The Pit Stall

I still have no idea what happened in this race beyond about 10 laps.  Another busy weekend for me between working and playing ball, so I just happened to sleep through most of the race, and was travelling for the last 60 or so laps. 

Mark Martin wins Southern 500 and poses with the trophy that is bigger than he is.

I think after 11 races in the season I’m ready to declare that one of 5 Hendrick (I include Stewart-Haas in this number) cars will be the champ.  This weekend 6 of 7 Hendrick cars finished 7th or better.  I don’t think that 7th car can stay with the status quo any longer…something needs to change.  I’d start with the crew chief. 

It was nice to see Keselowski follow up his ‘Dega win with a top 10.  Should be interesting to see what happens with him between now and the end of the season.  Will he hang around Henrick long enough to get a Cup ride, or will Jr move his Nationwide team up to the big show for him?

In my league, I won the spring segment, which doesn’t mean squat, but apparently I have a pretty little picture of a trophy now.  More importantly I gained another point on second place…working on giving myself a full race cushion in points.

Group 1 – Jeff Gordon(4) & Mark Martin(9)

I picked the winner in this group again this week, unfortunately I left him on the bench.  Another victory for Martin, who looks like he could give Jimmie and Jeff a run for their money in the Chase.  It’s hard to be too upset with leaving the winner on the bench when your other driver still drops a top 5.  Hendrick Motorsports is absolutely ridiculous this year.  I’ll keep burning Gordon starts early as long as he keeps ripping off top 5′s…that back issue could eventually be a problem.

Group 2 – Kurt Busch(5), Ryan Newman(7), Denny Hamlin(6), Brian Vickers(8)

Ryan Newman has really come on after that slow start, and is actually 3rd in points over the past 5 races.  He’s droppin top 5′s like they’re hot.  Kurt Busch had an OK finish, crossing the line in 16th position.  Was expecting a top 10, but this will do.  Hamlin finished 3 spots ahead of Busch, and Vickers was in an accident and finished several laps down in 31st.  I can’t say he was a serious consideration for the start…was pretty much just on the roster in hopes of a good qualifying effort.

Group 3 – Marcos Ambrose (5), Bobby Labonte(8)

This pick prevented me from being happy with my score this week.  Ambrose finished 33rd and Labonte 18th.  I’m still kicking myself for not starting Labonte, since Darlington is a track that tends to favour the experienced driver (then again Keselowski and Logano both had top 10s).  Ah well, I’m sure there will be several more brain-cramps as the season rolls on.

Recap

• Points for this race: 280 (Gordon, Ku. Busch, Newman, Ambrose)
• Most Possible Points: 382 (Martin (Kenseth qual), Stewart, Newman, Keselowski (Hornish qual))
• Season Points : 3176
• Current Place : 1st
• Lead over 2nd : 260
• Overall Percentile : 99th (1342 overall) 

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Filed under: Intermediates, Pit Picks by Site Admin - Monday, May 11th, 2009