Gettin Loose...9/26

Since I am the resident NASCAR expert, well, I am supposed to be anymore, you can't tell by the fantasy standing right now, I am going to be doing a weekly post about anything and everything that has to do with the coming week in NASCAR. Probably give you a top 10 or so and some predictions for the weekend and if anything else big happens I will talk about that too.

If you have any questions relating to NASCAR just email it to me and I will definitely address right here on the homepage of the blog on Fridays.

I know there is only 8 weeks left in the season so you are probably asking why start now and there are two reasons. One is that its chase time so what better time to start and two this is a good practice season for next year so I can go racing with all of you when they get to Daytona in February.

So lets drop the green flag on Gettin Loose and get after it!

This week's stop for NASCAR is Kansas Motor Speedway in the heartland of America. Greg Biffle is the hottest guy on the circuit right now being that he has one the last two races and has jumped all the way to a tie for second in the points with Jimmie Johnson just behind Carl Edwards. If you read my only other post on NASCAR I actually picked Carl to win the points so that is not unexpected to me. Biffle's strong runs however are but I don't see him stopping this week. Greg has been great on this track in the past and I definitely think he will be vying for his third straight win come Sunday afternoon.

Some other drivers that I think will contend this weekend are Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Johnson and Carl Edwards.

Clint Bowyer loves these flat D shaped ovals so I can definitely see him running well. Jeff Gordon has won here twice in the past and needs a strong run to stay in contention. Kyle Busch has to run well one of these weeks, right? Jimmie Johnson runs good at every track, especially when its crunch time and Carl Edwards, I just feel is dialed in right now and will definitely be there at the end.

The driver I think will win this weekend's race however is Tony Stewart. Stewart won this race in 2006 and is flat-out due to win. I think this is a track Tony is good at and he would love to get one final win for Gibbs before he leaves to start his new team next season.

The top story off the track this week was Red Bull racing parting ways with A.J. Allmendinger and signing Scott Speed to take over the 84 car next season. I am not sure if this is a huge deal only because team Red Bull isn't a serious player yet in NASCAR so I am really not sure if anyone would do well in this car. From what I understand Speed has been doing well in the truck series and is a young, brash, volatile personality that Red Bull likes. Fair enough, I guess. Sprint Cup and truck are two totally different animals however. Allmendinger has never really impressed me but from watching some shows on tv this week he has impressed some people in the garage, so I expect he will get a ride next season. The 41 car in the Ginassi stable is the most likely place according rumors circulating right now.

Now onto my top ten heading to Kansas!

10. Matt Kenseth - A second last week has him moving up, so a strong run this weekend is much needed.
9. Jeff Gordon - 7th place last week helps but he needs a few good runs in a row to really make any noise.
8. Kyle Busch - Two bad finishes but before that he was the man and that counts for something.
7. Tony Stewart - He has been consistent and if I'm right this weekend he will be right there.
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - All he needs is a few good runs because this team is right there and wants it bad.
5. Kevin Harvick - 8 straight top 10's. Who knew? I did and he is right there as well.
4. Jeff Burton - Another incredibly consistent year. Just needs a win and we would be talking way more about him.
3. Jimmie Johnson - 2 straight titles and 10 points away makes it seem crazy that I have him at number 3. Tells you something about the top 2.
2. Greg Biffle - 2 chase races, 2 wins.
1. Carl Edwards - Even with Biffle winning two in a row he is still winning the points and this weekend should be another top 5 run.

Like I said fans, if you have any questions or think my top 10 is crazy send me an email at jumpingoffsides@aol.com. I will talk to you next week when we are on our way to the Talladega!