Here we are for Pocono 2, also called the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. Kasey Kahne won on this track last month. Kurt Busch is the defending champ of this race. Things will be different since the temperatures will be hotter making the track slicker. After the terrible race last weekend, this should prove to much more likeable. We'll see. Here is the starting line-up for the race.

08/03/08-Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500-Pocono Raceway-ESPN/1 p.m.

*There are NO rookie picks for this race*

1) 48-Jimmie Johnson-Chevrolet-Lowe's
2) 8-Mark Martin-Chevrolet-Steak-umm Burgers
3) 38-David Gilliland-Ford-FreeCreditReport.com
4) 24-Jeff Gordon-Chevrolet-DuPont
5) 17-Matt Kenseth-Ford-DEWALT
6) 12-Ryan Newman-Dodge-Avis
7) 9-Kasey Kahne-Dodge-Budweiser
8) 83-Brian Vickers-Toyota-Red Bull
9) 16-Greg Biffle-Ford-DISH Network Turbo HD
10) 2-Kurt Busch-Dodge-Miller Lite
11) 43-Bobby Labonte-Dodge-Cheerios / Betty Crocker
12) 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.-Chevrolet-AMP Energy / National Guard
13) 42-Juan Montoya-Dodge-Texaco / Havoline
14) 11-Denny Hamlin-Toyota-FedEx Express
15) 99-Carl Edwards-Ford-Office Depot
16) 6-David Ragan-Ford-AAA Insurance
17) 1-Martin Truex Jr.-Chevrolet-Bass Pro Shops / Tracker
18) 70-Tony Raines-Chevrolet-Haas Automation
19) 28-Travis Kvapil-Ford-Hitachi Power Tools
20) 20-Tony Stewart-Toyota-The Home Depot
21) 29-Kevin Harvick-Chevrolet-Shell / Pennzoil
22) 15-Paul Menard-Chevrolet-Energizer / Menards
23) 78-Joe Nemechek-Chevrolet-Furniture Row
/ DenverMattress.com
24) 22-Dave Blaney-Toyota-Caterpillar
25) 10-Terry Labonte-Dodge-Charter Comm.
26) 77-Sam Hornish Jr.*-Dodge-Mobil 1
27) 18-Kyle Busch-Toyota-M&M's
28) 44-David Reutimann-Toyota-UPS
29) 19-Elliott Sadler-Dodge-Best Buy / Garmin
30) 07-Clint Bowyer-Chevrolet-Jack Daniel's
31) 84-A.J. Allmendinger-Toyota-Red Bull
32) 41-Reed Sorenson-Dodge-Target
33) 5-Casey Mears-Chevrolet-Cheez-It / CARQUEST
34) 45-Chad McCumbee-Dodge-Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil
35) 00-Michael McDowell*-Toyota-Champion Mortgage
36) 01-Regan Smith*-Chevrolet-DEI / Principal Financial Group
37) 21-Bill Elliott-Ford-Little Debbie
38) 7-Robby Gordon-Dodge-Johns Manville / Menards
39) 31-Jeff Burton-Chevrolet-AT&T Team USA
40) 66-Scott Riggs-Chevrolet-Haas Automation
41) 26-Jamie McMurray-Ford-Crown Royal
42) 55-Michael Waltrip-Toyota-NAPA AUTO PARTS
43) 96-J.J. Yeley-Toyota-DLP HDTV

Jimmie Johnson: 2 w, 4 t5, 8 t10, avg.10.3 (13) (LW-2004)
Mark Martin: 19 t5, 30 t10, avg. 10.7 (43)
David Gilliland: avg. 29.7 (3)
Jeff Gordon: 4 w, 15 t5, 21 t10, avg. 10.3 (31)(LW-2007)
Matt Kenseth: 3 t5, 8 t10, avg. 14.4 (17)
Ryan Newman: 1 w, 5 t5, 6 t10, avg. 13.9 (13)(LW-2003)
Kasey Kahne: 1 w, 2 t5, 3 t10, avg. 17.7 (9)(LW-2008)
Brian Vickers: 4 t5, 4 t10, avg. 13.0 (9)
Greg Biffle: 1 t5, 2 t10, avg. 18.8 (11)
Kurt Busch: 2 w, 7 t5, 8 t10, avg. 14.2 (15)(LW-2007)
Bobby Labonte: 3 w, 5 t5, 9 t10, avg. 17.2 (31)(LW-2001)
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 5 t5, 6 t10, avg. 16.5 (17)
Juan Montoya: avg. 24.7 (3)
Denny Hamlin: 2 w, 4 t5, 5 t10, avg. 2.8 (5)(LW-2006)
Carl Edwards: 1 w, 2 t5, 3 t10, avg. 16.1 (7)(LW- 2005)
David Ragan: avg. 27.7 (3)
Martin Truex Jr.: 1 t5, 2 t10, avg. 15.2 (5)
Tony Raines: No stats
Travis Kvapil: avg. 24.8 (5)
Tony Stewart: 1 w, 5 t5, 13 t10, avg. 13.6 (19)(LW-2003)
Kevin Harvick: 1 t5, 4 t10, avg. 16.1 (15)
Paul Menard: avg. 26.3 (3)
Joe Nemechek: 2 t5, 4 t10, avg. 24.0 (27)
Dave Blaney: 2 t10, avg. 22.1 (17)
Terry Labonte: No stats
Sam Hornish Jr.*: avg. 42.0 (1)
Kyle Busch: 1 t5, 2 t10, avg. 20.0 (7)
David Reutimann: avg. 32.7 (3)
Elliott Sadler: 2 t10, avg. 20.4 (19)
Clint Bowyer: 2 t10, avg. 23.8 (5)
A.J. Allmendinger: avg. 25.5 (2)
Reed Sorenson: avg. 29.4 (5)
Casey Mears: 1 t5, 3 t10, avg. 20.8 (11)
Chad McCumbee: No stats
Michael McDowell*: avg. 27.0 (1)
Regan Smith*: avg. 28.0 (1)
Bill Elliott: No stats
Robby Gordon: 2 t10, avg. 27.1 (14)
Jeff Burton: 7 t5, 14 t10, avg. 16.4 (29)
Scott Riggs: 1 t10, avg.22.3 (9)
Jamie McMurray: 2 t10, avg. 22.5 (11)
Michael Waltrip: 3 t5, 6 t10, avg. 21.1 (44)
J.J. Yeley: avg. 19.5 (4)

Here are the cars qualifying for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge in Montreal Canada.

*Please look at the list because a lot of the normal drivers will not be here.*

08/02/08-NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge-Circuit Gilles Villeneuve-ESPN2/3 p.m.

0-Wheeler Boys-Chevrolet-SponsorDavis.com
1-Mike Bliss-Chevrolet-Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
01-Trevor Boys-Chevrolet-SponsorDavis.com
2-Clint Bowyer-Chevrolet-BB&T
4-Landon Cassill*-Chevrolet-Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
5-Ron Fellows-Chevrolet-GoDaddy.com
05-Burney Lamar-Ford-31-W Insulation / CertainTeed
6-David Ragan-Ford-Discount Tire
7-Mike Wallace-Toyota-GEICO
9-Patrick Carpentier*-Dodge-Subway
10-Justin Marks-Toyota-Furniture Electronics
16-Greg Biffle-Ford-3M
20-Joey Logano-Toyota-GameStop
22-TBA1-Dodge-Supercuts
24-Eric McClure-Chevrolet-Hefty
25-Boris Said-Ford-No Fear / Team Smithfield
27-Brad Coleman-Ford-Cottonelle
28-Kenny Wallace-Chevrolet-Jay Robinson Inc.
29-Scott Wimmer-Chevrolet-Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express
30-Stanton Barrett-Chevrolet-NOS Energy Drink
32-Jacques Villeneuve-Toyota-L'Equipeur / Ganotec
33-Ron Hornaday-Chevrolet-Camping World/ RVs.com
38-Jason Leffler-Toyota-Great Clips
40-Scott Pruett-Dodge-Fastenal
47-Kelly Bires-Ford-Clorox
52-Scott Gaylord-Ford-Means Racing
59-Marcos Ambrose-Ford-STP
60-Carl Edwards-Ford-CitiFinancial
64-Max Papis-Chevrolet-Atreus Homes & Communities
66-Steve Wallace-Chevrolet-5-Hour Energy
81-D.J. Kennington-Dodge-Mahindra Tractors
84-Mike Harmon-Chevrolet-Mike Harmon Racing
88-Brad Keselowski-Chevrolet-U.S. Navy
89-Morgan Shepherd-Dodge-Racing With Jesus
90-Don Thomson Jr.-Chevrolet-MSRP Motorsports
91-Scott Steckly-Chevrolet-MSRP Motorsports
99-David Reutimann-Toyota-Aaron's Dream Machine
109-Kevin O'Connell-Chevrolet-Gen'l Environmental Mgmt / Taleo Grill
111-Jason Keller-Chevrolet-America's Incredible Pizza Company
149-Derrike Cope-Chevrolet-Jay Robinson Inc.
161-Stan Barrett-Ford-Specialty Racing
162-Brandon Whitt-Ford-Specialty Racing
198-Alex Garcia-Chevrolet-Dixien / OmniSource Corp.
331-Kenny Hendrick-Chevrolet-INTERUSH

My picks:

Sprint - Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Nationwide - Patrick Carpentier (Unless he doesn't qualify, which he will do. It's his home track so he will make it.If not, I will change it then.)

I'll go with Kurt Busch in the Sprint race.

Scott Pruett in the Nationwide race.

May I please have:

48-Jimmie Johnson-Chevrolet-Lowe's for Pocono.

16-Greg Biffle-Ford-3M for the Nationwide.


Loki

Here is the starting line-up for the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge in Montreal:

1) 40- Scott Pruett
2) 64- Max Papis
3) 59- Marcos Ambrose
4) 9- Patrick Carpentier
5) 32- Jacques Villeneuve
6) 5- Ron Fellows
7) 25- Boris Said
8) 66- Steve Wallace
9) 27- Brad Coleman
10) 20- Joey Logano
11) 7- Mike Wallace
12) 33- Ron Hornaday
13) 10- Justin Marks
14) 38- Jason Leffler
15) 22- Andrew Ranger
16) 16- Colin Braun
17) 29- Scott Wimmer
18) 60- Carl Edwards
19) 4- Landon Cassill
20) 24- Brian Simo
21) 30- Stanton Barrett
22) 81- D.J. Kennington
23) 11- Jason Keller
24) 98- Alex Garcia
25) 1- Mike Bliss
26) 47- Kelly Bires
27) 28- Kenny Wallace
28) 88- Brad Keselowski
29) 2- Clint Bowyer
30) 6- Auggie Vidovich
31) 05- Burney Lamar
32) 99- Chris Cook
33) 49- Derrike Cope
34) 62- Brandon Whitt
35) 31- Jeff Fuller
36) 91- Scott Steckly
37) 52- Scott Gaylord
38) 0- Wheeler Boys
39) 90- Don Thomson
40) 84- Dale Quarterly
41) 89- Morgan Shepherd
42) 61- Stan Barrett
43) 01- Trevor Boys

Well, that was a very interesting race. The Nationwide series has made history today. It was their first ever race using rain tires. Why did they use rain tires? Can you guess why? Well Marcos Ambrose led the most laps but finished 2nd after a bad pit stop. (speeding down pit road and had to come back through pit road.) Ron Fellows got the lead and decided to stay out and take his chances on a big rain storm to come in and cause the race to be called finished. Well, the strategy worked and he won. I rather enjoyed the race since it was the first time they raced when it rained.

Anyway, here's the points standings as of now:

1) Deifan: 3103+170= 3273 (2)
2) Jokul: 3052+102= 3154 (22)
3) Blizz: 2675+142= 2817 (8)
4) Phalcon: 2571+130= 2721 (11)
5) Loki: 2450+134= 2584 (10)
6) Silver S: 2399+160= 2559 (4)
7) Rose: 2256+130= 2386 (11)
8) Windy: 1453+142= 1595 (8)
9) Matt: 1415
10) Ray: 1038+142= 1180 (8)
11) CG: 317+160=477 (4)

Congrats to all!

I think I'll stick with Kyle Busch for the Sprint Cup. Why not? We still have half the season to go.

Here are the picks for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500:

Deifan: D. Earnhardt Jr.
Ray: Kyle Busch
Phalcon: T. Stewart
Blizz: C. Edwards
Rose: Jimmie Johnson
Jokul: Kurt Busch
Loki: Jimmie Johnson
Silver: G. Biffle
Windy: J. Gordon
Matt: J. Johnson
Diva: David Ragan
Bluemonick: J. Johnson

Good luck to all!!

BOOGITY! BOOGITY! BOOGITY!

Oh man, what a race that was. Mark Martin was kickin' some serious butt for a long time then he had a pit stop and he spent the rest of the day trying to get back out front. But each pit stop for him got worse. Poor guy. Then Jimmie Johnson got out front and held it for a while. Then Carl Edwards (who won) got it. Then they had a caution just before the rain came. Kasey Kahne took a chance and stayed out. He was leading whenthe caution came out for the rain. But nobody could get tires or fuel then. This all screwed up the pit stops, knocking them out of order from what they would've normally been. This set up to see who made a mistake and who didn't. Well it looked like the ones who stayed out might possibly made the right call. NOT! They had to come on for fuel with 3 to 5 laps left to go. That put Carl Edwards back in the lead and the win. Many drivers ran out of fuel with 2 to go (Kyle Busch for one) and some on the last lap in the last turn. (Gordon and Earnhardt) This was an interesting fuel strategy race if I ever saw one.

Anyway, here are the points standings after the crazy race:

1) Deifan: 3438+132= 3570 (12)
2) (+1) Phalcon: 3386+170= 3556(2)
3) (+1) Blizz: 3357+190= 3547 (1)
4) (+1) Rose: 3354+170= 3524 (3)
5) (-3) Ray: 3433+55= 3488 (36)
6) Loki: 3080+170= 3250 (3)
7) (+1) Matt: 2952+170= 3122 (3)
8) (-1) Jokul: 3056+54= 3110 (38)
9) Silver: 2950+129= 3079 (13)
10) Windy: 2892+134= 3026(10)
11) Diva: 1808+160= 1968 (5)
12) Bluemonick: 549+170= 719 (3)

Congrats to all!

See you all next week at Watkins Glen International Raceway.

. o O (Now THAT'S the sort of thing that can really piss you off)