We are now halfway through the 2008 NASCAR season and only 8 races away from the Chase for the Sprint Cup. This week we head to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL for the running of the LifeLock.com 400. This weekend will be the first night racing at Chicagoland and that can only mean better racing because the track surface will be much cooler.

            I am picking Jimmie Johnson to get back in the win column and visit victory lane here for the first time. Jimmie is always very stout at Chicagoland and Chad Knaus likes the night races. Jimmie could run away with this one.

            Kevin Harvick won the first 2 races ever run at Chicago in the Sprint Cup series. Kevin needs a real good run at a mile and a half track and this is the place he can get it. There are so many tracks on the circuit that are similar to this one so a good showing just gives you a lot of confidence heading to tracks like Kansas.

            Tony Stewart is another driver with 2 wins at Chicago. Hopefully, Tony has recovered from last weekend and will be 100% for this race. Tony has 5 top 5 finishes in his last 6 Chicago races and got the win here last year.

            Jeff Gordon has 4 top 5 finishes in his last 6 Chicago races with 1 win. Jeff would like to get his second win here and first of the year. This is one of the mile and a half tracks that Jeff runs well at. He really seems to struggle at most of the other ones.

            Matt Kenseth has quietly been having a great run lately. Six weeks ago many people were writing off Matt’s season but he has made a charge and is up to 9^th in the standings right now.  Matt has been the bridesmaid here twice and would like nothing better than to get a win here because it is the closest track to his hometown of Cambridge, WI.

            Once again it’s hard to bet against Kyle Busch anywhere this year. Kyle has only run 3 races at Chicago and has 1 top 5 finish. However, his worst finish here is just 14^th. Like I say every week. Kyle can win anywhere on any given day.

            Dale Earnhardt Jr. got a win here back in 2005 and should have probably won at least one more race here. Dale is another driver who loves to race on Saturday nights. This is really to the advantage of anyone who loves to run the high line like Junior does.

            Clint Bowyer has only 2 starts at Chicago but has finished in the top 10 both times. Clint also won at Kansas last year and that track is very similar to this one. Clint needs a good run this weekend to maintain a spot in the Chase.

            Kasey Kahne has been one of the hottest drivers lately and should be very strong once again this weekend. The Evernham teams have found a combination of handling and power that are making them very competitive every week.

            Yahoo Picks for Chicagoland

            Group A

            Jimmie Johnson (starter)

            Tony Stewart

            Group B

            Kasey Kahne (starter)

            Casey Mears (starter)

            Dale Earnhardt Jr.

            Ryan Newman

            Group C

            Travis Kvapil (starter)

            Brian Vickers

            Top 5 Overall at Chicagoland

1.      Jimmie Johnson

2.      Tony Stewart

3.      Kevin Harvick

4.      Kyle Busch

5.      Jeff Gordon

Dark Horse: Casey Mears

Stay Away From: Martin Truex Jr.

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