Pre-Race Top 5 - Checker Auto Parts 500

Before digging into this weeks race I'd like to offer the good folks at the Miccosukee Resort my sincere condolences on missing out on the Phoenix field. I'm not quite sure what you were thinking putting Mayfield in the 09, seeing as he only qualified 28th in the spring race. And that was in solid equipment, before the whole Evernham feud. Anyways, I'm happy to report that my Over/Under on retired rides for the Dickies 500 was spot on. I predicted eight wouldn't see the finish and eight is how many were parked by the end of the day. Once you get a sportsbook up and running, have your people call my people, and we'll deal...

Phoenix International Raceway is one of my favorite tracks on the Nextel circuit. The oddly shaped oval, with its varied banking (both straightaways and turns), remind me of a dirt track. Even the facility itself seems more suited to a World of Outlaws type crowd, with an austere pressbox, lights, baby-blue retaining walls, and overlooking sand mountain. I think that most of the drivers would agree with the comparison, especially with how they whip around the mile track, slideways as often as not. I caught a bit of the Truck race and those guys were simultaneously getting loose, trading paint, and getting their handle back. Seeing as the Nextel cars aren't exactly nimble, and the Chase ends next week, the Checker Auto Parts 500 should be a lot of fun.

5.Junior
4.Tony Stewart
3.Kyle Busch
2.Kevin Harvick
1.Matt Kenseth

O/U 5