Greg Biffle qualified first for this weekend in Atlanta - does Jennifer Patterson think that makes him a favorite?

Atlanta Motor Speedway is the fastest track on the circuit, and this also makes it one of the favorites. It has a track configuration that is made for going fast— wide corners that allow you to carry speed throughout them and into the long back stretch, where you can build up even more speed. Something else that sets it apart and makes it fast is the surface of this track, which has not been touched in ten years – no resurfacing whatsoever. The well-weathered track has been unchanged and that is something the drivers appreciate.

It also has three grooves where a driver can run without any worries of bumping into anyone else. This gives drivers three different choices of lines to run, which will be needed. The track starts off fast, but as the race goes on, it gets slick and drivers have to slow down and figure out where they can run— high, low or in the middle. This aspect makes racing here a challenge and also makes for an interesting race to watch.

High speeds need good aerodynamics. Crews will want to get the cars as flat and close to the track as they can be with as little clearance as possible between the front spoiler and the asphalt.

A fast track for five hundred miles and at high sustained RPMs can lead to engine troubles. This is something a few teams have had issues with all year, so we could see a few DNFs this Sunday.

Three lanes of racing and fast speeds at Atlanta usually end up meaning one thing: an exciting finish. Do not be surprised to see side-by-side drag racing and bumping towards the finish line as the checker flag waves.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is my pick, but this is only if DEI gives him an engine that will last the five-hundred miles it needs to. Unfortunately, this has not been the case often this year, but I hold out hope for him and the red Budweiser number eight.

I hate picking the same drivers every week, but when you have some that dominate as much as Hendrick drivers have this year. The only hard part is choosing between Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.  I’m going to use a tried and true method and pick the one I want to win the most, Jeff Gordon.

The season is almost over and I feel the need to pick Denny Hamlin, but not for old time’s sake. He qualified eighteenth and said in a post-race interview that he felt he had a better car for racing.

Can Carl Edwards overcome all of the negative media coverage this week and win? I think he can. He seems positive in interviews and the comments by his teammates may give him some incentive to push himself to the front of the pack.

For my last pick, I am torn between Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman. I am heading out on a weak limb to pick Ryan Newman. He did not get the pole as he usually does – but that never bodes well for him in regards to winning. I feel better picking him while he is back in ninth place. The last few races, he has been aggressive and there with a chance for a win when the final laps were being run. If he can keep himself near the front of the pack, I foresee this happening again this week.

The driver with the most wins here with six is my dark horse pick this week. Bobby Labonte is still running very well every week and he qualified in the eleven spot, so he should have a good car this week. Hopefully, good enough to go for win number seven.

Starting Grid

Questions and comments may be sent to jenniferpatterson@sportsgrumblings.com