Jeff Gordon leads the list of favorites to win the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta this weekend.
If you thought that the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was fast, well, just wait until the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit arrives at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this coming weekend.
Ever since NASCAR mandated the use of restrictor plates at Daytona International Speedway and Talladege Superspeedway in 1988, the Atlanta Motor Speedway has been dubbed as the fastest track in NASCAR.
In 1997, Geoffrey Bodine, of all people, set the track record with a speed of 197.478, the quickest speed ever posted in a stock car on a track other than Daytona and Talladega.
Who will win? Jeff Gordon has not won a Nextel Cup race since Chicagoland last July, 21 races ago, so it is safe to say that he is long overdue for a win. There are not many drivers in NASCAR that have experienced as much success at Atlanta as Gordon. Even though he has not won there since October of 2003, he has four career wins at the 1.54-mile speedway. Of all active Nextel Cup drivers, only Bobby Labonte has more wins (6) at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Gordon has finished second in successive races at California and Las Vegas, tracks that generate similar racing to Atlanta, therefore, he is right on the threshold of victory lane.
Projected Top Ten
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jeff Burton
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr
6. Carl Edwards
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Elliott Sadler
10. Dave Blaney
Darkhorse picks- Clint Bowyer, Bobby Labonte, Scott Riggs, Martin Truex Jr
Who needs a strong finish- Kasey Kahne, All Toyota drivers, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle
Friday March 16-
3:30 PM EST- NASCAR Nextel Cup Practice, SPEED
7:30 PM EST- NASCAR Nextel Cup Qualifying, SPEED
Saturday March 17-
10:00 AM EST- NASCAR Nextel Cup Practice
1:20 PM EST- NASCAR Nextel Cup Final Practice, aka Happy Hour, SPEED
Sunday March 18-
2:00 PM EST- Kobalt Tools 500, at Atlanta Motor Speedway, FOX (coverage begins at 1:30 PM)
