NASCAR- Bristol Food City 500
Who Will Win the First Car Of Tomorrow Race?
When the green flags waves at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon, it will usher in a brand new era for the NASCAR Nextel Cup series.
Unless you reside under a rock, you are aware that the Food City 500 will be the inauguration of the Car Of Tomorrow.
The Car Of Tomorrow is expected to alter the racing a bit, but it is still Bristol. It is still the half-mile bullring banked at a towering 38 degrees in the turns. No other ticket is as coveted as a ticket to the Bristol Motor Speedway, especially this weekend’s race considering that it is a defined glimpse into the future of NASCAR.
With the debut of the Car Of Tomorrow, this weekend’s race will absorb all NASCAR fans, including the new car’s most stern detractors.
Who will win the first Car of Tomorrow race? Jeff Burton. In last month’s practice sessions at Bristol, a lot of teams reverted back to setups used some five to ten years ago. Well, not many drivers won more races than Jeff Burton in the time period. And Burton’s team has already showed that they will be one of the teams to beat for the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup championship. Along with having a fast car, Burton is a savvy veteran who is capable of keeping his nose clean. With all of the unknowns surrounding this weekends race, it may take added vigilance to win the first Car of Tomorrow race. And keep in mind that Burton led the most laps the last time the series visited Bristol last August in the Car of Yesterday.
From what I have recently gathered, Richard Childress Racing, Penske Racing, and Hendrick Motorsports are ahead of the curve when it comes to the Car Of Tomorrow, so look out for Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and Ryan Newman.
Projected Top Ten
1. Jeff Burton
2. Kurt Busch
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Ryan Newman
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Ricky Rudd
8. Greg Biffle
9. Tony Stewart
10. Jimmie Johnson
Darkhorse picks: Sterling Marlin, Bobby Labonte, Denny Hamlin, Elliott Sadler, Jamie McMurray
Who needs a strong finish: All Toyota Drivers, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, Ward Burton, Casey Mears
Friday March 23-
3:30 PM ET- NASCAR Nextel Cup Qualifying, SPEED
Saturday March 24-
10:00 AM ET- NASCAR Nextel Cup Practice, SPEED
12:30 PM ET- NASCAR Nextel Cup Final Practice (Happy Hour), SPEED
Sunday March 25-
1:30 PM ET- Food City 500, at Bristol Motor Speedway, FOX
