PREDICTIONS: Montoya could make it two straight for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
Who could have predicted that Jamie McMurray would win the Daytona 500? Or that top contenders like Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne would all wind up with disappointing finishes.
The surprising conclusion to the season-opening race certainly stumped our panel of experts. Only Kris Johnson's pick to win the race ? Dale Earnhardt Jr. ? wound up in contention, giving him the only top-five finish among our picks.
But this week is a different story as the Sprint Cup Series takes on Auto Club Speedway in California, a much more predictable track and race.
The SceneDaily.com staff will bring you our picks and analysis each week and keep a running tally of how we do.
Here's a look at who we think will be hot this weekend at California:
Kenny Bruce says:
CARL EDWARDS
Edwards has an impressive record at Auto Club Speedway, with one win and six top-five finishes in 11 career starts at the 2-mile track. Maybe even more impressive is the fact that he?s finished outside the top 10 only once during his career.
His 31st-place starting position likely won?t be a problem either ? teammate Matt Kenseth won from the same spot in 2006. In fact, Roush Fenway Racing drivers have won the February race here for five consecutive years. Which is yet another reason to pencil in a reservation for 99 in victory lane.
Top Five:
1. Carl Edwards
2. Clint Bowyer
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Kurt Busch
5. Jimmie Johnson
Kris Johnson says:
JEFF GORDON
Taking a shot on one of the California-bred drivers, and doing so on this basis: Gordon finished second in both events at Auto Club Speedway last year. Oh, and he finished runnerup in both races at ACS's sister track in the Irish Hills of Michigan in 2009, as well. He struck fairly early last year to win at Texas in the seventh race, but the guess here is Gordon gets a victory much sooner in 2010.
Top Five:
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Kyle Busch
5. Juan Pablo Montoya
Bob Pockrass says:
MARK MARTIN
Yeah, he's starting 10th. But what's more important is that he led practice. I don't care if some teams were preparing for rain and didn't take a qualifying lap in practice, Martin is fast. The other thing is, with a new tire combination it takes a great driver and crew chief to know just how fast and how long they can go on these tires. Martin and crew chief Alan Gustafson will be tough to beat.
Top Five:
1. Mark Martin
2. Jeff Burton
3. Clint Bowyer
4. Jamie McMurray
5. Jimmie Johnson
Jeff Owens says:
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
Montoya sustains the momentum he built last year and finally breaks the victory drought. He led 78 laps and finished third in the last race at California and hit the track strong on Friday. He will serve notice Sunday that he will be a serious contender again this season, giving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing its second straight victory.
Top Five:
1. Juan Pablo Montoya
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Mark Martin
4. Greg Biffle
5. Kasey Kahne
SCENEDAILY.com 2010 SEASON STANDINGS
1. Kris Johnson
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 1
Last week?s pick: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Points: 175
2. Jeff Owens
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 0
Last week?s pick: Kyle Busch
Points: 126
3. Bob Pockrass
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 0
Last week?s pick: Tony Stewart
Points: 97
4. Kenny Bruce
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 0
Last week?s pick: Kasey Kahne
Points: 78
Who could have predicted that Jamie McMurray would win the Daytona 500? Or that top contenders like Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne would all wind up with disappointing finishes.
The surprising conclusion to the season-opening race certainly stumped our panel of experts. Only Kris Johnson's pick to win the race ? Dale Earnhardt Jr. ? wound up in contention, giving him the only top-five finish among our picks.
But this week is a different story as the Sprint Cup Series takes on Auto Club Speedway in California, a much more predictable track and race.
The SceneDaily.com staff will bring you our picks and analysis each week and keep a running tally of how we do.
Here's a look at who we think will be hot this weekend at California:
Kenny Bruce says:
CARL EDWARDS
Edwards has an impressive record at Auto Club Speedway, with one win and six top-five finishes in 11 career starts at the 2-mile track. Maybe even more impressive is the fact that he?s finished outside the top 10 only once during his career.
His 31st-place starting position likely won?t be a problem either ? teammate Matt Kenseth won from the same spot in 2006. In fact, Roush Fenway Racing drivers have won the February race here for five consecutive years. Which is yet another reason to pencil in a reservation for 99 in victory lane.
Top Five:
1. Carl Edwards
2. Clint Bowyer
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Kurt Busch
5. Jimmie Johnson
Kris Johnson says:
JEFF GORDON
Taking a shot on one of the California-bred drivers, and doing so on this basis: Gordon finished second in both events at Auto Club Speedway last year. Oh, and he finished runnerup in both races at ACS's sister track in the Irish Hills of Michigan in 2009, as well. He struck fairly early last year to win at Texas in the seventh race, but the guess here is Gordon gets a victory much sooner in 2010.
Top Five:
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Kyle Busch
5. Juan Pablo Montoya
Bob Pockrass says:
MARK MARTIN
Yeah, he's starting 10th. But what's more important is that he led practice. I don't care if some teams were preparing for rain and didn't take a qualifying lap in practice, Martin is fast. The other thing is, with a new tire combination it takes a great driver and crew chief to know just how fast and how long they can go on these tires. Martin and crew chief Alan Gustafson will be tough to beat.
Top Five:
1. Mark Martin
2. Jeff Burton
3. Clint Bowyer
4. Jamie McMurray
5. Jimmie Johnson
Jeff Owens says:
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
Montoya sustains the momentum he built last year and finally breaks the victory drought. He led 78 laps and finished third in the last race at California and hit the track strong on Friday. He will serve notice Sunday that he will be a serious contender again this season, giving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing its second straight victory.
Top Five:
1. Juan Pablo Montoya
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Mark Martin
4. Greg Biffle
5. Kasey Kahne
SCENEDAILY.com 2010 SEASON STANDINGS
1. Kris Johnson
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 1
Last week?s pick: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Points: 175
2. Jeff Owens
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 0
Last week?s pick: Kyle Busch
Points: 126
3. Bob Pockrass
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 0
Last week?s pick: Tony Stewart
Points: 97
4. Kenny Bruce
Wins: 0
Top-5s: 0
Last week?s pick: Kasey Kahne
Points: 78
