Bristol Predictions

Originally Posted on March 23, 2006 on Foxsports.com

Nascar is at Bristol this weekend, and it is guaranteed to generate some controversy.  Short tracks like Bristol lead to short tempers and shorter patience. 

Last year in the spring race, Jeff Burton got upset at Jimmie Johnson for spinning him out.  Tony Stewart managed to 360 without hitting anything, and in the Busch race, Dale Jarrett had a run in with Shane Hmiel which involved an "unapproved gesture."  The gesture generated penalties - and the confrontation itself generated the discussion of whether young drivers showed enough respect to the veterans.  And who could forget the fall race when Ryan Newman spun out Dale Jarrett, who came back on track and spun Newman out.

I think this year could turn out to be even more interesting.  After this race, the current point standings are used for the 35 guaranteed spots.  Who is in trouble?  From 30th place on:  Carl Edwards (30th), Jeff Green (31st), Scott Riggs (32nd), Dave Blaney (33rd), Jeremy Mayfield (34th), David Stremme (35th), Brent Sherman (36th), Kevin LePage (37th), Bobby Labonte (38th), Sterling Marlin (39th), Scott Wimmer (40th).  Where the rubber meets the road, is if there is a rain out of qualifying after Bristol - there could be regulars who don't start the race because of the points standings.  Don't think that bumping the guy who happens to be in front of you in points and on the track won't cross some drivers' minds on Sunday.

Secondly, there are several drivers who have had serious trouble this year - Kurt Busch is in 27th place, Greg Biffle is in 21st, Carl Edwards is in 30th and Kevin Harvick is in 23rd.  All of these drivers have had uncharacteristic trouble and just plain bad luck.  Bristol is the perfect place to take out your frustrations (or get revenge).

One guy to watch:  Tony Stewart.  He's had several run ins this year with Kyle Busch.  It is inevitable that the two will race near each other at some point during the race.  There's also Matt Kenseth.  And don't forget that Stewart and Gordon never followed through with the "car crash wars" from Dover last spring and now have the Daytona run in to consider.

Dale Jarrett and Ryan Newman will be back at the scene of their last skirmish, as will Jeff Burton and Jimmie Johnson.   Has anyone apologized?  I forget who blamed who or whether anyone "kissed and made up"  I'm sure the drivers remember.

Finally, Chad Knaus will be back on top of Johnson's pit box.  His presence should cause some of a stir in the garage.  Any doubts that his time off has given him time to come up with some new and innovative interpretations of the nascar rule book?