Turn 4 Transitions

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

By Natalie Anthony

 

 

 

Subway Fresh Fit 500

April 18, 2009 (Saturday) – 8:00 pm – FOX

 

                                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three weeks ago when the Sprint Cup series was headed to Martinsville, I mentioned to a colleague of mine that Jimmie Johnson looked like a good pick for the race, but when he mentioned Phoenix as a great track for the reigning champion, I blurted out without thinking that Kyle Busch would run the Phoenix races this year.  Even though Jimmie Johnson has won the last three races at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) is seemed as though my NASCAR subconscious was trying to tell me something.  Based on the race facts, I clearly would not be thinking straight, but there might be more to it than that. Kyle Busch has won before a PIR (2005) and is an easy pick for a Top ten, especially considering who we are talking about and his recent success at any track.  Maybe I know something I don’t know, (Phoenix – hot, Kyle is from Las Vegas – hot there too) but I will have to wait until Saturday night to find out.

 

            Mark Martin. Would NASCAR please throw this driver a bone?  His level of commitment, experience, and drive has gotten him a golden seat at Hendrick Motorsports, but Mark is still coming up short in the winning department; which is no fault of his own.  I hope Mr. Hendrick didn’t drop Kyle Busch to get Mark in order to complete a team that is built on wisdom and experience.  No real young guns in that group.  Besides his teammate Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin is the next driver in line up that has the best finishes at PIR.  And speaking of Hendrick, Jeff Gordon has finally come out of his shell.  Jeff grabbed his first win in 47 races and is still ranked number one in the point standings.  No chance of him loosing that spot this weekend since Jeff is a definite Top ten man at Phoenix.

 

            Can the success of a newly formed team be gauged accurately based on a few races into their first season?  Yes, but you would have to be the co-owner and senior driver named Tony Stewart.  Both Tony and his newest best friend and teammate Ryan Newman have the skills to get things done, but I think that Tony will be the force to get the coveted first win for Stewart-Haas Racing.  Tony has won before at PIR (1999), and has come scarily close to winning again five other times. 

 

 

Subway Fresh Fit 500  

(April 12, 2008)                                              

Top 10 Results  

1.  Jimmie Johnson       

2.  Clint Bowyer          

3.  Denny Hamlin         

4.  Carl Edwards         

5.  Mark Martin           

6.  Jeff Burton              

7.  Dale Earnhardt Jr.   

8.  Martin Truex Jr.

9.  Greg Biffle  

10. Kyle Busch

 

 

 

Post Questions & Comments to:

NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com