Fast Forward ~ The Irwin Tools Night Race At Bristol 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: Bristol Motor Speedway
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
Length: .533 Mile Oval
Banking: 24-30 degrees in turns 1-2;
24-30 degrees in turns 3-4;
4-9 degrees on the backstretch,
4-9 on the front
Pit Road Speed: 30 MPH
The Race: The Irwin Tools Night Race
500 Laps/ 266.5 Miles
Defending Champion: Matt Kenseth 90.279 MPH
Most recent winner: Carl Edwards 84.051 MPH
Track Record: Charlie Glotzbach, July 1971, 101.074 MPH
Race Record: Charlie Glotzbach, July 1971, 101.074 MPH
Qualifying Record: Denny Hamlin, March 14, 2014, 129.991mph
TV:ESPN, 7:30 PM EST
Radio: SiriusXM 90, PRN (www.goprn)
The History:
July 30th, 1961- The first race at Bristol was the Volunteer 500, and was run on Johnny Allen took the checkered flag, but he was driving in relief for official race winner Jack Smith.
1969-Track was reconfigured and remeasured. Banking was increased to 36 degrees.
1992-Speedway surface was changed from asphalt to concrete.
1996-Track owner Larry Carrier sold Bristol to Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
August 28th, 1999- Dale Earnhardt, Sr. becomes the oldest winner at the track at 48 years, 3 months, 30 days.
March 25, 2007-Kyle Busch becomes the youngest winner at the track at 21 years, 10 months, 23 days.
August 2010-Kyle Busch becomes the first driver to sweep a three race weekend, winning the Camping World Truck Series race on Wednesday, The Nationwide Series race on Friday, and the Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday.
The Contenders:
Top 10 Driver Ratings
at Bristol
Kyle Larson............................... 104.5
Matt Kenseth............................. 102.7
Kyle Busch............................... 101.7
Jeff Gordon.............................. 100.6
Brad Keselowski......................... 95.9
Greg Biffle.................................. 93.7
Jimmie Johnson.......................... 91.2
Kurt Busch.................................. 90.7
Denny Hamlin............................. 90.7
Kevin Harvick.............................. 90.3
Note: Driver Ratings
compiled from 2005-2014 races (19 total) among active
drivers at Bristol Motor Speedway
Race Pro Picks!
Before we get to the picks for this week, let’s review how we did last week. Darrell, Vivian and the dreaded Mr. Pole scored wins, solidifying their respective chase spots.
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
|
Mr. Seven |
11 |
37 |
898 |
935 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mr. Pole |
24 |
47 |
872 |
919 |
-16 |
5 |
2 |
|
Darrell |
24 |
47 |
819 |
866 |
-69 |
3 |
2 |
|
Vivian |
24 |
47 |
807 |
854 |
-81 |
4 |
2 |
|
Mr. Winner |
22 |
43 |
789 |
832 |
-103 |
1 |
2 |
|
PattyKay Lilley |
4 |
42 |
785 |
827 |
-108 |
1 |
1 |
|
Brian Marchetti |
16 |
34 |
766 |
800 |
-135 |
1 |
2 |
|
Jim Fitzgerald |
2 |
37 |
763 |
800 |
-135 |
1 |
2 |
|
Nate |
88 |
40 |
755 |
795 |
-140 |
1 |
3 |
|
Alabama Fitz |
4 |
42 |
726 |
768 |
-167 |
2 |
4 |
|
Barbara |
20 |
6 |
758 |
764 |
-171 |
1 |
3 |
|
Kevin Abraham |
16 |
34 |
715 |
749 |
-186 |
2 |
4 |
|
If Playoff Started Today |
|
|||||||
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Chase Pts |
Mr. Pole |
24 |
47 |
872 |
919 |
-16 |
5 |
2 |
2015 |
Vivian |
24 |
47 |
807 |
854 |
-81 |
4 |
2 |
2012 |
Darrell |
24 |
47 |
819 |
866 |
-69 |
3 |
2 |
2009 |
Alabama Fitz |
4 |
42 |
726 |
768 |
-167 |
2 |
4 |
2006 |
Kevin Abraham |
16 |
34 |
715 |
749 |
-186 |
2 |
4 |
2006 |
Mr. Winner |
22 |
43 |
789 |
832 |
-103 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
PattyKay Lilley |
4 |
42 |
785 |
827 |
-108 |
1 |
1 |
2003 |
Brian Marchetti |
16 |
34 |
766 |
800 |
-135 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
2 |
37 |
763 |
800 |
-135 |
1 |
2 |
2003 |
Nate |
88 |
40 |
755 |
795 |
-140 |
1 |
3 |
2003 |
Barbara |
20 |
6 |
758 |
764 |
-171 |
1 |
3 |
2003 |
Mr. Seven |
11 |
37 |
898 |
935 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2000 |
ALABAMA FITZ: Going out on a bit of a limb at Bristol with Matt Kenseth, the man with the "big picture". This is a beat 'em up, bang 'em up, survivor race...a Kyle Busch kind of thing, and he would be my dark horse here. But Matt is the defending Champ of this race, plus he still needs a win. This week, he gets it done. He didn't do well driving Fords at Bristol, but he wins in only his third race at Bristol in a Toyota? That talks to me. He finished 13th here in the spring race but that's still better than the 20's and 30's he was doing in the Fords.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Yep, as "they" say, "It's Bristol Baby" and it's probably tougher to pick a winner at this snotty little cement nightmare than it is to predict the outcome at Talladega. Shake 'em up and throw those dice! No one can claim a really good record at Bristol, and in recent years, she's been in three distinctly different configurations. For that reason, I narrowed my sights this week and looked at only the past couple of years. Amazingly, doing that produces something of a standout on this old track. (New track actually) It's the winner of this year's "hard luck and bad breaks" award, and I'm going with him for what I think will be my first time this year. Mama will be riding to the checkers in the #5 with Kasey Kahne. Seeya when you get there...
ALABAMA FITZ: I thought about Kasey, PattyKay, and checked him out, but I went with Matt because he has more to gain. I'm hoping I didn't get lured in by his success with the Toyota.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I’ve just been waiting for the press conference that announces my pick for Saturday to be announced to drive for Joe Gibbs next year. That's right, I put aside my dislike of this driver and respect he is one of the best concrete drivers today. I pick Carl Edwards to sweep Bristol this weekend.
ALABAMA FITZ: Carl Edwards, eh Kevin?? H-m-m-m-m. I think most of us agree he is the best concrete driver around. Of course, the wild cards to look out for here, because of their aggressive driving styles are Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman. That's why this track is so scary. Add to that group, Kasey Kahne, who is also somewhat of a "pushy" driver, and he needs a win. So, even though Carl may be the best, there are three wild cards out there that I feel will have a definite impact on the outcome of Saturday's race. When I say "impact", I mean that in every sense of the word. Unless Kyle Busch takes himself out, I expect him to be around at the end and pushing hard for the finish line. It could be that everybody else could be "Busch fodder".
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Kyle Busch needs to finish inside the top 30 in a race before I can seriously look at him as a pick. 42, 40, 39 in the last 3 races scare me off from him this week. they look more like Start and Park numbers, not a driver in the Chase.
ALABAMA FITZ: It wasn't that long ago Kevin, that Kyle Busch "owned" this track. He has won back to back races here twice, and it wasn't that long ago. It wouldn't take much for him to return to form here. I've been mistaken before, but never wrong and I don't think I'm mistaken about Kyle here. He's just too risky to pick for me.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I realize that Fitz, but in the 'What have you done for me lately category', Edwards is more stable, and has good news this week of a big $$$$ contract signed and announced. Weight off the shoulders.
JIM FITZGERALD: Speaking of weight off the shoulders, at Bristol, I see two things happening, triggered by the same event. I see several sets of hopes and dreams getting shattered, and I see Kasey Kahne punching his ticket for the Chase as he rolls under the Checkered flag ahead of everyone else. I’m taking KK. Brian, what say you?
BRIAN MARCHETTI: I'm running with Matt Kenseth this week. He still needs that win, and although he is a proven competitor with Top 5s and Top 10s, Matt is a winner, and he wants a trophy. I think the news that former brother Carl Edwards is sliding over to partner up again is a good sign, and Matt will enter this race with a clear head and great desire to prove he deserves the top spot. Matt's been his usual kind of quiet most of the season, but as I gambled many times this season, the guy is just due!!!! Kenseth takes the checkered flag at Bristol this week. I also expect the Blue Deuce to be right there with him.
JIM FITZGERALD: Let’s see who our fans are picking this week!
Darrell: Okay going out on a limb here. This is my boys chance to get in the Chase. He's been good at this track and I hope to see him victory Lane. I'm taking the number five car Kasey Kahne for the win.
Nate: Bristol. Passed by there this morning on our way home from North Carolina. Gonna go with Harvick this week..., he's due for another one.
Vivian: Tough one this week. Almost a crap shoot scenario. After much thinking - maybe this one or that one, I just drew a name from my Tony cap and it had Brad Keselowski on it. So that is my pick for Bristol.
Barbara: I’m going to be riding with Kasey Kahne this week at Bristol!
JIM FITZGERALD: Well, there looks like a lot of Kasey Kahne believers here this week. One things is for certain…three races remain, and that’s three chances for a driver on the outside looking into make his way into the Chase, or for one already there to put a few points of distance between him and the rest of the field. We’ll see how it all turns out next this weekend and talk about it next week here again, 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!