After a week off we return to the track for the second restrictor plate race of the year at Talladega for the running of the Aaron’s 499. The Dodge’s and Toyota’s dominated at Daytona earlier this season and I think you should stick with them this week until the other makes can show improvement. Dodge claimed 6 of the top 8 spots at Daytona with Toyota taking the other 2.

            My pick to win this week is Kurt Busch. Kurt pushed teammate, Ryan Newman to victory at Daytona earlier this season and has 7 straight top 10 finishes at Talladega. He definitely isn’t having his best season, with ill handling cars and mechanical failures but he knows how to get around Talladega in the draft.

            Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. each have 5 wins at Talladega but I’m not sure if the Chevy’s have what it takes at the restrictor plate tracks right now. Junior was the top Chevy finisher at Daytona in 9^th place and there has been a lot of work put into the engines and testing in the wind tunnel after Daytona.

            Tony Stewart has come so close at Talladega finishing second 6 times during his career. Tony should be there at the end once again this weekend and it is going to depend on who is behind him at the end of the race to see if he can visit victory lane.

            That’s what it comes down to at the end of a restrictor plate race. Who is behind you and are they going to push you or are they going to pull out and try to win the race. The drivers have to hope that when they look in the rearview mirror at the end of the race they see one of their best friends and not one of their enemies.

            There really isn’t much more to say for a restrictor plate race and you will see by my roster that I am sticking with the Dodge’s and Toyota’s this weekend. There will be more to talk about next week when we head to Richmond.

            Yahoo Picks for Talladega

            Group A

            Kurt Busch (starter)

            Tony Stewart

            Group B

            Ryan Newman (starter)

            Kasey Kahne (starter)

            Kyle Busch

            Reed Sorenson

            Group C

            David Reutimann (starter)

            Brian Vickers

            Top 5 Overall at Talladega

1.      Kurt Busch

2.      Tony Stewart

3.      Kyle Busch

4.      Denny Hamlin

5.      Kasey Kahne

Dark Horse: Reed Sorenson

Stay Away From: Clint Bowyer

As always you can Email me with any questions, comments or suggestions at gutsamaniac@hotmail.com. Good luck once again this week.