent hasn't posted yet, but I want to say he has a very nice tribute to Dan Wheldon in his signature... I like it.

 

Yes, I will be the honorary points keeper ths week. No problem.

 

1. Harvick
2. Johnson
3 Gordon