Dover Discussion

[your pixel army]

Since AJ blew a tire while leading at Dover last fall, I've had this date circled. His average finish here in the last three races is 10.3, and he had a car that was as fast or faster than Johnson last year. I believe he ended up making up two laps before snagging a 10th. I really think he'll contend for a top 5 --- and I'm optimistic that he'll be as fast as he was last fall. He ran a tire test here recently, and AJ hasn't been shy about how much he's looking forward to going back to Dover.

I think there's a lot to be said about momentum in Nascar, and nobody has more than Carl Edwards right now. He's got 9 top 10s here in the last 10 races. The other was an 11th. His two teammates run pretty well here too.

Summary -- I like Ford this week.

[Optional]

About time they had a chance to flex some of that FR9 muscle again!

Don't forget Biffle either. He has gone 6th, 3rd, 3rd, 6th, 8th in his last five spring races here.


*Edit Oops. I see you hadn't forgotten him.

[ATP123]

not kidding, ive got JJ in this race at dover and AJ in the next in my pool.... almost think burton is due for a breakout race as well

[fleeced]

was nice to see regan smith finally get a W, now for a 2nd

[avssakic]

Biffle and Edwards should contend

[Optional]

5D openers

Jimmie Johnson +530
Kyle Busch +530
Carl Edwards +775
Denny Hamlin +980
Tony Stewart +1300
Kevin Harvick +1300
Jeff Gordon +1300
Greg Biffle +1700
Matt Kenseth +2000
Kurt Busch +2000
Clint Bowyer +2200
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +2200
Kasey Kahne +2800
Jeff Burton +2800
Joey Logano +3300
Ryan Newman +3300
Mark Martin +3300
Juan Pablo Montoya +3900
Jamie McMurray +3900
Brian Vickers +4000
David Reutimann +5500
Martin Truex Jr. +5500

[hawk 5]

Have to go with Jimmie +530 and Edwards +775. Newmans pretty good here.

[Optional]

I like Carl at that price.

[the-phenomenal-1]

bet

bet on kenseth for the money good payout

[your pixel army]

I thought this was interesting--- from the ESPN power rankings.

Martin won his first Dover pole when Reagan was president and his second under George H.W. Bush. His first three Dover wins came with Clinton, the fourth with Dubya. Time to get that Obama stat.

This is Mark's favorite track, but is he worth much of a look with how this season has been going? He's been fast at times this year---just has gotten caught up in incidents that have hurt his finishes. He's also been a no-show a few times at places where you'd expect him to be strong.

[your pixel army]

I know I'm probably setting myself up for disappointment, but these articles are getting me so excited for this race. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks AJ's got a real shot this weekend.

AJ Allmendinger Pumped for Dover, Ready to be Nascar's Next New Winner

http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=10412

[Optional]

Convinced me YPA. I'm tailing you. Took him +7500 for the win and +2200 for a top 3.

[hawk 5]

Might try a top 5 if its available.

[your pixel army]

Well, don't be too upset if I'm wrong---being right about a 75:1 isn't too common!

I think we're going to learn a lot about who has is going to win this race in practice and qualifying. There is usually a dominant car or two--and for our sake, I'm hoping they become apparent during practice.

[avssakic]

Like biffles price a lot but will probably wait till prac and q to make any bets

[ATP123]

yeah how can AJ be that high? seriously he was dominant

[shaunovery]

I've just backed aj at Bet365 @80-1 1/4 odds 1.2.3.4

[hawk 5]

Raining out here. Looks like beer and practice for me today.Try to get the wife to cook me some good finger food to go with the beer.

[Optional]

I'm already thinking about a big fat steak, some sausages and some shrimp kebabs on the barbie. Think I'll start the beer now.

[fleeced]

carl edwards pushed by kyle and or gordon

[your pixel army]

First Practice:
1. Jimmie
2. AJ
3. Jr.
4. Kahne
5. Logano

10 Lap averages
1. JJ
2. Ky. Busch
3. Martin
4. AJ
5. Kenseth

[Optional]

Hendrick cars all looked good.

[your pixel army]

Hey, I got a question. Is the qualifying order set by the driver's fastest lap in either qualifying session? Or just happy hour (or w/e practice immediately comes before qualifying)?

[Optional]

Fastest of combined sessions.

[your pixel army]

Fastest of combined sessions.

Good, that's what I was hoping. AJ qualifies 2nd last then, JJ last (of non go-or-go-homers).

[rickie65]

wish i could find aj in one of my books

[your pixel army]

Hey Opti, I have one more question. If qualifying is rained out, is the starting grid set by owner's points or by qualifying position?

** Nevermind. Actually found the answer. But, if anybody else was curious, the starting grid is now set by practice speeds (as opposed to owner's points) for the top-35.

[onlooker]

5 Hour Energy 200

Carl Edwards +175
Kyle Busch +200

[ATP123]

rainout lands AJ in the 2 hole, looking good

[Optional]

Rain rain go away... I actually want a Kyle Busch win today.

Commentators keep talking like they can't go past dark, as no lights, but they seemed to have lights during trucks last night.

[shaunovery]

Wild finish thought Lagano should of won

[Optional]

Logano needed a matched set of tires to pull off that move.

Would have been a bad beat for Carl to lose that one I think.

[shaunovery]

Yep I agree logano too loose making the pass hope the rain doesn't spoil tomorrows race I'm on aj @ 80/1

[shock11]

another rain mess on sunday

[onlooker]

another rain mess on sunday

Man. Not sure I want to wager on a "rain" strategy race. Do they stay out? Do they pit? Will it go the full 400 laps? Will it go halfway and some lower caliber driver stays out and gets the rained out win?

Weather report for Dover on Sunday?