Fast Forward ~ Cheez-It 355 At Watkins Glen Fantasy Race Picks And Preview
“The future is like a corridor into which we can see only by the light coming from behind.”
–Edward Weyer, Jr.
The Track: Watkins Glen International Raceway
Location: Watkins Glen, New York
Length: 2.45 Mile Road Course
Banking: You Guess.
Pit Road Speed:45 MPH
The Race: The Cheez-It 355 at the Glen
90 Laps/ 220.5 Miles
Defending Champion: Kyle Busch, 87.001 MPH
Most recent winner: Kyle Busch, 87.001 MPH
Track Record: Mark Martin, 103.900 MPH, August 1995
Race Record: Mark Martin, 103.900 MPH, August 1995
Qualifying record: Marcos Ambrose, 128.241 MPH, August 2013
2013 Purse: $4,946,167
TV:ESPN, 1:00PM EST 8/10/2014
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) Sirius XM 90; www.MRN.com
The History:
1956-Opened as an official track after years of running on the streets of Watkins Glen
1957- First Sprint Cup Series Race, won by Buck Baker
1958-1963-The series took a 6-year break from running at The Glen
1966-1985-Cup cars again did not visit the track
1986-Cup Series returns
1996-Geoffrey Bodine becomes the oldest winner at 47 years, 3 months, 24 days.
2001- Jeff Gordon sets the record for closest finish with win over Jeff Burton by 0.172 seconds.
2008-Kyle Busch becomes the youngest winner at 23 years, 3 months, 8 days.
The Contenders:
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Watkins Glen
Tony Stewart............................. 120.4
Marcos Ambrose....................... 120.1
Kyle Busch............................... 113.3
Juan Pablo Montoya................. 110.5
Brad Keselowski....................... 102.8
Jimmie Johnson........................ 100.6
AJ Allmendinger.......................... 94.7
Carl Edwards.............................. 94.6
Martin Truex Jr............................ 92.8
Kurt Busch.................................. 91.8
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (nine total) among active drivers at Watkins Glen International.
The Picks:
As always, before we get into this week’s picks, let’s talk about last week. Alabama Fitz scored his second win of the season and has almost assured himself a Chase spot. That win erased what could have been a tight battle between Fitz and Kevin Abraham, but instead, Kevin finds himself alone in the cellar, and the only thing that can save him is a win.
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
|
Mr. Pole |
42 |
33 |
828 |
861 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
Mr. Seven |
1 |
37 |
824 |
861 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Vivian |
2 |
21 |
777 |
798 |
-63 |
3 |
2 |
|
Mr. Winner |
5 |
34 |
751 |
785 |
-76 |
1 |
2 |
|
Darrell |
2 |
21 |
755 |
776 |
-85 |
2 |
2 |
|
Jim Fitzgerald |
2 |
21 |
738 |
759 |
-102 |
1 |
2 |
|
Nate |
2 |
21 |
727 |
748 |
-113 |
1 |
2 |
|
PattyKay Lilley |
14 |
8 |
734 |
742 |
-119 |
1 |
1 |
|
Brian Marchetti |
24 |
40 |
683 |
723 |
-138 |
1 |
2 |
|
Barbara |
2 |
21 |
694 |
715 |
-146 |
1 |
2 |
|
Alabama Fitz |
88 |
47 |
636 |
683 |
-178 |
2 |
4 |
|
Kevin Abraham |
5 |
34 |
633 |
667 |
-194 |
1 |
4 |
|
If Playoff Started Today |
|
|||||||
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Chase Pts |
Mr. Pole |
42 |
33 |
828 |
861 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
2012 |
Vivian |
2 |
21 |
777 |
798 |
-63 |
3 |
2 |
2009 |
Darrell |
2 |
21 |
755 |
776 |
-85 |
2 |
2 |
2006 |
Alabama Fitz |
88 |
47 |
636 |
683 |
-178 |
2 |
4 |
2006 |
Mr. Winner |
5 |
34 |
751 |
785 |
-76 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
2 |
21 |
738 |
759 |
-102 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Nate |
2 |
21 |
727 |
748 |
-113 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
PattyKay Lilley |
14 |
8 |
734 |
742 |
-119 |
1 |
1 |
2003 |
Brian Marchetti |
24 |
40 |
683 |
723 |
-138 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Barbara |
2 |
21 |
694 |
715 |
-146 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Kevin Abraham |
5 |
34 |
633 |
667 |
-194 |
1 |
4 |
2003 |
Mr. Seven |
1 |
37 |
824 |
861 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2000 |
ALABAMA FITZ: Well, being the first pick in last week worked for me last week, I'm ready to try it again, so here it is. I looked at Bowyer because of two straight Top 10's here. I think he might pull it off. However, with six out of seven Top 5's (the only hiccup was last years 31st place finish) and possibly his last chance to make the Chase, I think I'll ride with Marcos Ambrose this week. Anyone joining me?
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Not joining you as I need a win. Nothing else matters at this point. I keep going back to Allmendinger to break through on a road course. I thought Sonoma was his to win. I am going for Allmendinger to lock me into the RFF Chase, as I am a complete race out in the points and the only thing that will get me into this Chase is a win. I know Mr. Seven agrees with my column last week. #ERASETHECHASE.
JIM FITZGERALD: So the road course masters are coming out for the second of their annual appearances...well, I don't see myself getting on that train. In fact, I'm playing defense now. My goal each week is to pick the safest of the best. So, while I agree that Ambrose should have a legitimate shot at winning, nothing is bulletproof, and let's admit that the Petty equipment may not always be where it needs to be in order to win a race. The risk/reward ratio is not enough for me to go down a strange road. Gone are the days of the road course ringers and skipping these events because your crew chief cannot figure out how to set up the car so it will properly turn right. No, everyone needs to be the total package now. For me, that's a guy who is going to have to overcome some confidence issues. Not in himself, but in his team and his engines. I'm taking Kyle Busch to win and rebound from a horrible Pocono outing.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Mama knew last week... heck, last year, whom she'd be picking at the Glen. Don't let the Ford fool ya! The reason I love the roads is because the driver counts for about 95% of where the car finishes. He's raced six races here and last year ended in an unfortunate crash not of his making. For the other five, his finishing average is 2!
ALABAMA FITZ: Looks like MamaK and I agree on this one, folks. Welcome aboard MamaK! This one could really lock both of us in near the top!
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Well, can't do "much" worse than 36th. Either way, I'll enjoy the race. This track is great and so are the races on it. Pity some guy named Brian doesn't think so. We need more of 'em, and we also need to #ERASETHECHASE!
BRIAN MARCHETTI: Okay, I’ve pondered all of the pondering, and made my decision. I'm an idiot no matter what I do, so I'm going to take Ambrose and ride even into next week. If I had some lugnuts about me, I'd take Brad just to stir the pot, and I really do expect a Top 5 out of him. Tony really had all of the right numbers, but who picks Tony in 2014? Kyle is a great pick, but I eat M&Ms on oval tracks, not a road course.
JIM FITZGERALD: And now let’s hear from our fans.
Barbara: Put me in for Ambrose at the Glen. I just plain like to watch him drive that course. But why should he quit winning now!?
Vivian: I like watching Ambrose on the road courses, but I am going to stand pat from last week and pick Brad Keselowski to win at the Glen.
Darrell: I will take Marcos Ambrose for the victory this week. He's been oh so close and has a great driver rating there. I predict this is his year.
Nate: I’m going with Stewart. I think it’s time for Smoke to get a win and what better track for him to get it?
JIM FITZGERALD: Well, the cards are on the table and all bets are placed. The only thing left to do is stand up and see what’s turned over. We’ll be here next week to go over any major happenings, but until then, keep the shiny side up!
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Alabama Fitz |
Jim Fitzgerald |
PattyKay Lilley |
Brian Marchetti |
Darrell |
Nate |
Who is YOUR pick to win this week?
Correctly choose the winner before the green flag drops on Sunday, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win some racing stuff!